Driving in Spain vs United Kingdom: Key Differences Explained
When exploring the roads of Spain and the United Kingdom, understanding their contrasting regulations is essential for a safe journey. From the driving side—right in Spain and left in the UK—to varying speed limits and signaling protocols, these distinctions are crucial for ensuring road safety abroad. Discover the unique driving practices of each nation to navigate confidently.
Lanes
| Spain | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driving Side | Right | Left |
| Markings: Solid White Line | No crossing or lane changes allowed. | Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle). |
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions. |
| Markings: Double Solid White Line | No crossing in either direction. | Do not cross or straddle in either direction. |
| Markings: Dashed Yellow Line | Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe. | Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. | Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4] | Railroad crossings | Near schools |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use leftmost lane. |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Mostly exclusive for bicycles. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence | Yes | No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads. |
| High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements | Minimum two or three occupants | N/A |
Driving Side
spain:
Right
united kingdom:
Left
Markings: Solid White Line
spain:
No crossing or lane changes allowed.
united kingdom:
Do not cross unless it is safe and necessary (e.g., overtaking a stationary vehicle).
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used in the UK, yellow lines usually indicate parking restrictions.
Markings: Double Solid White Line
spain:
No crossing in either direction.
united kingdom:
Do not cross or straddle in either direction.
Markings: Dashed Yellow Line
spain:
Centerline on two-way roads; passing permitted when safe.
united kingdom:
Not commonly used for lane markings in the UK.
Overtaking: On Right
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
united kingdom:
Prohibited unless in specific situations such as roadworks.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas[ Index 4]
spain:
Railroad crossings
united kingdom:
Near schools
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
united kingdom:
Use leftmost lane.
Bus Lanes: Usage
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
united kingdom:
Reserved for buses and sometimes taxis, cyclists, and motorcycles during specific hours.
Bus Lanes: Markings
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
united kingdom:
Labeled 'BUS LANE'; often with signs indicating operating hours.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
united kingdom:
Mostly exclusive for bicycles.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
united kingdom:
Bicycle symbols and sometimes colored pavement.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
united kingdom:
No, generally not used in the UK for regular roads, but sometimes used on specific toll roads.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
united kingdom:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Spain | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30 mph |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 20 mph in some areas |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 50 mph |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50 mph |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 70 mph |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 60 mph |
| Highways: Trucks And Trailers | 90 km/h | 60 mph |
| Speed Units | km/h | mph |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Not typically used; fines are usually mailed |
Urban Areas: Standard
spain:
50 km/h
united kingdom:
30 mph
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
spain:
20-30 km/h
united kingdom:
20 mph in some areas
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
spain:
80-90 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
70-80 km/h
united kingdom:
50 mph
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
120 km/h
united kingdom:
70 mph
Highways: Buses And Vans
spain:
100 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
90 km/h
united kingdom:
60 mph
Speed Units
spain:
km/h
united kingdom:
mph
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
spain:
Yes, commonly used
united kingdom:
Not typically used; fines are usually mailed
Signals
| Spain | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Spain | Prepare to go, not used in the USA |
| Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts | Signal when exiting | Signal when entering and exiting |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; symbols are standard |
| Traffic Signs: Warning | Triangular with white background and red border | Triangular-shaped with a red border |
Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together
spain:
Not used in Spain
united kingdom:
Prepare to go, not used in the USA
Use Of Indicators: Roundabouts
spain:
Signal when exiting
united kingdom:
Signal when entering and exiting
Traffic Signs: Language
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
united kingdom:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
united kingdom:
Triangular-shaped with a red border
Turns
| Spain | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise | Not permitted in the UK |
| Left Turn: General | Permitted unless prohibited by signs | Left turns permitted; use caution |
| Left Turn: At Intersections | Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left | Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic. |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. | Allowed except where prohibited by signage |
Right Turn On Red
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
united kingdom:
Not permitted in the UK
Left Turn: General
spain:
Permitted unless prohibited by signs
united kingdom:
Left turns permitted; use caution
Left Turn: At Intersections
spain:
Yield to oncoming traffic when turning left
united kingdom:
Priority must be given to pedestrians and oncoming traffic.
U- Turns Allowed
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
united kingdom:
Allowed except where prohibited by signage
Documentation
| Spain | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; must carry license. | Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. | International Driving Permit often required alongside national license |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required. | MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield in some areas. | Not displayed; records are electronic |
| 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.
united kingdom:
Accepted, International Driving Permit recommended for long stays
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
united kingdom:
International Driving Permit often required alongside national license
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
united kingdom:
MOT test is required annually for vehicles older than 3 years
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
united kingdom:
Not displayed; records are electronic
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
spain:
Mandatory.
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory.
united kingdom:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Spain | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Used more frequently in urgent situations | Less frequent use compared to some countries |
| Emergency Vehicles: Protocol | Pull over to the right and stop if necessary | Pull over to the side and stop if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
united kingdom:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
united kingdom:
Pull over to the side and stop if necessary
Alcohol
| Spain | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: General Drivers | 0.05% | 0.08% |
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.02% |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints used in some areas |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe penalties, including high fines | Substantial fines apply |
| Test Refusal | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: General Drivers
spain:
0.05%
united kingdom:
0.08%
Limits: Professional Drivers
spain:
0.03%
united kingdom:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
united kingdom:
0.02%
Enforcement: Random Checks
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
united kingdom:
Common; checkpoints used in some areas
Enforcement: Fines
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
united kingdom:
Substantial fines apply
Test Refusal
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
united kingdom:
Can result in license suspension
Roundabouts
| Spain | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Signaling: Entering | Signal if turning immediately upon entry | Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight |
| Lane Usage: Right | Use for first exit or straight | Use for first exit |
Signaling: Entering
spain:
Signal if turning immediately upon entry
united kingdom:
Signal left if taking the first exit, no signal for straight
Lane Usage: Right
spain:
Use for first exit or straight
united kingdom:
Use for first exit
Emergency Services
| Spain | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check with local authorities | 999 or 112 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or RACE | Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
spain:
112
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Traffic Police
spain:
Check with local authorities
united kingdom:
999 or 112
Contact: Roadside Assistance
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
united kingdom:
Check with your insurance provider or RAC/AA
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
spain:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory
united kingdom:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Spain | United kingdom | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license | Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €200, mandatory use | £100 fine |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €200, points on license | £200 and 6 penalty points |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €200, points on license | £100 fine and 3 penalty points |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; discount if paid promptly. | Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically 28 days to pay |
Common Fines: Speeding
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
united kingdom:
Varies; £100 and 3 penalty points
Common Fines: Alcohol
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
united kingdom:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
spain:
€200, mandatory use
united kingdom:
£100 fine
Common Fines: Phone Use
spain:
€200, points on license
united kingdom:
£200 and 6 penalty points
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
spain:
€200, points on license
united kingdom:
£100 fine and 3 penalty points
Payment: On The Spot
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
united kingdom:
Rare; fines usually paid online or by mail
Payment: Deadline
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
united kingdom:
Varies; typically 28 days to pay