Driving in Samoa vs. Spain: Key Safety Differences
Discover the distinct road regulations and practices between Samoa and Spain, two countries with unique driving cultures. Key differences include driving sides, speed limits, and road etiquette. Whether navigating bustling city streets or serene rural paths, understanding these variations ensures a safer and more enjoyable journey abroad.
Lanes
| Samoa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Left | Right |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the centerline on two-way roads. | Marks the left edge on divided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Left | No | Yes |
| Overtaking: On Right | Yes | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use leftmost lane. | Use rightmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | N/A | Reserved for buses and taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | N/A | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | N/A | Exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | N/A | 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. |
Driving Side
samoa:
Left
spain:
Right
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
samoa:
Marks the centerline on two-way roads.
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
Overtaking: On Left
samoa:
No
spain:
Yes
Overtaking: On Right
samoa:
Yes
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
samoa:
Use leftmost lane.
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
samoa:
N/A
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
samoa:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
samoa:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
samoa:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Samoa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 25-40 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 55-80 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 55-80 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 55-80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | Not applicable | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | Not applicable | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | Not applicable | 90 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
samoa:
25-40 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
samoa:
20 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
55-80 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
samoa:
55-80 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
55-80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
samoa:
Not applicable
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
samoa:
Not applicable
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
samoa:
Not applicable
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
samoa:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
samoa:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
samoa:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Samoa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Samoa | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | English and Samoan; 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
samoa:
Not used in Samoa
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
samoa:
English and Samoan; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
samoa:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Samoa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | 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
samoa:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
samoa:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Samoa | 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 | Annual inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on 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
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
samoa:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
samoa:
Annual inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
samoa:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
samoa:
Not mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Samoa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the left and stop if necessary | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
samoa:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
samoa:
Pull over to the left and stop if necessary
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Samoa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.08% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.02% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common | 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
samoa:
0.08%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
samoa:
0.02%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
samoa:
0.00% to 0.02%; zero tolerance
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
samoa:
Common
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
samoa:
Varies; can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
samoa:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Roundabouts
| Samoa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Exiting | Signal left when preparing to exit | Signal right when preparing to exit |
Signaling: Exiting
samoa:
Signal left when preparing to exit
spain:
Signal right when preparing to exit
Emergency Services
| Samoa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 911 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 685-22-222 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider | 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
samoa:
911
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
samoa:
685-22-222
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
samoa:
Check with your insurance provider
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
samoa:
Not mandatory, but recommended
spain:
Mandatory
Penalties And Fines
| Samoa | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, 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 | ST$100 to ST$200 | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | ST$50 to ST$300 | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | ST$100 to ST$500, points on license | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
samoa:
Varies; ST$50 to ST$500, points on license
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
samoa:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$200
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
samoa:
ST$50 to ST$300
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
samoa:
ST$100 to ST$500, points on license
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
samoa:
Yes; fines usually paid online or by mail afterwards
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.