Driving Differences: New Zealand vs. Spain Explained
When traversing the roads of New Zealand and Spain, drivers encounter distinct regulations and practices that shape their experience. From the contrasting sides of the road to varying speed limits, understanding these nuances is vital for ensuring a secure journey abroad. Explore the essential disparities that can affect your travel experience in these two diverse nations.
Lanes
| New zealand | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the right edge on divided roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses during certain hours. | 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. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and green pavement. | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Not applicable | Minimum two or three occupants |
Driving Side
new zealand:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
new zealand:
Marks the right edge on divided roads.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
new zealand:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning right.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
new zealand:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
new zealand:
Reserved for buses during certain hours.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
new zealand:
Bicycle symbols and green pavement.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
new zealand:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
new zealand:
Not applicable
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| New zealand | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 50 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 100 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | No; fines are usually mailed after citation | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
new zealand:
50 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
new zealand:
100 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
new zealand:
90 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
new zealand:
100 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
new zealand:
No; fines are usually mailed after citation
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| New zealand | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in New Zealand | Not used in Spain |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when entering and exiting | Signal when exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Diamond-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
new zealand:
Not used in New Zealand
spain:
Not used in Spain
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
new zealand:
Signal when entering and exiting
spain:
Signal when exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
new zealand:
English; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
new zealand:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| New zealand | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Permitted unless prohibited by a sign | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
new zealand:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
new zealand:
Permitted unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| New zealand | 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 | Regular inspection required; proof may be required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on license plate or windshield | 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
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
new zealand:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
new zealand:
Regular inspection required; proof may be required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
new zealand:
Displayed on license plate or windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| New zealand | 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 marked crossings | Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Move to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
new zealand:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Pedestrians Priority
new zealand:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
spain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
new zealand:
Move to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| New zealand | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints used regularly | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial fines, can vary widely | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension and other penalties | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
new zealand:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
new zealand:
Common; checkpoints used regularly
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
new zealand:
Substantial fines, can vary widely
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
new zealand:
Can result in license suspension and other penalties
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| New zealand | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry | Signal if turning immediately upon entry |
Signaling: Entering
new zealand:
Signal left if making an immediate left turn upon entry
spain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
Emergency Services
| New zealand | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 111 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 111 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | 0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association) | 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: General Emergency
new zealand:
111
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
new zealand:
111
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
new zealand:
0800 500 222 for AA (Automobile Association)
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
new zealand:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| New zealand | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; $30 to $630, 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 | $150, points may also apply | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | $80 to $150, points in some circumstances | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | $150, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | No; fines usually paid online or by mail | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 28 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
new zealand:
Varies; $30 to $630, points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
new zealand:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
new zealand:
$150, points may also apply
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
new zealand:
$80 to $150, points in some circumstances
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
new zealand:
$150, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
new zealand:
No; fines usually paid online or by mail
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
new zealand:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay