Driving Differences: Spain vs Uzbekistan Explained
When comparing the driving practices of Spain and Uzbekistan, significant contrasts emerge in traffic regulations, road etiquette, and speed limits. Notably, Spain allows variable speed limits and has stricter alcohol limits for professional drivers, while Uzbekistan emphasizes cautious overtaking and has zero tolerance for underage drivers. Understanding these disparities is crucial for ensuring a safe journey in either nation.
Lanes
| Spain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Markings: Solid Yellow Line | Marks the left edge on divided roads. | Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads. |
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. | Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable. |
| Overtaking: Prohibited Areas | List length: 5 | List length: 4 |
| Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles | Use rightmost lane. | Use the rightmost lane where possible. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Reserved for buses in some areas. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs. |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | Limited, mostly in urban areas. |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Exclusive for bicycles where present. |
| Cycle Lanes: Markings | Bicycle symbols and colored pavement. | May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint. |
| 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 |
Markings: Solid Yellow Line
spain:
Marks the left edge on divided roads.
uzbekistan:
Typically used to separate opposing traffic on undivided roads.
Overtaking: On Right
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
uzbekistan:
Generally discouraged, unless unavoidable.
Overtaking: Prohibited Areas
spain:
List length: 5
uzbekistan:
List length: 4
Lane Usage: Slow Vehicles
spain:
Use rightmost lane.
uzbekistan:
Use the rightmost lane where possible.
Bus Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited
Bus Lanes: Usage
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
uzbekistan:
Reserved for buses in some areas.
Bus Lanes: Markings
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
uzbekistan:
Labeled 'BUS'; often indicated by signs.
Cycle Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
uzbekistan:
Limited, mostly in urban areas.
Cycle Lanes: Usage
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
uzbekistan:
Exclusive for bicycles where present.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
uzbekistan:
May have bicycle symbols or distinct paint.
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
uzbekistan:
N/A
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
spain:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
uzbekistan:
N/A
Speeds Limits
| Spain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 60 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 100 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 |
| 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; issued by traffic police |
Urban Areas: Standard
spain:
50 km/h
uzbekistan:
60 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
spain:
20-30 km/h
uzbekistan:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
90 km/h
uzbekistan:
100 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
spain:
80-90 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
70-80 km/h
uzbekistan:
80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
120 km/h
uzbekistan:
110 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
spain:
100 km/h
uzbekistan:
90 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
spain:
Yes
uzbekistan:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
uzbekistan:
N/A
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
spain:
Yes, commonly used
uzbekistan:
Yes; issued by traffic police
Signals
| Spain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Spain | Not used in Uzbekistan |
| Horn Usage: Prohibited Times | Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply | Discouraged at night in residential areas |
| Headlight Flash: Usage | To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking | To warn other drivers of your presence |
| Hand Signals: Common Usage | Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected | Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | Uzbek and Russian; 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
uzbekistan:
Not used in Uzbekistan
Horn Usage: Prohibited Times
spain:
Unnecessary use discouraged; local ordinances may apply
uzbekistan:
Discouraged at night in residential areas
Headlight Flash: Usage
spain:
To warn other drivers of your presence or to indicate overtaking
uzbekistan:
To warn other drivers of your presence
Hand Signals: Common Usage
spain:
Rare, as vehicle indicators are expected
uzbekistan:
Generally uncommon, as vehicle indicators are expected
Traffic Signs: Language
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
uzbekistan:
Uzbek and Russian; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
uzbekistan:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Spain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise | Prohibited unless indicated otherwise |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. | Allowed except where prohibited by signs |
Right Turn On Red
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
uzbekistan:
Prohibited unless indicated otherwise
U- Turns Allowed
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
uzbekistan:
Allowed except where prohibited by signs
Documentation
| Spain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; must carry license. | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. | Accepted with International Driving Permit |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required. | Annual inspections required |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield in some areas. | Displayed on the windshield |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
uzbekistan:
Accepted with International Driving Permit
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
uzbekistan:
Annual inspections required
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
uzbekistan:
Displayed on the windshield
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
spain:
Mandatory.
uzbekistan:
Mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory.
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Road Etiquette
| Spain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging | Common practice, especially in heavy traffic | Encouraged |
| Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm | Used more frequently in urgent situations | Generally more frequent due to local driving habits |
Lane Courtesy: Allowing Merging
spain:
Common practice, especially in heavy traffic
uzbekistan:
Encouraged
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
uzbekistan:
Generally more frequent due to local driving habits
Alcohol
| Spain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.00% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21 |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe penalties, including high fines | Substantial, varies by severity of infraction |
| Test Refusal | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension | Can result in license suspension |
Limits: Professional Drivers
spain:
0.03%
uzbekistan:
0.00%
Limits: Underage Drivers
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
uzbekistan:
0.00%; zero tolerance for drivers under 21
Enforcement: Random Checks
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
uzbekistan:
Common; checkpoints are frequently utilized
Enforcement: Fines
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
uzbekistan:
Substantial, varies by severity of infraction
Test Refusal
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
uzbekistan:
Can result in license suspension
Emergency Services
| Spain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: General Emergency | 112 | 103 |
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check with local authorities | 102 |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or RACE | Check with your insurance provider |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: General Emergency
spain:
112
uzbekistan:
103
Contact: Traffic Police
spain:
Check with local authorities
uzbekistan:
102
Contact: Roadside Assistance
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
uzbekistan:
Check with your insurance provider
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory
uzbekistan:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Spain | Uzbekistan | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license | Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €200, mandatory use | Fines for non-compliance |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €200, points on license | Fines for using phone while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €200, points on license | Fines issued, points on license possible |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; discount if paid promptly. | Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office |
| Payment: Deadline | Varies; typically 30 days to pay | Varies; typically within 30 days |
| Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment | Possible if fines are not paid | Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines |
Common Fines: Speeding
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
uzbekistan:
Varies; fines based on km/h over the limit
Common Fines: Alcohol
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
uzbekistan:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
spain:
€200, mandatory use
uzbekistan:
Fines for non-compliance
Common Fines: Phone Use
spain:
€200, points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines for using phone while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
spain:
€200, points on license
uzbekistan:
Fines issued, points on license possible
Payment: On The Spot
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
uzbekistan:
Not typical; fines often paid through bank or office
Payment: Deadline
spain:
Varies; typically 30 days to pay
uzbekistan:
Varies; typically within 30 days
Foreign Drivers: Vehicle Impoundment
spain:
Possible if fines are not paid
uzbekistan:
Possible for severe violations or unpaid fines