Driving Differences: Slovakia vs Spain – What to Know
When comparing driving practices in Slovakia and Spain, several key distinctions emerge that are crucial for ensuring safe travels. From overtaking regulations to speed limits and alcohol restrictions, each country presents unique guidelines. Understanding these variations can help travelers navigate foreign roads confidently and responsibly.
Lanes
| Slovakia | 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: Usage | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. | 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. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | No | Yes |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | N/A | Minimum two or three occupants |
Overtaking: On Right
slovakia:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
Bus Lanes: Usage
slovakia:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
slovakia:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'BUS ONLY'; often with road signs.
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
slovakia:
No
spain:
Yes
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
slovakia:
N/A
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
Speeds Limits
| Slovakia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 90 km/h | 80-90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 80 km/h | 70-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 130 km/h | 120 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Electronic signs display current limits |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes | Yes, commonly used |
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
slovakia:
90 km/h
spain:
80-90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
slovakia:
80 km/h
spain:
70-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
slovakia:
130 km/h
spain:
120 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
slovakia:
Electronic signs display current limits.
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
slovakia:
Yes
spain:
Yes, commonly used
Signals
| Slovakia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Slovakia | Not used in Spain |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Slovak; symbols are standard | Spanish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular-shaped with red borders | Triangular with white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
slovakia:
Not used in Slovakia
spain:
Not used in Spain
Traffic Signs: Language
slovakia:
Slovak; symbols are standard
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
slovakia:
Triangular-shaped with red borders
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
Turns
| Slovakia | 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
slovakia:
Not allowed
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
slovakia:
Allowed unless prohibited by a sign
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
Documentation
| Slovakia | 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 | International Driving Permit required along with local license | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Mandatory and regular inspections required | Yes, periodic inspections required. |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield | 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
slovakia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
slovakia:
International Driving Permit required along with local license
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
slovakia:
Mandatory and regular inspections required
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
slovakia:
Displayed on windshield
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
slovakia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
slovakia:
Mandatory
spain:
Mandatory.
Road Etiquette
| Slovakia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Less frequent use compared to some countries | Used more frequently in urgent situations |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
slovakia:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
Alcohol
| Slovakia | 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; checkpoints used frequently | Common; checkpoints frequently used |
| Enforcement: Fines | 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
slovakia:
0.00%
spain:
0.05%
Limits: Professional Drivers
slovakia:
0.00%
spain:
0.03%
Limits: Underage Drivers
slovakia:
0.00%
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
slovakia:
Common; checkpoints used frequently
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
Enforcement: Fines
slovakia:
Can be substantial
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
Test Refusal
slovakia:
Can result in license suspension
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
Emergency Services
| Slovakia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | 158 | Check with local authorities |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service | Contact your insurance provider or RACE |
Contact: Traffic Police
slovakia:
158
spain:
Check with local authorities
Contact: Roadside Assistance
slovakia:
Check with your insurance provider or Slovak Assistance Service
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
Penalties And Fines
| Slovakia | Spain | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible | 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 | €50 to €150, points in some regions | €200, mandatory use |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €100 to €200, points in some regions | €200, points on license |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €100 to €250, points on license possible | €200, points on license |
| Payment: On The Spot | Common | Yes; discount if paid promptly. |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 15 days to pay | Varies; typically 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
slovakia:
Varies; €50 to €300, points on license possible
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
slovakia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
Common Fines: Seat Belts
slovakia:
€50 to €150, points in some regions
spain:
€200, mandatory use
Common Fines: Phone Use
slovakia:
€100 to €200, points in some regions
spain:
€200, points on license
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
slovakia:
€100 to €250, points on license possible
spain:
€200, points on license
Payment: On The Spot
slovakia:
Common
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
Payment: Deadline
slovakia:
Varies; typically 15 days to pay
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay