Driving in Spain

Driving In Spain Tips & Info

Driving in Spain can be tricky especially for foreigners who are not aware of the Spanish driving rules. Therefore, we put together for you a list with tips and info in order to make Driving in Spain easy and safe.

Spain is a European country located in the Iberian Peninsula. Spain is one of the few countries with coastlines both to the Mediterranean Sea and to the Atlantic Ocean. Spain’s territory also includes two archipelagos: the Balearic Islands, and the Canary Islands.

Road Info

Spain is the second largest country in the European Union with an area covering more than 500 000 sq. km/195,000 sq. mi.

Spain road network includes 6 highways which connect Madrid with all the regions of the country: Basque Country, Catalonia, Valencia, West Andalusia, Extremadura and Galicia.

There are also 3 costal highways: Ferrol to Vigo, Oviedo to San Sebastian, Girona to Cadiz.

Driving Rules

Seat Belt Requirements

Wearing a seatbelt in Spain is mandatory both on the front and rear seats. On vehicles manufactured before 1992 it is not necessary to wear a seat-belt in the rear seats.

Travelling With Children

Children younger than 12 years old and measuring up to 1.35m must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their age and seizes. Children older than 12 years old measuring more than 1.35m can use the car’s seat belt system.

General Driving Rules

• Talking on the phone while driving is prohibited
• Radar detectors are prohibited
• Warning triangles are mandatory
• It is prohibited to sound the horn in urban areas
• Driving in bus lanes it is restricted
• At junctions, priority is marked and all road signs must be obeyed

Wacky Driving Rules

• While driving in Spain it is forbidden to wear flip-flops or open-backed sandals
• If you are required to wear glasses, you need to carry an additional pair when driving

Speed Limit

• Urban: 50km/h – 31mph
• Rural: 90km/h – 56mph
• Motorway: 120 km/h – 74mph

Driving Side In Spain

In Spain you should drive on the right side of the road. When coming towards a roundabout, give priority to traffic coming from the left

Alcohol Limit

The alcohol limit in Spain is 0.05% (0,25 mg/l). For drivers with less than 2 years’ experience and for freight vehicles drivers the limit is 0.03% (0,15 mg/l). Exceeding the limits is a serious offence and can lead to prison sentences and driving licence suspension

Driving Licence Requirements

Eu drivers who drive for less than one year in Spain can use their domestic licence. It is important to have also an id card or passport with you. The drivers outside EU must have international driving licences.

Emergency Numbers

• Police: 112/091
• Fire: 112/080
• Ambulance: 112/061
• AA breakdown: 00 800 8877 6655

Fuel Costs

Here are the fuel prices recorded in the beginning of June 2017:

• Unleaded 1.194 EUR/l
• Diesel 1.077 EUR/l
• LPG 0.606 EUR/l

Rob Gillespie

Having worked in the car rental industry for over 15 years, he really knows his stuff. Rob heads up our marketing department and as a keen traveller, always has a new location to talk about. Particularly if there is a golf course nearby.

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