Safe Driving in Spain - general advice only for safe
car travel in Spain!
For information assistance only - this is NOT stated as legal fact!
You need to take particular care when driving in Spain as driving regulations and customs are different from those in the United Kingdom.
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 to help you travel safely in Spain .
A full UK driving License is
required in all Countries. Seat belts are compulsory to be worn in the front
and rear of the vehicle.
Driving
Regulations in
Spain
For safe car travel in Spain, be aware that the
use of indicators on motorways is being strictly enforced. You run the risk of
being fined if you do not indicate before overtaking and again before pulling
back to the inside lane after overtaking. It is also important to note that you
should not cross the solid white line as you enter onto a motorway from a slip
road, you should wait until the line is broken. This also applies on all ‘A’
roads as well as motorways. You are not allowed to take a turn off across the
lanes when the white lines are solid, you should only cross where there is a
broken line.
It is often the case that, if you wish to turn left off a main
road, there is a slip road off to the right which takes you to a safer point to cross
with a clearer view or with traffic lights to aid a safer crossing across the
main road as you are not allowed to turn off left across the main road unless
there is a specific lane to do so, or broken lines. This is an important
rule to remember for driving safely in Spain.
Also, on approaching a main
‘A’ road with the intention of turning left, there is usually a central slip
road to move into and when it is clear to do so of passing traffic, you may filter safely
into the main stream of traffic. It is important to be aware of this for
safe car driving in Spain as it tends to 'throw' you when it is first done in
front of you - just be a little wary in case the driver is impatient and filters
into the flow of traffic too quickly and does not wait until you have safely
passed by.
Driving Regulations in Spain are that speed limits on
the motorways is 120 km/h and on the open road 90-100 km/h. In the towns, it
varies, dependent on the location of schools and built up areas but generally it
is 50 km/h.
Again, for safe driving in Spain, it is important to note that
alcohol limits are lower than in the UK and it is zero tolerance. Alcohol
allowance is only 0.5 mg/ml. If you do this, you could risk a severe fine,
withdrawal of your license or even imprisonment, so don’t do it!
Children under the age of 12
cannot travel in the front unless using a suitably adapted restraint system. It
is compulsory for passengers under 135 cm tall to use specially adapted safety
devices and restraints if travelling in the rear seats. However, if seat belts
are fitted in the rear of the vehicle, it is compulsory for passengers to use
them.
It is
specified in Spain also that you should always carry your driving license, your
vehicle registration document (V5) and certificate of motor insurance. (most
people make copies to carry with them in the vehicle for security reasons). If
your driving license does not illustrate a photograph of yourself, then you
should carry your passport for identification purposes. If the vehicle is not
registered in your name, carry a letter from the registered owner giving you
permission to drive.
Fines can
be issued on the spot. If you are unlucky enough to receive this, ensure that
you are issued with an official receipt by the officer collecting the fine.
Although not compulsory, it is advisable to carry a First-Aid Kit in
your vehicle.
Garages
accept most credit cards but it is advisable to let your card issuer know you
will be travelling abroad as this ensures they don’t refuse or suspend your card
when it is used in unfamiliar places. They are looking after your interests, so
let them know in advance to avoid this embarrassment.
Dipped
headlights should be used in poor visibility during the day. It is compulsory to
carry a Replacement bulb set. Motorcycles must use dipped headlights during the
day at all times. Motor Cyclists and passengers must wear crash helmets.
The
minimum age you are able to drive in Spain, with a full UK Driving License is 18
for a car and also a motorcycle over 75cc. If however, you hold an old-style
green license, you might find the police will not understand them, so either get
them up-dated or take an International Driving Permit with you but it is easy to
up-date your driving license – you can get the details at any Post Office.
Third
party insurance is compulsory. Although a green card is not required, it is
advisable to advise your insurer of your trip.
If you
are travelling in the Spanish Pyrenees or any mountainous regions in Spain during
the Winter, it is highly recommended to travel safely in Spain, that you carry Snow Chains, as, if
conditions demand you use them, the police can prevent you from continuing with
your journey if you do not have any with you.
Bright
Visibility Vests are now compulsory in Spain, it is likely to become compulsory
throughout the EU. The number of vests required vary from country to country
but common sense suggests that there should be a vest for each passenger and
before leaving the vehicle, they should be worn so everyone is clearly visible.
If you follow this driving regulation, you should have no problem with the police.
Another
important compulsory matter to drive safely in Spain is that Triangles should be carried in the event of a
breakdown or accident. Only one is required for non-Spanish registered vehicles
but to avoid any problems with the police, we recommend two triangles should be
carried. All Spanish registered vehicles require to carry two.
All
information on this page is intended as a guideline only. It is not meant to be
an official notification of the rules governing this country. We attempt to
keep the information up to date but we cannot be held responsible in any way
whatsoever for any consequences arising from any inaccuracies. If you have
additional information and can aid us in providing a better service, then please
feel free to email us through our contact link.
For your car rentals in SPAIN -
GO TO:
http://www.car-hire-4u.com/Spain_Car_Hire/
For your car rentals in other
Countries -
GO TO:
http://www.car-hire-4u.com/France_Car_Hire/
http://www.car-hire-4u.com/Cyprus_Car_Hire/
http://www.car-hire-4u.com/USA_Car_Hire/
http://www.car-hire-4u.com/Italy_Car_Hire/
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