Driving in Lebanon vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
When traversing the roads of Lebanon and Spain, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that significantly impact their travel experience. From lane markings and speed limits to alcohol thresholds and emergency protocols, these two nations showcase notable contrasts in their vehicular guidelines. Understanding these variances is crucial for ensuring a safe and seamless journey abroad.
Lanes
| Lebanon | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Used as a separation line in some areas. | 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: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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. |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
lebanon:
Typically used to mark out zones where parking is prohibited.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
lebanon:
Used as a separation line in some areas.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
lebanon:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
lebanon:
N/A
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
lebanon:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
lebanon:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
lebanon:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Lebanon | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-50 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 50-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 50-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 50-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 80-100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 80-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80 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
lebanon:
40-50 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
lebanon:
30-40 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
50-80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
lebanon:
80-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
lebanon:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
lebanon:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
lebanon:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
lebanon:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Lebanon | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Lebanon | Not used in Spain |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic and French; 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
lebanon:
Not used in Lebanon
spain:
Not used in Spain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
lebanon:
Signal when entering and exiting
spain:
Signal when exiting
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
lebanon:
Avoid unnecessary use in urban areas
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
Traffic Signs: Language
lebanon:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
lebanon:
Triangle-shaped with red borders
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Lebanon | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Allowed unless prohibited by a sign | 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
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
lebanon:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Lebanon | 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 required | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, annual 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 | Not mandatory | Mandatory. |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
lebanon:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
lebanon:
International Driving Permit required
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
lebanon:
Yes, annual inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
lebanon:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
lebanon:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Lebanon | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
lebanon:
Horn usage is more frequent compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
lebanon:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Lebanon | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common through checkpoints | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial for violations | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
lebanon:
0.05%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
lebanon:
Common through checkpoints
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
lebanon:
Substantial for violations
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
lebanon:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Lebanon | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal when preparing to enter | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
lebanon:
Signal when preparing to enter
spain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| Lebanon | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 112 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Varies; consult your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
lebanon:
112
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
lebanon:
Varies; consult your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
lebanon:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Lebanon | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; may lead to substantial fines | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Fines and potential incarceration | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Mandatory for all passengers | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; often paid at stations | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Usually within 15-30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
lebanon:
Varies; may lead to substantial fines
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
lebanon:
Fines and potential incarceration
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
lebanon:
Mandatory for all passengers
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
lebanon:
Fines imposed for mobile use without hands-free
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
lebanon:
Substantial fines
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
lebanon:
Possible; often paid at stations
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
lebanon:
Usually within 15-30 days
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay