Driving Differences: Belgium vs. Spain Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the unique road regulations and norms is vital for a safe journey. This comparison between Belgium and Spain reveals distinct distinctions in lane markings, speed limits, and enforcement practices. Familiarizing yourself with these driving variances ensures a more secure and enjoyable experience while navigating the roads of each country.
Lanes
| Belgium | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs. | 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
belgium:
Not commonly used; white lines are prevalent.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
belgium:
Generally not allowed except in traffic queues or on multi-lane roads.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
belgium:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis; specific hours may apply.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
belgium:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
belgium:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
belgium:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Belgium | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 70-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 70-90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are mailed to the driver | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
belgium:
30-50 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
belgium:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
belgium:
70-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
belgium:
70-90 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
belgium:
60-90 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
belgium:
120 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
belgium:
No; fines are mailed to the driver
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Belgium | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Yes; indicates impending green light | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
belgium:
Yes; indicates impending green light
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
belgium:
Dutch, French, German; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
belgium:
Triangle-shaped with a red border and white or yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Belgium | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless specific signage permits | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
belgium:
Not allowed unless specific signage permits
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
belgium:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Belgium | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; national driving license sufficient | 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 | Yes; proof must be shown during police checks | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or 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
belgium:
Accepted; national driving license sufficient
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
belgium:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
belgium:
Yes; proof must be shown during police checks
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
belgium:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
belgium:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
belgium:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Belgium | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
belgium:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Belgium | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; conducted by police | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by severity of offense | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
belgium:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
belgium:
Common; conducted by police
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
belgium:
Varies by severity of offense
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
belgium:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Belgium | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 101 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
belgium:
101
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
belgium:
Check with your insurance provider or Europe Assistance
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Belgium | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension | 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 | Fine of around 50 EUR | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines; points on license possible | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually mailed to the driver | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
belgium:
Varies; fines increase with speed, and can include license suspension
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
belgium:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
belgium:
Fine of around 50 EUR
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
belgium:
Fine of around 100 EUR, increased for repeat offenses
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
belgium:
Fines; points on license possible
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
belgium:
No; fines usually mailed to the driver
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
belgium:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay