Driving in Georgia vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
When driving in Georgia versus Spain, it's crucial to understand the distinct regulations and practices that govern the roads. Key differences include overtaking rules, speed limits, and vehicle documentation requirements. Familiarizing yourself with these driving nuances will enhance your safety and ensure a smooth journey in either country.
Lanes
| Georgia | 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
georgia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
georgia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
georgia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Speeds Limits
| Georgia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 30-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100-110 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
georgia:
30-50 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
georgia:
20-40 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
georgia:
80-100 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
georgia:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
georgia:
110-120 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
georgia:
100-110 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
georgia:
90-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
georgia:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Georgia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Georgian; 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
georgia:
Not used
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
georgia:
Georgian; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
georgia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Georgia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by location; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
georgia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
georgia:
Varies by location; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Georgia | 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 | Required; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or 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
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
georgia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
georgia:
Required; proof may be required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
georgia:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
georgia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Georgia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
georgia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Georgia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.03% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
georgia:
0.03%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
georgia:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
georgia:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
georgia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
georgia:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
georgia:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Georgia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
georgia:
112
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
georgia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
georgia:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Georgia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; 80 to 500 GEL | 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 GEL | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | 10 GEL | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | 200 GEL | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; but usually paid later | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
georgia:
Varies; 80 to 500 GEL
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
georgia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
georgia:
50 GEL
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
georgia:
10 GEL
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
georgia:
200 GEL
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
georgia:
Possible; but usually paid later
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
georgia:
Varies; typically within 30 days
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay