Driving in Russia vs. Spain: Key Differences Explained
When traveling abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for ensuring safety. This comparison between Russia and Spain highlights significant contrasts in traffic protocols, speed limits, and enforcement practices. From lane markings to alcohol limits, knowing these variations can enhance your driving experience and security on the roads of each country.
Lanes
| Russia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads. | 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: Markings | Labeled with specific road signs or markings. | 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
russia:
Used to separate opposite directions on undivided roads.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
russia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Markings
russia:
Labeled with specific road signs or markings.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
russia:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
russia:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Russia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 110 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 90-100 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes; but fines are also mailed | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
russia:
60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
russia:
20 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
russia:
90 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
russia:
110 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
russia:
90-100 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
russia:
Yes; but fines are also mailed
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Russia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Russia | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Russian; 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
russia:
Not used in Russia
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
russia:
Russian; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
russia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Russia | 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
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
russia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Russia | 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 | Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Usually indicated in vehicle documents | 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
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
russia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
russia:
Mandatory and more frequent for older vehicles
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
russia:
Usually indicated in vehicle documents
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
russia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
russia:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Russia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
russia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Russia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.035% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, especially in cities | 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: General Drivers
russia:
0.035%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
russia:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
russia:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
russia:
Common, especially in cities
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
russia:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
russia:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Russia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check local numbers; 113 is common | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Not mandatory, but recommended | Mandatory |
Contact: Traffic Police
russia:
Check local numbers; 113 is common
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
russia:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
russia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Russia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; substantial fines | 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 | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines apply, points in the record | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Fines apply | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically a few weeks to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
russia:
Varies; substantial fines
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
russia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
russia:
Fines apply
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
russia:
Fines apply, points in the record
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
russia:
Fines apply
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
russia:
Possible; however, fines often paid online or by bank transfer
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
russia:
Varies; typically a few weeks to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay