Guide To Driving In Spain

ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO DRIVING IN SPAIN

Many visitors either drive to Spain or rent a car when they get there. However, not only do the English speaking drivers from the UK and Ireland have to contend with driving on the “wrong” side of the road, there are many other differences that are new to them, even the road signs as there being about four times as many as there are where they normally drive.

The following tips are to give a few of the cautions that these drivers need to be aware of, such as: -

1. Alcohol and drugs. The alcohol limits are about half those in the UK and Ireland, and currently, the authorities are campaigning to reduce the number of accidents in Spain, which in 2001 was the third worst in the EU. Since then, they are much better due to campaigns, but still are not as low as Spanish government wants them. Consequently, there is zero tolerance being shown to anyone driving under the influence, and any penalties given will apply in the driver’s home EU country. Remember if stopped and found positive, you will not be allowed to drive away, and the fines are high as well as confiscation of licence for three months plus, plus penalty points being awarded for your driving licence (and attendance of compulsory schools for residents).

DRIVER’S Classifications Please note the quantities are: - Mg/l = milligrames per litre of air—breathalysed. g/l = grammes per litre of blood by sample.	MAX. ALCOHOL LEVEL RATES
	IN EXHALED AIR Mg/litre	IN BLOOD Gr/litre
All drivers are forbidden to be in charge of any vehicle with levels of alcohol exceeding>	0,25 mg/l	0,5 g/l
For transport vehicles of more than a Maximum Authorised Mass of 3.500 kg, not more than >	0,15	0,3
Drivers of vehicles with more than nine seats, and those who drive school buses, dangerous goods, public service vehicles, emergency services, and special services.  Not more than >	0,15	0,3
Drivers of any vehicle in the two years following the issue of their first permit/licence to drive, not more than >	0,15	0,3

2. Speed limits. While not as numerous by any means as in the UK, the speed camera salesmen have arrived and there are currently 500 static cameras set up on the roads in Spain, mainly on the 120 kph highways. However, unlike other countries, adequate warning is given of their locations in both the Trafico (the government authority handling all traffic matters in Spain) web site and with large warning signs. The Spanish attitude is to save lives more than collect cash. There are also portable radar traps used by local police in the towns and by the Guardia Civil on the highways. More information on speeding in Spain.

Vehicles	Roads >	Motorways Max / Min (kph)	Fast Main Roads Max / Min (kph	Other non-urban Roads Max / Min (kph	City Roads & Crossings. Max / Min (kph
Cars, Motorcycles & Similar		120 / 60	100 / 50	90 / 45	50 / 25
Buses & Adpated mixed vehicles.		100 / 60	90 / 45	80 / 40	50 / 25
Trucks, Vans & Articulated Vehicles		90 / 60	80 / 40	70 / 35	50 /25
Cars with a trailer/caravan.		80 / 60	80 / 50	70 / 35	50 / 25
Probationers: 1st yr. driving.		80 / 60	80 / 50	80 / 50	50 / 25

3. Rental cars. The rental car must have the following items to be legal, and the vehicle should not be accepted without them being present in the car (except for your glasses): -

• Two CE approved triangles for breakdown use.

• One or more reflective jacket which must be outside the car on all roads where the speed limit is over 50 kph. It must be kept in the passenger area (not the boot) and put on before exiting the car.

• Spare set of lamps or light-bulbs and the tool/s to change them.

• If you wear glasses for driving, a spare pair must be carried.

• You must always have your driving licence and passport (or a certified copy) with you when driving. If an EU citizen, then your EU licence is OK. If not from the EU, then you will need an International Driving Licence in addition to your original licence.

• Always check the rental vehicle thoroughly for any damage, however small, and have it noted on the rental company’s forms before accepting the car.

• Always check the tyre pressures as soon as possible after accepting the vehicle. In about 60 + % of cases, the pressures will be low, sometimes dangerously.

• Remember that the rental company is obliged by Law to give your details to the police in the event of any driving offence being committed where you were not stopped at the time, e.g. a camera trap.

• If you stop at the first filling station after collecting the car (and generally anyway) be aware of thieves who wait for opportunities to rob you. For example, never leave the car open while you pay the fuel bill unless there are fit and able adults in it.

• Never trust anyone stopping you to tell you that your tyre/s are flat or who bumps you from behind in a car park, etc.. They may have damaged them or bumped you for the purpose of robbing you, --and they always sound very helpful and nice.

Thanks to Brian Deller who produced the information above especially for the Costa Blanca Uncovered site.

Clearly it is essential to know what you are doing if you drive in Spain, otherwise as well as risking your own life, you could be endangering others. You need to know when to give way, when you are meant to go, you need to understand signs etc. Whether you are a tourist or resident we highly recommend Brian Deller's comprehensive book that covers the lot entitled Motoring in Spain. We have a special link to Amazon (just click on the picture to the right) which gives you the book at the cheapest price available anywhere. Amazon will deliver to the UK, Spain or anywhere else in Europe.

How to find cheap car hire for the Costa Blanca, Spain

Useful tips on hiring a car on the Costa Blanca, Spain