Spain Plus More

Driving in Spain

Your Questions answered

Generally it will only take a few days to get used to driving on the right.  Many of the road signs are the same as at home and in our experience, people adapt very quickly.

General Tips and Road Information

Immediately outside many towns are sensors which detect your speed as you approach the town. If you're going over the speed limit, a traffic light at the edge of the town is automatically turned to red so that you must come to a stop before entering the town. Two red lights mean No entry. Jaywalking is illegal and its prohibition is strictly enforced. Generally, traffic on the right has priority. Normally where a minor road intersects a major road there's a sign reading Stop or Ceda el Paso (give way); if such a sign is not in place, the traffic on the major road still has priority.
When in daylight and outside a built-up area, you must use the horn to indicate your intention to pass; at night, flash the headlights instead. It's illegal not to use your vehicle's directional indicators to indicate your intention to pass. If a vehicle comes up behind you signalling that it wants to pass and if you see that the road ahead is clear, you must signal with your vehicle's right blinker to acknowledge the situation.

Speed Limits

Speed limits in Spain are measured in KPH (Kilometres per Hour) and not MPH (Miles per Hour) as in the UK. Ensure you check road signs as speed limits can vary greatly.

Motorways 74mph/120kph
Dual Carriageways 65mph/100kph
Built-up areas 30mph/50kph
Residential areas 12mph/19kph

Requirements:

Minimum driving age:
The minimum driving age in Spain is 18.

Driving licences in Spain:

 Photo card driving licences (with the paper counterpart) are suitable for use in Spain in most instances; if in doubt make sure you have arranged an international driving permit in advance of your trip.

Spanish Driving Insurance:

When you drive in Spain you are legally required to have third party driving insurance cover.

When you are driving in Spain you are required to have with you the following:

• 2 warning triangles
• Replacement bulbs
• A reflective jacket
• Driving licence
• Vehicle registration
• Certificate of motor insurance

Seatbelts:

Seatbelts are compulsory in the front and back.

Children in the front seat:

Children over 12 years may sit in the front seat.

Motorcycles:

Motorcyclists must use headlights both at night and during the day. When you travel on a motorcycle in Spain, either as the driver or as a passenger, you are required to wear a helmet at all times.

Tunnels:

It is law that all vehicles must use their headlights when driving through tunnels in Spain.

Car horns:

You must not use your car horn in built up areas of Spain, the only exception being in cases of immediate and extreme danger. Elsewhere don't use the horn unnecessarily, except as a warning device to others.

The above information is intended as guide only, local laws, speed limits and regulations should be followed at all times.