Driving Safety: Colombia vs. Spain – Key Differences
When navigating the roads of Colombia and Spain, drivers encounter distinct regulations and norms that influence their travel experience. Key variances include overtaking rules, speed limits, and enforcement of traffic laws. Understanding these driving nuances is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey in either country.
Lanes
| Colombia | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | 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 | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
colombia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
colombia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
colombia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
colombia:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
colombia:
Not applicable
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Colombia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-60 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 | 70-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 90-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 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 | Not applicable | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; police may issue fines at the moment. | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
colombia:
30-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
colombia:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
70-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
colombia:
70-80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
60-80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
colombia:
90-120 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
colombia:
80-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
colombia:
80-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
colombia:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
colombia:
Not applicable
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
colombia:
Yes; police may issue fines at the moment.
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Colombia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Colombia | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
colombia:
Not used in Colombia
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Warning
colombia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Colombia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
colombia:
Prohibited unless there is a specific signal allowing it
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
colombia:
Generally allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Colombia | 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 inspection required; proof must be in vehicle | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on 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
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
colombia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
colombia:
Annual inspection required; proof must be in vehicle
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
colombia:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
colombia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
colombia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Colombia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
colombia:
Frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Colombia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.04% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used in many areas | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
colombia:
0.04%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
colombia:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
colombia:
Common; checkpoints used in many areas
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
colombia:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
colombia:
Can result in license suspension and fines
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Colombia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 123 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 123 or local numbers | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: General Emergency
colombia:
123
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
colombia:
123 or local numbers
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
colombia:
Check with your insurance provider or specialized roadside services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Colombia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $50 to $300, 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 | $50 to $150, points on license | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $50 to $150, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $100 to $300, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
colombia:
Varies; $50 to $300, points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
colombia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
colombia:
$50 to $150, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
colombia:
$100 to $300, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
colombia:
Possible; fines usually paid online or at designated locations
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.