Driving Differences: Bhutan vs. Spain for Safe Travels
When navigating the roads of Bhutan and Spain, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that impact their journeys. Key contrasts include driving on the left in Bhutan versus the right in Spain, varying speed limits, and the presence of specialized lanes for buses and bicycles in Spain. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring safe travels in both countries.
Lanes
| Bhutan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | 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
bhutan:
Left
spain:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
bhutan:
No
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
bhutan:
Yes
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
bhutan:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
bhutan:
N/A
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
bhutan:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bhutan:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bhutan:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bhutan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 40-60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 40-60 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 40-60 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Up to 80 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Up to 80 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Up to 60 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
bhutan:
30-50 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
40-60 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bhutan:
Up to 80 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bhutan:
Up to 60 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bhutan:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bhutan:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bhutan:
No
spain:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bhutan:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Bhutan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bhutan | 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
bhutan:
Not used in Bhutan
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
bhutan:
English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bhutan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Bhutan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Restricted; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
bhutan:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
bhutan:
Restricted; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Bhutan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual vehicle inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bhutan:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bhutan:
Annual vehicle inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bhutan:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Bhutan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings | 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
bhutan:
Frequent use in rural areas, reduced in urban settings
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bhutan:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bhutan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.04% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially during events | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial and imprisonment possible | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
bhutan:
0.08%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
bhutan:
0.04%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bhutan:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bhutan:
Common, especially during events
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
bhutan:
Substantial and imprisonment possible
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
bhutan:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bhutan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 113 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with local providers or vehicle insurance | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended, not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
bhutan:
113
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bhutan:
113
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bhutan:
Check with local providers or vehicle insurance
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bhutan:
Recommended, not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Bhutan | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; often involves fines and points on license | 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 enforced | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines enforced | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically immediate payment required | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bhutan:
Varies; often involves fines and points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bhutan:
Substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bhutan:
Fines enforced
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bhutan:
Fines enforced
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bhutan:
Fines and points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bhutan:
Yes
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
bhutan:
Varies; typically immediate payment required
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay