Driving in Paraguay vs. Spain: Key Safety Differences
When navigating the roads of Paraguay and Spain, travelers will encounter notable distinctions in traffic regulations and safety practices. From speed limits to lane usage, understanding these variances is crucial for a secure journey. Explore how these two nations approach driving to ensure a safer experience abroad.
Lanes
| Paraguay | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Rarely, usually prohibited. | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes, mainly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses. | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'. | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Limited, mainly in urban areas. | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color. | 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. |
Overtaking: On Right
paraguay:
Rarely, usually prohibited.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
paraguay:
Yes, mainly in urban areas.
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
paraguay:
Reserved for buses.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
paraguay:
Labeled with 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
paraguay:
Limited, mainly in urban areas.
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Markings
paraguay:
Bicycle symbols; may not always be separated by color.
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
paraguay:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
paraguay:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
paraguay:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
paraguay:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Paraguay | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| 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 | 60-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes, in major cities. | Yes |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Common | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
paraguay:
40 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
paraguay:
30 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
paraguay:
80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
paraguay:
80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
paraguay:
60-80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
paraguay:
110 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
paraguay:
90-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
paraguay:
80-90 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
paraguay:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
paraguay:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
paraguay:
Yes, in major cities.
spain:
Yes
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
paraguay:
Common
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Paraguay | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Paraguay | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; standard symbols used as well | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangle-shaped with yellow background | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
paraguay:
Not used in Paraguay
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
paraguay:
Spanish; standard symbols used as well
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
paraguay:
Triangle-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Paraguay | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated. | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed where not prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
paraguay:
Varies; usually not permitted unless indicated.
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
paraguay:
Allowed where not prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Paraguay | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | Accepted; must carry license. |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on vehicle 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
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
paraguay:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
paraguay:
Required periodically; proof may be checked during stops
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
paraguay:
Displayed on vehicle windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
paraguay:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
paraguay:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Paraguay | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | More frequent than in 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 | Pull over to allow passage | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
paraguay:
More frequent than in some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Pedestrians Priority
paraguay:
Pedestrians have right of way at marked crossings
spain:
Pedestrians have right of way at crosswalks
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
paraguay:
Pull over to allow passage
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Paraguay | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; police checkpoints | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Varies; can be substantial | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Test Refusal | Can result in license suspension | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
paraguay:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
paraguay:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
paraguay:
Common; police checkpoints
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
paraguay:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Paraguay | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 911 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: General Emergency
paraguay:
911
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
paraguay:
911
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
paraguay:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
paraguay:
Recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Paraguay | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas | 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 | Fines apply; amount varies | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply; amount varies | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines and penalties | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; fines can be paid directly to police | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; usually within 30 days | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
paraguay:
Varies; can be substantial, worse in urban areas
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
paraguay:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
paraguay:
Fines apply; amount varies
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
paraguay:
Substantial fines and penalties
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
paraguay:
Possible; fines can be paid directly to police
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
paraguay:
Varies; usually within 30 days
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay