Barbados vs. Spain: A Guide to Driving Differences
Exploring the road regulations of Barbados and Spain reveals notable distinctions crucial for safe travels. While Barbados drives on the left, Spain adheres to right-side navigation. Speed limits, lane usage, and emergency protocols differ significantly, underscoring the importance of understanding these variations to ensure a secure driving experience in each country.
Lanes
| Barbados | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used in Barbados. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | Allowed | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| 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. |
Driving Side
barbados:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
barbados:
Not commonly used in Barbados.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
barbados:
Allowed
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
barbados:
Usually restricted, as traffic typically keeps left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
barbados:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
barbados:
N/A
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
barbados:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
barbados:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
barbados:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Barbados | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | Possible in some cases | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
barbados:
20-40 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
barbados:
20 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
60 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
barbados:
60 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
60 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
barbados:
80 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
barbados:
80 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
barbados:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
barbados:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
barbados:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
barbados:
Possible in some cases
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Barbados | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Barbados | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
barbados:
Not used in Barbados
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
barbados:
English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
barbados:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Barbados | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed, follow traffic signals | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
barbados:
Not allowed, follow traffic signals
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
barbados:
Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Barbados | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Usually not required for non-residents | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | N/A for non-resident vehicles | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
barbados:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
barbados:
Usually not required for non-residents
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
barbados:
N/A for non-resident vehicles
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Barbados | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
barbados:
Use may be more frequent than in some countries, but typically for warnings
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
barbados:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Barbados | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common; checkpoints can be used | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines for offenses | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
barbados:
0.08%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
barbados:
0.04%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
barbados:
0.02%; zero tolerance for underage drinking and driving
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
barbados:
Less common; checkpoints can be used
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
barbados:
Substantial fines for offenses
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
barbados:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Barbados | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
| Lane Usage: Left | Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe | Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe |
Signaling: Exiting
barbados:
Signal left when preparing to exit
spain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Lane Usage: Left
barbados:
Use for subsequent exits, move to the right lane before the exit when safe
spain:
Use for subsequent exits, move to right lane before exit when safe
Emergency Services
| Barbados | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 211 or 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 211 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
barbados:
211 or 911
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
barbados:
211
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
barbados:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
barbados:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Barbados | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible jail time | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines for not wearing seatbelts | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible in some cases | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically have a time frame to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
barbados:
Typically imposed based on the degree of excess speed
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
barbados:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
barbados:
Fines for not wearing seatbelts
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
barbados:
Fines for using phones without hands-free devices while driving
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
barbados:
Fines and points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
barbados:
Possible in some cases
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
barbados:
Varies; typically have a time frame to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay