Driving in Ireland vs. Spain: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Ireland and Spain, drivers encounter distinct regulations and customs that can significantly impact their travel experience. From driving sides and lane usage to speed limits and penalties, understanding these variations is crucial for ensuring a secure and enjoyable journey abroad. Discover the essential contrasts that can keep you safe on your adventures!
Lanes
| Ireland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks areas where passing is not allowed. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No, overtake on the right. | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes, standard overtaking side. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| 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. |
| 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
ireland:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
ireland:
Marks areas where passing is not allowed.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
ireland:
Used as centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Left
ireland:
No, overtake on the right.
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
ireland:
Yes, standard overtaking side.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
ireland:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
ireland:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
ireland:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
ireland:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
ireland:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Ireland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 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 | 80-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | More common; fines can be issued on the spot. | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
ireland:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
ireland:
80-100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
ireland:
80-100 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
ireland:
80-90 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
ireland:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
ireland:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
ireland:
More common; fines can be issued on the spot.
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Ireland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles. | Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles |
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Indicates the light is about to turn green. | Not used in Spain |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas. | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangles with red borders | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Flashing Amber
ireland:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles.
spain:
Proceed with caution, yield to pedestrians and other vehicles
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
ireland:
Indicates the light is about to turn green.
spain:
Not used in Spain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
ireland:
Signal when entering and exiting
spain:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
ireland:
Use between 11:30pm and 7:00am is generally prohibited in residential areas.
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
ireland:
English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
ireland:
Triangles with red borders
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Ireland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
ireland:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
ireland:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Ireland | 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 | Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required. | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the windshield | Displayed on windshield in some areas. |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory. |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
ireland:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
ireland:
Compulsory for vehicles older than four years; NCT certificate required.
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
ireland:
Displayed on the windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Ireland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
ireland:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
ireland:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Ireland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Random breath testing is common. | 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: Professional Drivers
ireland:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
ireland:
Random breath testing is common.
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
ireland:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
ireland:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Ireland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 or 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 or 999 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Required | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
ireland:
112 or 999
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
ireland:
112 or 999
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
ireland:
Check with your insurance provider or AA Ireland
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
ireland:
Required
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
ireland:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Ireland | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €80 to €120, and 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 | €60 fine and two penalty points | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €60 fine and three penalty points | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €80 and three penalty points | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be issued on the spot | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
ireland:
Varies; €80 to €120, and points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
ireland:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
ireland:
€60 fine and two penalty points
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
ireland:
€60 fine and three penalty points
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
ireland:
€80 and three penalty points
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
ireland:
Possible; fines can be issued on the spot
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.