Driving Safety: Argentina vs. Spain - Key Differences
When comparing the driving regulations in Argentina and Spain, several notable distinctions emerge. From speed limits and overtaking rules to vehicle documentation and emergency contact numbers, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring safe travels. With Argentina allowing right-side overtaking and Spain implementing high-occupancy lanes, drivers must stay informed to navigate these diverse road landscapes effectively.
Lanes
| Argentina | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with signs and road markings. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
argentina:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
argentina:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
argentina:
Labeled with signs and road markings.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
argentina:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
argentina:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Argentina | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-110 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
argentina:
40-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
argentina:
40 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
80-110 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
argentina:
80-100 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
argentina:
110-130 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
argentina:
90-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
argentina:
80-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
argentina:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
argentina:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
argentina:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Argentina | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Argentina | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
argentina:
Not used in Argentina
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Warning
argentina:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Argentina | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
argentina:
Usually not allowed unless indicated by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
argentina:
Varies by locality; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Argentina | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted with an International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
argentina:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
argentina:
Required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
argentina:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
argentina:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
argentina:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Argentina | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
argentina:
Frequent use in some areas
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Argentina | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
argentina:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
argentina:
Common
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
argentina:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Argentina | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ACA | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: General Emergency
argentina:
911
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
argentina:
101
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
argentina:
Check with your insurance provider or ACA
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Argentina | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Sometimes; fines can also be paid later | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
argentina:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
argentina:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
argentina:
Fines apply
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
argentina:
Fines apply
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
argentina:
Fines apply
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
argentina:
Sometimes; fines can also be paid later
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.