Driving in France vs. Spain: Key Differences to Know
When exploring the roads of France and Spain, understanding their distinct regulations is crucial for ensuring a secure journey. Notable contrasts include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, which can significantly impact your driving experience. Familiarizing yourself with these variations will help you navigate both countries safely and confidently.
Lanes
| France | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
france:
Not commonly used; used for temporary markings during roadworks.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
france:
Used for temporary markings during roadworks; passing permitted when safe.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
france:
Allowed only in specific conditions, such as heavy traffic; not generally recommended.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
france:
Reserved for buses, taxis, and sometimes cyclists.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
france:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
france:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
france:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| France | 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 | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
france:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
france:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
france:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
france:
130 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
france:
Not common; fines are usually mailed after citation
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| France | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in France | Not used in Spain |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French; 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
france:
Not used in France
spain:
Not used in Spain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
france:
Signal when entering and exiting
spain:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
france:
Unnecessary use discouraged especially at night; local ordinances may apply
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
france:
French; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
france:
Triangular with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| France | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
france:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
france:
Allowed if not specifically prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| France | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted for short visits | 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 | Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory in vehicle | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
france:
Accepted for short visits
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
france:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
france:
Yes, an MOT style test is required periodically
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
france:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
france:
Mandatory in vehicle
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| France | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Reserved mainly for use in emergencies | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
france:
Reserved mainly for use in emergencies
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
france:
Pull over and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| France | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | 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
france:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
france:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
france:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
france:
Can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
france:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| France | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when entering if turning right | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
france:
Signal when entering if turning right
spain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| France | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 17 or through local police | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or assistance service | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
france:
17 or through local police
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
france:
Check with your insurance provider or assistance service
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| France | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €135 | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €135 | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €135 | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 45 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
france:
Varies; typically €68 to €3750, license points
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
france:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time, and license confiscation
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
france:
€135
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
france:
€135
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
france:
€135
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
france:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police for minor offenses
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
france:
Varies; typically 45 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay