Driving in Spain vs. Turkey: Key Safety Differences
Explore the intriguing contrasts in automotive regulations between Spain and Turkey, essential for ensuring a secure journey abroad. From lane usage and speed limits to documentation requirements and alcohol regulations, understanding these disparities is vital for a hassle-free driving experience in either country. Stay informed and drive safely!
Lanes
| Spain | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. | Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
Overtaking: On Right
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
turkey:
Generally not allowed, except in specific situations or if the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Usage
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
turkey:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis.
Bus Lanes: Markings
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
turkey:
Labeled with specific signs indicating bus lanes.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
turkey:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
turkey:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Spain | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances. |
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
spain:
20-30 km/h
turkey:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
spain:
80-90 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
70-80 km/h
turkey:
80 km/h
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
spain:
Yes, commonly used
turkey:
Yes, fines may be imposed immediately in certain circumstances.
Signals
| Spain | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Spain | Not commonly used in Turkey |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00 |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Turkish; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with white background and red border | Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
spain:
Not used in Spain
turkey:
Not commonly used in Turkey
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
turkey:
Unnecessary use prohibited in urban areas from 22:00 to 07:00
Traffic Signs: Language
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
turkey:
Turkish; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
turkey:
Triangle-shaped with a white background and red border
Turns
| Spain | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise | Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. | Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign |
Right Turn On Red
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
turkey:
Generally not allowed unless a specific sign permits it.
U- Turns Allowed
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
turkey:
Allowed at intersections unless prohibited by sign
Documentation
| Spain | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; must carry license. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. | International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required. | Periodic inspection required for all vehicles |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield in some areas. | Displayed on the windshield after inspection |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
turkey:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended for longer stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
turkey:
International Driving Permit required alongside a foreign license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
turkey:
Periodic inspection required for all vehicles
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
turkey:
Displayed on the windshield after inspection
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
spain:
Mandatory.
turkey:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory.
turkey:
Mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Spain | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Used more frequently in urgent situations | More frequent use compared to some countries |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
turkey:
More frequent use compared to some countries
Alcohol
| Spain | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints are frequent |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe penalties, including high fines | Varies by severity; can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension and fines |
Limits: Professional Drivers
spain:
0.03%
turkey:
0.00%
Enforcement: Random Checks
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
turkey:
Common; checkpoints are frequent
Enforcement: Fines
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
turkey:
Varies by severity; can be substantial
Test Refusal
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
turkey:
Can result in license suspension and fines
Emergency Services
| Spain | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check with local authorities | 155 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or RACE | Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services |
Contact: Traffic Police
spain:
Check with local authorities
turkey:
155
Contact: Roadside Assistance
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
turkey:
Check with your insurance provider or Turkish auto club services
Penalties And Fines
| Spain | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license | Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €200, mandatory use | Approximately TL 160, points may apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €200, points on license | Fines for holding a phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €200, points on license | Fines vary, penalty points apply |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; discount if paid promptly. | Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges |
Common Fines: Speeding
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
turkey:
Varies; TL 140 to TL 400 and above, points on license
Common Fines: Alcohol
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
turkey:
Varies; substantial fines and penalty points, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
spain:
€200, mandatory use
turkey:
Approximately TL 160, points may apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
spain:
€200, points on license
turkey:
Fines for holding a phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
spain:
€200, points on license
turkey:
Fines vary, penalty points apply
Payment: On The Spot
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
turkey:
Yes; fines may be imposed and collected immediately
Payment: Deadline
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
turkey:
Varies; typically required to be paid promptly to avoid surcharges