Kuwait vs Spain: Key Driving Differences Explained
Driving regulations can significantly differ from one nation to another. In this comparison, we explore the notable contrasts between Kuwait and Spain, highlighting key aspects such as lane usage, speed limits, and alcohol restrictions. Understanding these distinctions is essential for ensuring a secure and enjoyable driving experience abroad.
Lanes
| Kuwait | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Not commonly practiced. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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
kuwait:
Not commonly practiced.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
Reserved for buses.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
kuwait:
N/A
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
kuwait:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
kuwait:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
kuwait:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Kuwait | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 45-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 45 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
kuwait:
45-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
kuwait:
45 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
kuwait:
80-120 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
kuwait:
80-100 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
70-90 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
kuwait:
80-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
kuwait:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
kuwait:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
kuwait:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Kuwait | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
kuwait:
Not used
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
kuwait:
Arabic; English is commonly used alongside Arabic
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
kuwait:
Triangular-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Kuwait | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless signs allow | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
kuwait:
Prohibited unless signs allow
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
kuwait:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Kuwait | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | International Driving Permit required | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit required | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle | 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
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
kuwait:
International Driving Permit required
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
kuwait:
Annual inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
kuwait:
Displayed on the vehicle
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kuwait:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Kuwait | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
kuwait:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Kuwait | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Less common | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Significant fines and legal consequences | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
kuwait:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
kuwait:
Less common
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
kuwait:
Significant fines and legal consequences
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Enforcement: Imprisonment
kuwait:
Possible for any alcohol consumption while driving
spain:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
kuwait:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Kuwait | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
kuwait:
112
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
kuwait:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
kuwait:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Kuwait | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may include points on license | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Very severe penalties for any alcohol | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines applicable | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines applicable | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines and points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes, possible | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
kuwait:
Varies; may include points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
kuwait:
Very severe penalties for any alcohol
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
kuwait:
Fines applicable
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
kuwait:
Fines applicable
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
kuwait:
Fines and points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
kuwait:
Yes, possible
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
kuwait:
Varies; typically within 30 days
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay