Driving Safety: Bolivia vs. Spain – Key Differences
When exploring the driving landscape in Bolivia and Spain, distinct regulations and practices emerge that shape road travel safety. Key disparities include speed limits, overtaking rules, and the presence of dedicated bus lanes. Understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey while navigating the roads of these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| Bolivia | 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: 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. |
| 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
bolivia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
bolivia:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
bolivia:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
bolivia:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
bolivia:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Bolivia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-100 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: Speed Cameras | No, not commonly used | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, fines can be issued immediately | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
bolivia:
40 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
bolivia:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
bolivia:
90-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
bolivia:
80-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
bolivia:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
bolivia:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
bolivia:
No, not commonly used
spain:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
bolivia:
Yes, fines can be issued immediately
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Bolivia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Bolivia | Not used in Spain |
| Horn Usage: Allowed | Only to avoid accidents | Only in cases to avoid accidents |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
bolivia:
Not used in Bolivia
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Allowed
bolivia:
Only to avoid accidents
spain:
Only in cases to avoid accidents
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
bolivia:
Unnecessary usage discouraged especially in urban areas
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
bolivia:
Spanish
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
bolivia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Bolivia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
bolivia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
bolivia:
Not allowed in major urban centers; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Bolivia | 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 | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the 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
bolivia:
Accepted with an International Driving Permit
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
bolivia:
International Driving Permit required
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
bolivia:
Annual inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
bolivia:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
bolivia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
bolivia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Bolivia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
bolivia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
bolivia:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Bolivia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints often used | 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
bolivia:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
bolivia:
0.02%; zero tolerance in some areas
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
bolivia:
Common; checkpoints often used
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
bolivia:
Varies, can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
bolivia:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Bolivia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: General Emergency
bolivia:
911
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
bolivia:
110
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
bolivia:
Check with your insurance provider; some offer this service
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Bolivia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may result in points on license | 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 may apply, varies by location | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply and points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
bolivia:
Varies; may result in points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
bolivia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
bolivia:
Fines apply
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
bolivia:
Fines may apply, varies by location
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
bolivia:
Fines apply and points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
bolivia:
Fines can be issued immediately and must be paid
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
bolivia:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay