Driving in Cambodia vs. Spain: Key Safety Differences
Cambodia and Spain offer unique driving landscapes, each with distinct regulations and practices. Key contrasts include Spain's strict bus lane usage and variable speed limits, while Cambodia permits overtaking on multi-lane roads. Understanding these nuances is crucial for ensuring safe and enjoyable travel experiences in both nations.
Lanes
| Cambodia | 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
cambodia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
cambodia:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
cambodia:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
cambodia:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
cambodia:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
cambodia:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cambodia:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Cambodia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 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 | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
cambodia:
30-40 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
cambodia:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
70 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
cambodia:
100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
cambodia:
90 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
cambodia:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
cambodia:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
cambodia:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
cambodia:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Cambodia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | N/A | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Khmer and 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
cambodia:
N/A
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
cambodia:
Khmer and English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
cambodia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Cambodia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies, check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
cambodia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
cambodia:
Varies, check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Cambodia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | 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 | Mandatory; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
cambodia:
International Driving Permit required
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
cambodia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
cambodia:
Displayed on the vehicle
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Recommended but not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Cambodia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use as means of communication | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
cambodia:
Frequent use as means of communication
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Cambodia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Strict and substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
cambodia:
0.00%; zero tolerance for underage drivers
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
cambodia:
Common; checkpoints used
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
cambodia:
Strict and substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
cambodia:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Cambodia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 119 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
cambodia:
119
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
cambodia:
117
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
cambodia:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
cambodia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Cambodia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines are 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 | Varies; penalties applied | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Varies; penalties applied | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; substantial fines | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, on the spot payment | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within a specified period | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
cambodia:
Varies; fines are substantial
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
cambodia:
Varies; penalties applied
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
cambodia:
Varies; substantial fines
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
cambodia:
Yes, on the spot payment
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
cambodia:
Varies; typically within a specified period
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay