Driving in Spain vs. Tunisia: Key Differences Revealed
Discover the distinct driving landscapes of Spain and Tunisia as we delve into their unique road regulations and practices. From speed limits to lane usage, notable contrasts emerge, such as Spain's bus and cycle lanes, which are absent in Tunisia. This comparison offers crucial insights for ensuring your vehicular safety while navigating these diverse countries.
Lanes
| Spain | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. | Not typically permitted. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | N/A |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | N/A |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
tunisia:
Not typically permitted.
Bus Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
tunisia:
N/A
Bus Lanes: Markings
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
tunisia:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Markings
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
tunisia:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
tunisia:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
tunisia:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
spain:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
tunisia:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Spain | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 110 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 90 km/h |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits | N/A |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
spain:
20-30 km/h
tunisia:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
spain:
80-90 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
70-80 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
120 km/h
tunisia:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
spain:
100 km/h
tunisia:
90 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
90 km/h
tunisia:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
spain:
Yes
tunisia:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
tunisia:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
spain:
Yes, commonly used
tunisia:
Yes
Signals
| Spain | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Spain | Not typically used |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Arabic and French; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with white background and red border | Diamond-shaped with yellow background |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
spain:
Not used in Spain
tunisia:
Not typically used
Traffic Signs: Language
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
tunisia:
Arabic and French; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
tunisia:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Spain | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise | Prohibited |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. | Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted |
Right Turn On Red
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
tunisia:
Prohibited
U- Turns Allowed
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
tunisia:
Allowed at intersections unless otherwise posted
Documentation
| Spain | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; must carry license. | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. | Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required. | Mandatory; proof may be required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield in some areas. | Displayed on windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
tunisia:
Accepted; International Driving Permit recommended
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
tunisia:
Mandatory; proof may be required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
tunisia:
Displayed on windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
spain:
Mandatory.
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory.
tunisia:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Spain | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Used more frequently in urgent situations | Moderate use |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
spain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
tunisia:
Encouraged, especially in heavy traffic
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
tunisia:
Moderate use
Alcohol
| Spain | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance policy |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints used broadly |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe penalties, including high fines | Substantial; varies by offense |
| Test Refusal | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
spain:
0.03%
tunisia:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
tunisia:
0.00%; zero tolerance policy
Enforcement: Random Checks
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
tunisia:
Common; checkpoints used broadly
Enforcement: Fines
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
tunisia:
Substantial; varies by offense
Test Refusal
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
tunisia:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Spain | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 197 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check with local authorities | 197 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or RACE | Check with your insurance provider or local services |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
spain:
112
tunisia:
197
Contact: Traffic Police
spain:
Check with local authorities
tunisia:
197
Contact: Roadside Assistance
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
tunisia:
Check with your insurance provider or local services
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
spain:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory
tunisia:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Spain | Tunisia | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license | Varies; DT 40 to DT 500 |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €200, mandatory use | DT 40 |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €200, points on license | DT 60 |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €200, points on license | Varies; DT 60 to DT 200 |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; discount if paid promptly. | Yes |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 40 to DT 500
Common Fines: Alcohol
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
tunisia:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
spain:
€200, mandatory use
tunisia:
DT 40
Common Fines: Phone Use
spain:
€200, points on license
tunisia:
DT 60
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
spain:
€200, points on license
tunisia:
Varies; DT 60 to DT 200
Payment: On The Spot
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
tunisia:
Yes
Payment: Deadline
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
tunisia:
Varies; typically 15 to 30 days to pay