Italy vs Spain: Key Driving Differences You Need to Know
When navigating the roads of Italy and Spain, it's essential to understand the stark contrasts in their traffic regulations and driving practices. From lane markings to speed limits and penalty enforcement, this comparison highlights crucial distinctions that impact road safety and driving etiquette. Stay informed to ensure a secure and enjoyable journey in these vibrant countries.
Lanes
| Italy | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions. | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. |
| 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
italy:
Not commonly used; occasionally as edge line.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
italy:
Not used for lane separation; may indicate temporary diversions.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
italy:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
italy:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
italy:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
italy:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
italy:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Italy | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
italy:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
italy:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
70 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
italy:
130 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
italy:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
italy:
Rare; fines are usually mailed after citation
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Italy | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used; prepare to go when green appears | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Italian; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with a red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
italy:
Used; prepare to go when green appears
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
italy:
Italian; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
italy:
Triangle-shaped with a red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Italy | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed unless indicated by a sign | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Varies by locality; check for signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
italy:
Not allowed unless indicated by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
italy:
Varies by locality; check for signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Italy | 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 with International Driving Permit | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory for vehicles over four years old | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on 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
italy:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
italy:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
italy:
Mandatory for vehicles over four years old
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
italy:
Displayed on license plate
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
italy:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
italy:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Italy | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
italy:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Italy | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
italy:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
italy:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
italy:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
italy:
Substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
italy:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Italy | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 (State Police) | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 116 (ACI) | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
italy:
113 (State Police)
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
italy:
116 (ACI)
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Italy | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension | 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 | Varies; fines apply | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, strict enforcement | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply, may include points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible, especially for foreign drivers | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
italy:
Varies; significant fines, possible license suspension
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
italy:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
italy:
Varies; fines apply
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
italy:
Fines apply, strict enforcement
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
italy:
Fines apply, may include points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
italy:
Possible, especially for foreign drivers
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
italy:
Varies; typically a set period to pay, often 60 days
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay