Driving in Latvia vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained

When exploring the driving landscapes of Latvia and Spain, distinct variances emerge, shaping the experience behind the wheel. From speed limits and lane usage to alcohol regulations and penalties, understanding these contrasts is essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Discover how these two nations prioritize road etiquette and safety in unique ways.

latviaspain

RIGHT

Driving Side

The driving side in latvia is the Right Side of the road

Driving Safety Score

The driving Driving Safety Score in latvia is 71

1.692 $

Gas Price in USD

The driving Driving Safety Score for latvia is 1.692 US Dollars

While the driving side of a country remains the same, the driving safety score is updated annually based on each countries car accident fatality rate. Lastly, the gas price is only an estimate. Due to frequent fluctuations, it serves as a general reference rather than an exact figure for each country.

Lanes

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	Latvia	Spain
Overtaking: On Right	Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.	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
Variable Speed Limits: Presence	No	Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications	N/A	Electronic signs display current limits.

Overtaking: On Right

latvia:

Not commonly practiced; generally only when the lane is clear.

spain:

Prohibited unless on a one-way street.

Bus Lanes: Usage

latvia:

Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.

spain:

Reserved for buses and taxis.

Bus Lanes: Markings

latvia:

Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.

spain:

Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.

High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence

latvia:

spain:

Yes

High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements

latvia:

N/A

spain:

Minimum two or three occupants

Variable Speed Limits: Presence

latvia:

spain:

Yes

Variable Speed Limits: Indications

latvia:

N/A

spain:

Electronic signs display current limits.

Speeds Limits

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	Latvia	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	80 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
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines	Common; fines are often issued immediately	Yes, commonly used

Urban Areas: Residential Zones

latvia:

30 km/h

spain:

20-30 km/h

Rural Areas: Buses And Vans

latvia:

80 km/h

spain:

80-90 km/h

Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers

latvia:

80 km/h

spain:

70-80 km/h

Highways: Cars And Motorcycles

latvia:

100 km/h

spain:

120 km/h

Highways: Buses And Vans

latvia:

90 km/h

spain:

100 km/h

Highways: Trucks And Trailers

latvia:

80 km/h

spain:

90 km/h

Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines

latvia:

Common; fines are often issued immediately

spain:

Yes, commonly used

Signals

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	Latvia	Spain
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together	Not used in Latvia	Not used in Spain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts	Signal when entering and exiting	Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language	Latvian; symbols are standard	Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning	Triangle-shaped with red borders	Triangular with white background and red border

Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together

latvia:

Not used in Latvia

spain:

Not used in Spain

Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts

latvia:

Signal when entering and exiting

spain:

Signal when exiting

Traffic Signs: Language

latvia:

Latvian; symbols are standard

spain:

Spanish; symbols are standard

Traffic Signs: Warning

latvia:

Triangle-shaped with red borders

spain:

Triangular with white background and red border

Turns

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	Latvia		Spain
Right Turn On Red	Allowed unless prohibited by a sign		Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed	Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise		Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.

Right Turn On Red

latvia:

Allowed unless prohibited by a sign

spain:

Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise

U- Turns Allowed

latvia:

Permitted unless signs indicate otherwise

spain:

Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.

Documentation

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	Latvia	Spain
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A	Accepted, no International Driving Permit required	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	Annual vehicle inspection required	Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker	Displayed on windshield	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

latvia:

Accepted, no International Driving Permit required

spain:

Accepted; must carry license.

Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U

latvia:

Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended

spain:

International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.

Vehicle Inspection: Requirement

latvia:

Annual vehicle inspection required

spain:

Yes, periodic inspections required.

Vehicle Inspection: Sticker

latvia:

Displayed on windshield

spain:

Displayed on windshield in some areas.

Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles

latvia:

Mandatory

spain:

Mandatory.

Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest

latvia:

Mandatory

spain:

Mandatory.

Road Etiquette

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	Latvia		Spain
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm	Less frequent use compared to some countries		Used more frequently in urgent situations
Pedestrians Priority	Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings		Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks

Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm

latvia:

Less frequent use compared to some countries

spain:

Used more frequently in urgent situations

Pedestrians Priority

latvia:

Pedestrians have right of way at zebra crossings

spain:

Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks

Alcohol

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	Latvia	Spain
Limits: Professional Drivers	0.00%	0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers	0.00%	0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks	Common, especially on weekends	Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines	Substantial, varies based on BAC	Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal	Can result in license suspension and fines	Can result in heavy fines and license suspension

Limits: Professional Drivers

latvia:

0.00%

spain:

0.03%

Limits: Underage Drivers

latvia:

0.00%

spain:

0.00%; zero tolerance

Enforcement: Random Checks

latvia:

Common, especially on weekends

spain:

Common; checkpoints frequently used

Enforcement: Fines

latvia:

Substantial, varies based on BAC

spain:

Severe penalties, including high fines

Test Refusal

latvia:

Can result in license suspension and fines

spain:

Can result in heavy fines and license suspension

Emergency Services

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	Latvia		Spain
Contact: Traffic Police	Varies; dial 112 for emergencies		Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance	Check with your insurance provider or local services		Contact your insurance provider or RACE

Contact: Traffic Police

latvia:

Varies; dial 112 for emergencies

spain:

Check with local authorities

Contact: Roadside Assistance

latvia:

Check with your insurance provider or local services

spain:

Contact your insurance provider or RACE

Penalties And Fines

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	Latvia	Spain
Common Fines: Speeding	Varies; €20 to €300, points on license	Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol	Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension	Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts	€20 to €40, fines vary	€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use	€10 to €30, fines vary	€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation	€30 to €70, points on license	€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot	Common; fines can often be settled at the time	Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline	Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days	Varies; typically 30 days to pay

Common Fines: Speeding

latvia:

Varies; €20 to €300, points on license

spain:

Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license

Common Fines: Alcohol

latvia:

Varies; substantial fines, possible license suspension

spain:

Severe fines and potential imprisonment

Common Fines: Seat Belts

latvia:

€20 to €40, fines vary

spain:

€200, mandatory use

Common Fines: Phone Use

latvia:

€10 to €30, fines vary

spain:

€200, points on license

Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation

latvia:

€30 to €70, points on license

spain:

€200, points on license

Payment: On The Spot

latvia:

Common; fines can often be settled at the time

spain:

Yes; discount if paid promptly.

Payment: Deadline

latvia:

Varies; typically within 10 to 30 days

spain:

Varies; typically 30 days to pay