Driving in Germany vs. Spain: Key Safety Differences
Discover the intriguing contrasts in road regulations and practices between Germany and Spain. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol restrictions and emergency protocols, this comparison highlights essential distinctions that every traveler should know. Enhance your journey and prioritize your safety by understanding these pivotal differences before hitting the road in either country.
Lanes
| Germany | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; white lines are standard. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Marks temporary lanes or roadworks. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored lane. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
germany:
Not commonly used; white lines are standard.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
germany:
Marks temporary lanes or roadworks.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
germany:
Generally prohibited, except in traffic jams or on multi-lane roads when the left lane is moving slower.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
germany:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. Bicycles may be allowed.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
germany:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
germany:
Bicycle symbols and colored lane.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
germany:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
germany:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Germany | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 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 | Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
germany:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
germany:
80-100 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
germany:
Recommended 130 km/h, no fixed maximum
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
germany:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
germany:
Common
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Germany | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to change to green | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
germany:
Indicates the light is about to change to green
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
germany:
German; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
germany:
Triangle-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Germany | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Prohibited in many areas; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
germany:
Not allowed unless a green arrow sign is present
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
germany:
Prohibited in many areas; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Germany | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory, every 2 years | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on rear license plate | 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
germany:
Accepted; no International Driving Permit needed
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
germany:
Accepted for up to 6 months; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
germany:
Mandatory, every 2 years
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
germany:
Displayed on rear license plate
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
germany:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
germany:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Germany | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
germany:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
germany:
Move to the side and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Germany | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial, varies by offense | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
germany:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
germany:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
germany:
Common
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
germany:
Can be substantial, varies by offense
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
germany:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Germany | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or ADAC | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
germany:
110
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
germany:
Check with your insurance provider or ADAC
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Germany | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €10 to over €600, 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 | €30 to €60 | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €90 to €200, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
germany:
Varies; €10 to over €600, points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
germany:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
germany:
€30 to €60
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
germany:
€100, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
germany:
€90 to €200, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
germany:
Common
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
germany:
Varies; typically 1 to 4 weeks to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay