Driving in India vs. Spain: Key Differences for Safety
When navigating the roads of India and Spain, travelers face distinct regulations and practices that impact their journey. Key contrasts include driving on opposite sides, varying speed limits, and unique lane usage rules. Understanding these driving nuances is essential for ensuring a secure and smooth experience while exploring these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| India | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, but only when safe. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some metropolitan areas | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes, in some areas | Yes |
| 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. |
Driving Side
india:
Left
spain:
Right
Overtaking: On Left
india:
No
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
india:
Yes, but only when safe.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
india:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some metropolitan areas
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
india:
Reserved for buses; usage time restrictions may apply.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
india:
Labeled 'BUS'; often marked with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
india:
Yes, in some areas
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
india:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
india:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| India | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 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 | 60-70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 60-80 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 | Yes, in major cities and highways | Yes |
Urban Areas: Standard
india:
40-50 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
india:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
60-80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
india:
60-80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-70 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
india:
80-120 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
india:
80-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
india:
60-80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
india:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
india:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
india:
Yes, in major cities and highways
spain:
Yes
Signals
| India | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in India | Not used in Spain |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | More common due to varied vehicle conditions | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and local languages; 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
india:
Not used in India
spain:
Not used in Spain
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
india:
Unnecessary and excessive use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Hand Signals: Common Usage
india:
More common due to varied vehicle conditions
spain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
india:
English and local languages; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
india:
Triangular with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| India | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians | Permitted unless prohibited by signs |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed in designated areas; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
india:
Prohibited unless otherwise stated by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
Left Turn: General
india:
Permitted; always yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
spain:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
U- Turns Allowed
india:
Allowed in designated areas; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| India | 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 required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | PUC sticker displayed on windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
india:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
india:
Mandatory; proof required with Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
india:
PUC sticker displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| India | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Limited | Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions | Only in emergency situations |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use compared to other countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| Pedestrians Priority | Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Limited
india:
Discouraged, but common due to heavy traffic and mixed vehicle conditions
spain:
Only in emergency situations
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
india:
Frequent use compared to other countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Pedestrians Priority
india:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked and zebra crossings
spain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
india:
Move to the side and allow emergency vehicles to pass
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| India | 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 in cities; checkpoints are regularly used | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies by state; fines can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and fines | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
india:
0.03%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
india:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
india:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
india:
Common in cities; checkpoints are regularly used
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
india:
Varies by state; fines can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
india:
Can result in license suspension and fines
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| India | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Entering
india:
Signal if turning upon entry
spain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Signaling: Exiting
india:
Signal left when preparing to exit
spain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| India | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
india:
Varies by state; local helpline numbers may apply
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
india:
Commonly through insurance providers or automotive associations
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
india:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| India | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, 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 | ₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
india:
Varies; ₹1,000 to ₹2,000, points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
india:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
india:
₹500 to ₹1,000, points in some states
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
india:
₹1,000 to ₹5,000, points in some states
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
india:
₹500 to ₹2,000, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
india:
Common; fines often paid at the time of the offense
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
india:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay