Driving in Liechtenstein vs. Spain: Key Differences
When exploring the roads of Liechtenstein and Spain, it's essential to understand their unique regulations and practices. Key distinctions include speed limits, lane usage, and alcohol limits, all of which play a crucial role in ensuring traveler safety. Navigating these differences will help you drive confidently and responsibly in each country.
Lanes
| Liechtenstein | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| 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 | Not typically used in Liechtenstein. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
liechtenstein:
Used primarily at construction sites; indicates no passing.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
liechtenstein:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
liechtenstein:
Not typically used in Liechtenstein.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
liechtenstein:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
liechtenstein:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
liechtenstein:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Liechtenstein | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 80 km/h | 90 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: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
liechtenstein:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
liechtenstein:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Liechtenstein | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | German; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with red border | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
liechtenstein:
Used to indicate that the light is about to turn green
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
liechtenstein:
German; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
liechtenstein:
Triangle-shaped with red border
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Liechtenstein | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
liechtenstein:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
liechtenstein:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Liechtenstein | 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 | Required annually | 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
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
liechtenstein:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
liechtenstein:
Required annually
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
liechtenstein:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
liechtenstein:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Liechtenstein | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
liechtenstein:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Liechtenstein | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Heavy fines; varies by severity | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.08%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
liechtenstein:
0.05%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
liechtenstein:
Common; checkpoints used to deter drunk driving
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines; varies by severity
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
liechtenstein:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Liechtenstein | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 117 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact insurance company or local service providers | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
liechtenstein:
117
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
liechtenstein:
Contact insurance company or local service providers
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Liechtenstein | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, 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 | Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Heavy fines, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines can often be paid immediately | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
liechtenstein:
Varies; can be substantial, points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
liechtenstein:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
liechtenstein:
Mandatory, fines apply for non-compliance
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
liechtenstein:
Fines for use without hands-free kit; can be substantial
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
liechtenstein:
Heavy fines, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
liechtenstein:
Yes; fines can often be paid immediately
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.