Driving in Guatemala vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
Exploring the distinct driving regulations between Guatemala and Spain reveals significant contrasts that impact road safety. From lane usage and speed limits to documentation requirements and penalties, understanding these nuances is essential for travelers. Dive into this comparison to ensure a secure and informed journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Guatemala | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Shared with vehicles in some areas. | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Varies by location. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| 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
guatemala:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
Limited
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
guatemala:
Shared with vehicles in some areas.
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
guatemala:
Varies by location.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
guatemala:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
guatemala:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Guatemala | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| 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 | 70 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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 | Limited use | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, common practice | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
guatemala:
40-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
guatemala:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
70 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
70 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
guatemala:
100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
guatemala:
90 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
guatemala:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
guatemala:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
guatemala:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
guatemala:
Limited use
spain:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
guatemala:
Yes, common practice
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Guatemala | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Guatemala | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
guatemala:
Not used in Guatemala
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Warning
guatemala:
Triangle-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Guatemala | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies, check local signs for permission | 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
guatemala:
Varies, check local signs for permission
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
guatemala:
Varies by location; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Guatemala | 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; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | 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
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
guatemala:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
guatemala:
Mandatory; proof may be required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
guatemala:
Displayed on the vehicle
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
guatemala:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
guatemala:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Guatemala | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
guatemala:
More frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Guatemala | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially at night | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by locality; 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
guatemala:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
guatemala:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
guatemala:
Common, especially at night
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
guatemala:
Varies by locality; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
guatemala:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Guatemala | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 122 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 110 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: General Emergency
guatemala:
122
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
guatemala:
110
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
guatemala:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Guatemala | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | 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 | Fines imposed | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, often required | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; check with local authorities | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
guatemala:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
guatemala:
Fines imposed
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
guatemala:
Fines imposed
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
guatemala:
Substantial fines
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
guatemala:
Yes, often required
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
guatemala:
Varies; check with local authorities
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay