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Self-Drive
Motoring holidays in Spain.
Tips on driving abroad
in Spain. Motoring rules and regulations in Spain. Spanish motoring laws.
Autopista (motorway) and
tunnel Tolls
Distances
from Channel Ports
International Driving Permit
Interactive Route
Planner
Relative Carbon
Emissions
Buy Road Maps of Spain
Make sure you Drive Alive! Drive on
the right!
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Be especially careful when setting
off from service stations or restaurants on the left side of the road.
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Take care when overtaking - allow
more space between you and the car in front so you can see further down the
road ahead.
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Spain
has strict drink driving laws, only allowing 0.5 milligrams of alcohol per
millilitre of blood - stricter than the UK where the limit is 0.8. New drivers
are effectively forbidden to drink and drive, with a very low 0.1 mg/l limit.
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Seat belts front and rear are
obligatory everywhere.
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When approaching a roundabout give way to traffic already on the roundabout,
on your left, unless signed otherwise.
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Speed limits, shown below, are
implemented rigorously. Radar traps are frequent.
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Remember - Speeding and other
traffic offences are subject to on-the-spot fines.
In all countries a full UK driving licence is required. As in the UK, seat
belts should be worn front and rear. Below are motoring regulations relating to
Spain.
Beware in Spain.
The law operating in Spain regarding the use of indicators on
motorways is being strictly enforced. You risk being fined for not indicating
before overtaking and again before pulling back to the nearside lane after
overtaking. Also, ensure you do not cross the solid white line as you enter the
motorway from a slip road, but wait until the line is broken.
|
Speed limits |
Motorway |
Open Road |
Town |
Alcohol mg/ml |
|
Spain |
120 km/h |
90-100 km/h |
50 km/h |
0.5 |
Bail
Bond: a guarantee to be lodged with the police in the event of an accident
or major traffic violation - no longer a legal requirement for Spain and most
insurance companies have stopped issuing them.
Children
in cars: Children under 12 cannot travel in the front unless using a
suitably adapted restraint system. In the rear, passengers under 135cm tall must
use specially adapted safety devices and restraints.
Documentation: always carry your driving licence,
vehicle registration document (V5), and certificate of motor insurance. If your
licence does not incorporate a photograph ensure you carry your passport to
validate the licence. If the vehicle is not registered in your name, carry a
letter from the registered owner giving you permission to drive.
Drinking
and driving: Don't do it. Over 0.05 per cent and you could face anything
from a severe fine, withdrawal of your licence, up to imprisonment.
Fines: On the spot fines are issued. Ensure an official receipt is issued
by the officer collecting the fine.
First-aid kit is advised, but not compulsory.
Fuel:
All grades of unleaded petrol (benzin), diesel (gasoleo 'A') and LPG are
available as well as lead substitute additive. Leaded no longer exists. It is
allowed to carry petrol in a can. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted,
although they probably won't work at automatic pumps, which are often the only
pumps open out-of-hours and at lunch-time (from noon to 3pm) away from the
Autoroutes. It's a good idea to let your card issuer know you will be travelling
abroad. This ensures they don't suspend your card if they spot it being used in
unfamiliar places, which they sometimes do as an anti-fraud measure.
GB sticker: UK
registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the
national identifier on blue background) no longer need a GB sticker when
driving in European Union countries.
Glasses (Spectacles): wearers must carry a spare
pair in the car at all times.
Headlamp converters are compulsory.
Lights:
dipped headlights should be used in poor daytime visibility. Motorcycles must
use dipped headlights during the day at all times.
Minimum
age for driving, provided you hold a full UK licence, is 18 for a car and
for a motorcycle over 75cc. If you've got an old-style all-green licence you
might find the police will not understand them, so either get them up-dated or
take an International Driving Permit as well.
Motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear crash helmets.
Motor insurance: third-party insurance is compulsory. A green card is not
required but your insurer should be advised of your trip.
Replacement bulb set is compulsory.
Seat
belts are compulsory for front and rear seat occupants, if fitted.
Snow
chains are recommended to be carried in the Spanish Pyrenees and all
mountainous regions of Spain during winter, and if you do not carry and fit them
when conditions demand the police can prevent you continuing your journey. Click
for general
information on winter tyres and snow chains.
Visibility Vests are now compulsory in Spain. They are also compulsory in
Austria, Belgium, France, Italy, Norway and Portugal and (and likely to become
compulsory throughout the EU). The rules vary from country to
country concerning number of vests required and whether they should be carried
in the car or boot. Common sense suggests that there should be a vest for every
occupant, and that the vests should be carried in the car, and put on before
getting out. Do this and you will not have a problem.
Warning
triangle is compulsory. One only is required for non-Spanish registered
vehicles. Two required for Spanish vehicles, but to avoid difficulties with the
police we recommend two triangles should be carried.
BACK TO TOP
All information on this page is provided as a
service to our clients. It is intended as a guide to the more important rules
for the different countries to which we offer driving holidays. It is not meant
to be a comprehensive document. We try and keep the information on this page
up-to-date, but we cannot be held responsible in any way for any consequences
arising from any inaccuracies. If you find a mistake or would like to send us
some additional information, please email
us. Your co-operation is appreciated.
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