Driving Differences: Saudi Arabia vs. Spain Explained
When venturing abroad, understanding the nuances of road regulations is essential for a safe journey. This comparison between Saudi Arabia and Spain reveals significant contrasts, from lane usage and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and emergency contacts. Stay informed to navigate these diverse driving landscapes with confidence and awareness.
Lanes
| Saudi arabia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| 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: 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. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | No | Yes |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | N/A | Electronic signs display current limits. |
Overtaking: On Right
saudi arabia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
spain:
Yes
Bus Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
spain:
Yes
Cycle Lanes: Usage
saudi arabia:
N/A
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
saudi arabia:
N/A
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
Speeds Limits
| Saudi arabia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 40-60 km/h | 50 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 30-40 km/h | 20-30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 100-120 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 100-120 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80-100 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120-140 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 120 km/h | 100 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 100 km/h | 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 | Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS | Yes, commonly used |
Urban Areas: Standard
saudi arabia:
40-60 km/h
spain:
50 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
saudi arabia:
30-40 km/h
spain:
20-30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
100-120 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
80-100 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
saudi arabia:
120-140 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
saudi arabia:
120 km/h
spain:
100 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
saudi arabia:
100 km/h
spain:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
saudi arabia:
No
spain:
Yes
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
saudi arabia:
N/A
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
saudi arabia:
Rare; fines are usually mailed or sent via SMS
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Saudi arabia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Saudi Arabia | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Arabic; 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
saudi arabia:
Not used in Saudi Arabia
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
saudi arabia:
Arabic; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
saudi arabia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Saudi arabia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Not allowed | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Allowed unless prohibited by signs | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. |
Right Turn On Red
saudi arabia:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
saudi arabia:
Allowed unless prohibited by signs
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Saudi arabia | 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 | Mandatory periodic inspection required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection | 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
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
saudi arabia:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
saudi arabia:
Mandatory periodic inspection required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
saudi arabia:
Displayed on the vehicle after successful inspection
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
saudi arabia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Saudi arabia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Frequent use for communication on the road | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
saudi arabia:
Frequent use for communication on the road
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Saudi arabia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.00% | 0.05% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.00% | 0.03% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00% | 0.00%; zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common, random checkpoints are used | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | Substantial; possible imprisonment | Severe penalties, including high fines |
| Enforcement: Imprisonment | Frequent for offenses | Possible for severe offenses |
| Test Refusal | Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
saudi arabia:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
saudi arabia:
Common, random checkpoints are used
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
saudi arabia:
Substantial; possible imprisonment
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Enforcement: Imprisonment
saudi arabia:
Frequent for offenses
spain:
Possible for severe offenses
Test Refusal
saudi arabia:
Can result in immediate license suspension and further penalties
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Saudi arabia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 999 | 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | 993 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or local services | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: General Emergency
saudi arabia:
999
spain:
112
Contact: Traffic Police
saudi arabia:
993
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
saudi arabia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Saudi arabia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000 | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Substantial fines, imprisonment | Severe fines and potential imprisonment |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | Fines imposed | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | Fines imposed, typically SAR 500 | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | Substantial fines | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
Common Fines: Speeding
saudi arabia:
Varies; SAR 300 to SAR 3,000
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines, imprisonment
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
saudi arabia:
Fines imposed, typically SAR 500
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
saudi arabia:
Substantial fines
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
saudi arabia:
Not typical; usually paid online or via bank transfer
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.