Driving in Spain vs. Vanuatu: Key Safety Differences
Discover the unique driving customs of Spain and Vanuatu, where road regulations diverge significantly. From lane usage and speed limits to alcohol tolerance and emergency protocols, each country presents distinct guidelines for motorists. Understanding these variations is essential for ensuring a safe and enjoyable journey, whether you're navigating Spain's bustling streets or Vanuatu's scenic paths.
Lanes
| Spain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Overtaking: On Right | Prohibited unless on a one-way street. | Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left. |
| Bus Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Bus Lanes: Usage | Reserved for buses and taxis. | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Bus Lanes: Markings | Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs. | N/A |
| Cycle Lanes: Presence | Yes | No |
| Cycle Lanes: Usage | Exclusive for bicycles. | Bicycles generally share the road with cars. |
| 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 | Not applicable in Vanuatu. |
| Variable Speed Limits: Presence | Yes | No |
| Variable Speed Limits: Indications | Electronic signs display current limits. | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
Overtaking: On Right
spain:
Prohibited unless on a one-way street.
vanuatu:
Allowed on multi-lane roads or when the vehicle ahead is turning left.
Bus Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Bus Lanes: Usage
spain:
Reserved for buses and taxis.
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Bus Lanes: Markings
spain:
Labeled 'BUS' or 'TAXI'; often with road signs.
vanuatu:
N/A
Cycle Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Cycle Lanes: Usage
spain:
Exclusive for bicycles.
vanuatu:
Bicycles generally share the road with cars.
Cycle Lanes: Markings
spain:
Bicycle symbols and colored pavement.
vanuatu:
N/A
High- Occupancy Lanes: Presence
spain:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
High- Occupancy Lanes: Requirements
spain:
Minimum two or three occupants
vanuatu:
Not applicable in Vanuatu.
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
spain:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits.
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Speeds Limits
| Spain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Urban Areas: Standard | 50 km/h | 30-40 km/h |
| Urban Areas: Residential Zones | 20-30 km/h | 30 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles | 90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Buses And Vans | 80-90 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers | 70-80 km/h | 50-80 km/h |
| Highways: Cars And Motorcycles | 120 km/h | 80 km/h |
| Highways: Buses And Vans | 100 km/h | 80 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 | Not commonly used in Vanuatu. |
| Enforcement: Speed Cameras | Yes | Rare |
| Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines | Yes, commonly used | Yes; fines can be issued directly. |
Urban Areas: Standard
spain:
50 km/h
vanuatu:
30-40 km/h
Urban Areas: Residential Zones
spain:
20-30 km/h
vanuatu:
30 km/h
Rural Areas: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Buses And Vans
spain:
80-90 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Rural Areas: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
70-80 km/h
vanuatu:
50-80 km/h
Highways: Cars And Motorcycles
spain:
120 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Buses And Vans
spain:
100 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Highways: Trucks And Trailers
spain:
90 km/h
vanuatu:
80 km/h
Variable Speed Limits: Presence
spain:
Yes
vanuatu:
No
Variable Speed Limits: Indications
spain:
Electronic signs display current limits
vanuatu:
Not commonly used in Vanuatu.
Enforcement: Speed Cameras
spain:
Yes
vanuatu:
Rare
Enforcement: On-the- Spot Fines
spain:
Yes, commonly used
vanuatu:
Yes; fines can be issued directly.
Signals
| Spain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Traffic Lights: Red And Amber Together | Not used in Spain | Not used in Vanuatu |
| Traffic Signs: Language | Spanish; symbols are standard | English; 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
vanuatu:
Not used in Vanuatu
Traffic Signs: Language
spain:
Spanish; symbols are standard
vanuatu:
English; symbols are standard
Traffic Signs: Warning
spain:
Triangular with white background and red border
vanuatu:
Diamond-shaped with yellow background
Turns
| Spain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Right Turn On Red | Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise | Not typically allowed |
| U- Turns Allowed | Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs. | Varies; check local regulations and signs |
Right Turn On Red
spain:
Prohibited unless a sign indicates otherwise
vanuatu:
Not typically allowed
U- Turns Allowed
spain:
Generally prohibited unless explicitly allowed by signs.
vanuatu:
Varies; check local regulations and signs
Documentation
| Spain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A | Accepted; must carry license. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U | International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license. | Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended |
| Insurance | Liability insurance mandatory | Third-party insurance mandatory |
| Vehicle Inspection: Requirement | Yes, periodic inspections required. | Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops |
| Vehicle Inspection: Sticker | Displayed on windshield in some areas. | No standard requirement |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory. | Recommended but not mandatory |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory. | Not mandatory |
Driver's License: Foreign: E U/ E E A
spain:
Accepted; must carry license.
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Driver's License: Foreign: Non- E U
spain:
International Driving Permit recommended in conjunction with national license.
vanuatu:
Accepted for short visits; International Driving Permit recommended
Insurance
spain:
Liability insurance mandatory
vanuatu:
Third-party insurance mandatory
Vehicle Inspection: Requirement
spain:
Yes, periodic inspections required.
vanuatu:
Required; proof may be checked during traffic stops
Vehicle Inspection: Sticker
spain:
Displayed on windshield in some areas.
vanuatu:
No standard requirement
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
spain:
Mandatory.
vanuatu:
Recommended but not mandatory
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory.
vanuatu:
Not mandatory
Road Etiquette
| Spain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| 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 to the side and stop, if necessary |
Use Of Horn: Cultural Norm
spain:
Used more frequently in urgent situations
vanuatu:
Less frequent use compared to some countries
Emergency Vehicles: Protocol
spain:
Pull over to the right and stop if necessary
vanuatu:
Pull to the side and stop, if necessary
Alcohol
| Spain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Limits: Professional Drivers | 0.03% | 0.02% |
| Limits: Underage Drivers | 0.00%; zero tolerance | 0.00% - zero tolerance |
| Enforcement: Random Checks | Common; checkpoints frequently used | Occasional |
| Enforcement: Fines | Severe penalties, including high fines | Fines can be substantial |
| Test Refusal | Can result in heavy fines and license suspension | Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest |
Limits: Professional Drivers
spain:
0.03%
vanuatu:
0.02%
Limits: Underage Drivers
spain:
0.00%; zero tolerance
vanuatu:
0.00% - zero tolerance
Enforcement: Random Checks
spain:
Common; checkpoints frequently used
vanuatu:
Occasional
Enforcement: Fines
spain:
Severe penalties, including high fines
vanuatu:
Fines can be substantial
Test Refusal
spain:
Can result in heavy fines and license suspension
vanuatu:
Can lead to penalties including fines or arrest
Emergency Services
| Spain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Contact: Traffic Police | Check with local authorities | 112 for general assistance |
| Contact: Roadside Assistance | Contact your insurance provider or RACE | Check with your insurance provider or local agencies |
| Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
| Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest | Mandatory | Not mandatory, but recommended |
Contact: Traffic Police
spain:
Check with local authorities
vanuatu:
112 for general assistance
Contact: Roadside Assistance
spain:
Contact your insurance provider or RACE
vanuatu:
Check with your insurance provider or local agencies
Emergency Equipment: Warning Triangles
spain:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Emergency Equipment: Reflective Vest
spain:
Mandatory
vanuatu:
Not mandatory, but recommended
Penalties And Fines
| Spain | Vanuatu | |
|---|---|---|
| Common Fines: Speeding | Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license | Varies; can be significant |
| Common Fines: Alcohol | Severe fines and potential imprisonment | Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time |
| Common Fines: Seat Belts | €200, mandatory use | Fines apply |
| Common Fines: Phone Use | €200, points on license | Fines apply for use while driving |
| Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation | €200, points on license | Fines applicable |
| Payment: On The Spot | Yes; discount if paid promptly. | Possible; or through police stations |
Common Fines: Speeding
spain:
Varies; typically €100 to €600, points on license
vanuatu:
Varies; can be significant
Common Fines: Alcohol
spain:
Severe fines and potential imprisonment
vanuatu:
Varies; substantial fines, possible jail time
Common Fines: Seat Belts
spain:
€200, mandatory use
vanuatu:
Fines apply
Common Fines: Phone Use
spain:
€200, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines apply for use while driving
Common Fines: Traffic Light Violation
spain:
€200, points on license
vanuatu:
Fines applicable
Payment: On The Spot
spain:
Yes; discount if paid promptly.
vanuatu:
Possible; or through police stations