Driving Differences: El Salvador vs. Spain Explained
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is crucial for ensuring a safe journey. This comparison between El Salvador and Spain highlights notable contrasts, such as the rules on overtaking and speed limits, as well as documentation requirements. Familiarizing yourself with these variations can significantly enhance your driving experience in a foreign land.
Lanes
| El salvador | 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 | 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
el salvador:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
el salvador:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
el salvador:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
el salvador:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
el salvador:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
el salvador:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| El salvador | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 20-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 60-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 60-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 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 | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | No | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
el salvador:
20-40 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
60-80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
el salvador:
80-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
el salvador:
80-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
el salvador:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
el salvador:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
el salvador:
No
spain:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
el salvador:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| El salvador | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not common in El Salvador | Not used in Spain |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
el salvador:
Not common in El Salvador
spain:
Not used in Spain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
el salvador:
Signal when entering and exiting
spain:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Warning
el salvador:
Triangle-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| El salvador | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
el salvador:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| El salvador | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit recommended | 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 annual inspection | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
el salvador:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
el salvador:
Mandatory annual inspection
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
el salvador:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| El salvador | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use in some areas to communicate | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Yield and make way | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
el salvador:
Frequent use in some areas to communicate
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
el salvador:
Yield and make way
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| El salvador | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines and penalties | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
el salvador:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
el salvador:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
el salvador:
Common
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
el salvador:
Substantial fines and penalties
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
el salvador:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| El salvador | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 120 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 121 | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
el salvador:
911
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
el salvador:
120
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
el salvador:
121
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
el salvador:
Required
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
el salvador:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| El salvador | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $20 to $100 | 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 | $20 to $50 | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $30 to $100 | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $50 to $200 | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, frequently enforced | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
el salvador:
Varies; $20 to $100
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
el salvador:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
el salvador:
$20 to $50
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
el salvador:
$30 to $100
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
el salvador:
$50 to $200
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
el salvador:
Yes, frequently enforced
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
el salvador:
Typically 30 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay