Driving in Denmark vs. Spain: Key Safety Differences
Discover the essential distinctions in road regulations between Denmark and Spain that impact your travel experience. From speed limits to lane usage, each country has unique driving protocols that ensure safety on their roads. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your peace of mind while navigating abroad.
Lanes
| Denmark | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used temporarily in construction zones. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
denmark:
Marks the central reservation on dual carriageways.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
denmark:
Used temporarily in construction zones.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
denmark:
Generally prohibited, except in congested multilane traffic.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
denmark:
Reserved for buses and sometimes bicycles and taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Labeled 'BUS' with road signs indicating restrictions.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
denmark:
Bicycle symbols and often green or red colored pavement.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
denmark:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
denmark:
Not applicable
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Denmark | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, for minor offenses. | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
denmark:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
denmark:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
denmark:
110-130 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
denmark:
90-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
denmark:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
denmark:
Yes, for minor offenses.
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Denmark | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used before green. | Not used in Spain |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Danish; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
denmark:
Used before green.
spain:
Not used in Spain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
denmark:
Signal when entering and exiting
spain:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
denmark:
Danish; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
denmark:
Triangular with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Denmark | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians. | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign. | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
denmark:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
Left Turn: General
denmark:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs, give way to crossing traffic and pedestrians.
spain:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
denmark:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign.
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Denmark | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles | 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 | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
denmark:
Accepted; no additional permits needed for short stays
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
denmark:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
denmark:
Mandatory periodic inspections for vehicles
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
denmark:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
denmark:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Denmark | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
denmark:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Denmark | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; carried out by the police | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | 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
denmark:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
denmark:
Common; carried out by the police
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
denmark:
Can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
denmark:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Denmark | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if taking any exit other than first | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
denmark:
Signal left if taking any exit other than first
spain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Denmark | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Contact general emergency to report traffic issues | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurer or patrol services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended but not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
denmark:
Contact general emergency to report traffic issues
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
denmark:
Contact your insurer or patrol services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
denmark:
Recommended but not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Denmark | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, use of hands-free required | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Significant fines and possible license points | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 14 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
denmark:
Varies; fines proportional to salary, can be significant
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
denmark:
Substantial fines, possible license forfeiture, or jail
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
denmark:
Fines apply, mandatory for front and rear seats
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
denmark:
Fines apply, use of hands-free required
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
denmark:
Significant fines and possible license points
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
denmark:
Possible; fines usually handled through post or bank transfer
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
denmark:
Varies; typically within 14 days
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay