Driving in Luxembourg vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
When navigating the roads of Luxembourg and Spain, distinct variations in regulations and practices can arise. From speed limits and lane markings to alcohol limits and emergency protocols, understanding these contrasts is crucial for ensuring safe travel abroad. Dive into our comprehensive comparison to enhance your driving experience in these two European nations.
Lanes
| Luxembourg | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Not typically used. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Not typically used. | 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'; 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
luxembourg:
Not typically used.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
luxembourg:
Not typically used.
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
Overtaking: On Right
luxembourg:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
luxembourg:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
luxembourg:
Labeled 'BUS'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
luxembourg:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
luxembourg:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Luxembourg | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 75 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 75 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
luxembourg:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
luxembourg:
75 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
luxembourg:
75 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
luxembourg:
130 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
luxembourg:
90 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
luxembourg:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Luxembourg | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Luxembourg | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | French, German, and Luxembourgish; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with red borders | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
luxembourg:
Not used in Luxembourg
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
luxembourg:
French, German, and Luxembourgish; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
luxembourg:
Triangular with red borders
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Luxembourg | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not typically allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless signage indicates otherwise | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
luxembourg:
Not typically allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
luxembourg:
Permitted unless signage indicates otherwise
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Luxembourg | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; must have a valid national license | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory; regular intervals | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or 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
luxembourg:
Accepted; must have a valid national license
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
luxembourg:
International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
luxembourg:
Mandatory; regular intervals
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
luxembourg:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
luxembourg:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
luxembourg:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Luxembourg | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
luxembourg:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Luxembourg | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Conducted regularly; checkpoints used in some areas | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Results in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
luxembourg:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Enforcement: Random Checks
luxembourg:
Conducted regularly; checkpoints used in some areas
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
luxembourg:
Can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
luxembourg:
Results in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Luxembourg | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 113 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or automobile club | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
luxembourg:
113
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
luxembourg:
Contact your insurance provider or automobile club
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Luxembourg | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; up to €145 for minor infractions | 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 | Up to €145 | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Up to €145 | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Varies; severe penalties | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines often collected immediately | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually a specific period | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
luxembourg:
Varies; up to €145 for minor infractions
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
luxembourg:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
luxembourg:
Up to €145
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
luxembourg:
Up to €145
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
luxembourg:
Varies; severe penalties
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
luxembourg:
Yes; fines often collected immediately
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
luxembourg:
Varies; usually a specific period
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay