Driving in Spain...
| The following
gives information for visitors as well as residents. However, there
is far too much to include here and anyone driving any distances in
Spain should consider obtaining the book,
Motoring in Spain by Brian J Deller.
If you wish to see as much as possible
of Spain then having your own car is certainly the best method of
transport, even if it may take you a couple of days to feel
confident about driving on the opposite side of the road. As an EU
citizen and a tourist, to drive a foreign registered vehicle in
Spain you must have with you, and you can be fined for not obeying
the following: - your passport, current until after your
return home.
- Current driving licence,
preferably the EU type with the ring of stars.
- Two EU approved, red warning
triangles.
- Approved reflective jackets
that must be worn by all outside the car at anytime, day or
night, outside the vehicle at the side of any highway not in an
urban (street lights?) area. The jackets must be kept inside the
car so they can be put on before getting out and also
must be visible from outside the car. The pocket in the back of
the front seat is a good place. The jackets are inexpensive and
can be bought at most supermarkets if you do not have them
already.
- A set of spare lamps/bulbs for
your car and the tool/s to change them.
- If you wear corrective glasses
for driving, a spare pair.
- Your number plate should be an
EU one with the ring of stars containing your country code, or a
small plate/sticker with your country code (GB, etc) should
secured to the rear of the car.
- Valid insurance.
- All vehicle documents relating
to the car (legally certified copies are OK).
Recommended, but not mandatory is a
First Aid kit and a fire extinguisher.
If you are from outside the EU, you
will need an International Driving Licence issued by the correct
authority in your home country. It must have one page of information
in Spanish.
Remember that your “tourist status”
in a foreign country usually applies for only three months as far as
insurance is concerned, so for any longer periods, do not forget to
discuss this with your broker.
The roads in Spain vary from very
poor to very good, the latter especially since Spain joined the EU
and has benefited from the funding from other countries over the
last 20 years. The main connecting roads are generally excellent.
Roads are classified thus, and they can be easily clarified on a
road map.
- Autopista (motorway) -
A or E - prefix to road number: these can be toll roads (peajes).
Maximum speed 120 kph (73 mph).
- Autovia - dual
carriageway, not necessarily with a central reservation. Speed
limits vary from 80 to 140 kph.
- Carretera Nacional - N
or CN - prefix to road number, main roads. 100 to 60 kph.
- Carretera Comarcal - C
- prefix, country roads. 100 to 80 kph.
- Carretera Local -
highway. Speeds are as signed, but usually not more than 100
kph.
- Please note that the speeds
are somewhat less for various classes of vehicles including
towed trailers/caravans.
A FEW HINTS
The traffic-lights (semaforas) in Spain are more often than not,
situated only at your stop line for the junction and so you
can see when they change when you are in the front of the queue,
there is a set of smaller lights on the support post.
The Law for pedestrian crossings
until recently is not as strict as in for example, the UK where a
driver is always at fault if the vehicle hits a pedestrian on the
crossing. You must step onto the crossing, remembering to look
LEFT, and show the palm of your hand to any approaching vehicles.
Previously, they still did not have to stop, but a new Law involving
penalty points means that the drivers can be penalized now for not
stopping. Many tourists are injured, some killed each year, for only
looking right when crossing the road.
You may NOT overtake on the right
(inside lanes) on the highways unless there is a slip road or
another road indicated and you are taking it. I know this is the
same elsewhere in the World where bad drivers insist on cruising in
the middle lanes.
A FEW BASIC RULES
Give way to traffic from the left unless otherwise signed,
especially on roundabouts. Do not pull into the middle of the road
to turn left if there is a solid line in the road. There are often
special lanes for this, signposted cambio de sentido (change
of direction), especially on the autovias. All people in the
car must wear seatbelts if fitted, and children must be in specially
approved (EU) seats situated only in the rear due to possible injury
by front airbags in the event of a crash. Do not drink and drive -
the limits are about half those in the UK and the penalties very
high including losing your licence on the spot, boosted by the new
“rapid justice” Courts, as are heavy on-the-spot fines for traffic
offences. You will not be allowed to leave the area until you have
paid any fine or appeared in Court, including spending time in the
cells if you cannot pay in cash.
Parking
As a general rule you may not park in Spain where the pavement curb
is painted yellow or where a no parking sign is displayed. In major
cities and now even the pueblos, non-metered on-street parking is
difficult to find but in some areas, there are parking spaces marked
in blue for which you should purchase a ticket from a nearby machine
on the pavement usually topped with a blue and white “P” sign, or
from an attendant. These spaces are usually for about two hours
maximum. Penalties for parking infringements vary from town to town
and can be heavy. |
| If you park
illegally, especially in a foreign car, you will almost
certainly become a victim of the 'grua' - the local
tow truck, and if you suffer this, there should be a sticker
left on the curb with the phone number/address of your car’s
new location. Getting your car back will be a hassle and
will cost you dearly in fines and fees, not to mention the
possible problem of your not speaking Spanish. Where
possible, look for underground parking with security
attendance. It's worth paying that little bit more.
You will note however,
despite all this advice, the Spanish will park wherever
their car happens to come to a halt, even on crossings,
pavements and roundabouts, but the new 2005 Laws now mean
that penalty points can be given to parking transgressors.
|
Fines
New fine rates have recently been published, and over set
limits in each location (autopista, town, etc.) you can be
arrested on the spot. You are not allowed to have a
radar speed detector in your vehicle, let alone use one.
Speed traps are becoming quite frequent but not as bad as in
the UK with cameras (yet; the salesmen are moving in). Fines
for other offences are calculated on the severity of the
offence and there is a table for the guidance of the police
and Courts. |
|
Speed limits
(general) |
| Autopistas/autovias. |
120kph |
| Dual
carriageways. |
100kph |
| Country roads. |
90kph |
| Urban roads. |
50kph |
| Residential
areas as signed or if no pavements. |
20kph |
|
| If you are a
tourist without assets in Spain, all fines are payable in
cash “on the spot”. The legal drink-drive limit is currently
0,5 grammes per litre of air using a breathalyzer. The very
high death rates in Spain (in the top 3 in the “old” EU)
means that if caught with excess alcohol or drugs in your
body, you can expect to lose your licence (in a special
Court, possibly that same day) or, if a resident, have to
attend a special school.
Seatbelts
It is compulsory for all in the car to wear seatbelts, both
front and rear where fitted. The driver is responsible for
any fines where passengers are not wearing an approved
belt. Children under 12 years of age are not allowed in the
front seats (unless they are over 150 cm or 4 ft. 9 ins,
then they can unofficially get away with it. It is
apparently to do with being secure in the safety belt).
Also, if seated in the back, the belt must fit correctly, or
a special “raising seat” must be fitted. Animals must be
restrained when in the passenger section and not allowed to
jump around.
Road tax and vehicle
inspections
If you are using your foreign registered car in Spain for a
few months (no more than six months in any calendar year is
allowed) then it must be legal as far as roadworthy,
insurance and road taxes are concerned. You cannot get your
car MOT-ed in Spain, or even in Gibraltar, and if the
certificate runs out, not only will you be illegal in
Europe, but also as soon as you arrive back in the UK.
Spanish vehicles have to conform to inspections also,
depending on the type and use of the vehicle.
Toll/Peaje roads
Spain has over 2,000 km of toll roads and more are planned.
They are of excellent standard and all have service stations
with cafes of an acceptable standard every 40km or so. The
tolls are expensive, especially in summer when the rates are
doubled and are usually calculated per km. Some toll roads,
for long distance travelling allow you to collect a ticket
at the start and then pay the total when you exit the road.
They do however mean that you can drive relaxed and safer
over long distances as the locals usually avoid them. |
| As you approach the
peaje (toll booth), you will be confronted with several
lanes. The telepago lane is for cars fitted with a
special chip on the windscreen. Automatico is for
paying by credit card or the exact change and the manual has
an attendant who collects your fee. All useable lanes will
have a green arrow, un-usable lanes display a red cross.
DRIVING REGULATIONS AND
LAWS |
|
Fuel - Gasolina
and Gasoleo
(Petrol and Diesel) |
| Normal,
unleaded |
95 octane |
| Super,
unleaded |
98 octane |
| Lead
replacement |
97 octane |
Diesel,
standard
and higher quality. |
|
|
Mobile
telephones
The use of a mobile telephone, other than a true hands-free,
whilst driving is now banned in Spain, even at the side of
the road. You have to pull off the road completely away from
any traffic. You may also not have any device in your ears
to listen to music or your mobile phone etc., only allowed
is something for enhancing your hearing, i.e. a deaf-aid.
Sadly, you still see erratic driving where a mobile is in
use, but penalty points can now be awarded.
Navigation aids and
DVD´s etc.
The driver must not use any screen based aid to navigation
(or entertainment) while on the road. You must pull
completely off away from traffic. (It makes sense really;
after all, you are not allowed to drive down the road with a
map on the steering wheel). DVD players and screen based
devices other than those directly needed to operate the car
must be positioned so the driver cannot see them.
Losing your licence
If you are stopped by the police or interviewed at the scene
of an accident and you are showing signs of being incapable
of driving the vehicle for any reason, the police are
empowered to immediately take away your driving licence and
you could lose it if found in breach of the Law. There are
laws affecting penalty points that are different (more
restrictive) for new drivers. The Spanish government is
determined to reduce the high accident rates on the roads.
Motor Cyclists.
Moto’s, as motorcycles are called in Spain, are subject to
the same Laws as other road users, including the reflective
jacket rule, which most sensible riders wear all the time
anyway. The headlight must be on dipped setting during the
day, and an approved crash helmet must be worn, properly
fitted and secured, at all times while riding. Penalty
points can be awarded for transgressors. Otherwise, the Laws
are similar to other EU countries.
Spanish plates
We get lots of E-mails from people wishing to put Spanish
number plates on to imported cars. The general advice is,
for right hand-drive cars, unless the car is a classic or
is special to you for sentimental reasons, DO NOT BOTHER.
It is better to sell it in the country of origin, or arrange
to swap it with someone returning there.
If it is a motor-home or a
medium to large right-hand drive commercial vehicle, you
will not be allowed to anyway for safety reasons.
If you are coming from a
right-hand drive EU country, then it is not so difficult,
but unless you speak Spanish, use the services of a gestor
or registered business advisor. It will save you a lot of
sweat and heart-ache.
The following applies for
new English speaking residents in Spain who wish to do
it. First of all, it must be done within 30 days of your
registering to stay here for more than 6 months (residencia)
or if you are working for a local company they will organise
this personal registration (residencia) for you).
- You will need a
certificate of permanent export from UK DVLA, or similar
elsewhere, which is free.
- An NIE number. This
registers you to stay for up to six months in Spain, but
the authorities may question why you are registering a
foreign vehicle if you are only staying for less than
six months. A residencia is up to five years at a time
and signifies that Spain is then your main place of
residence.
- A certificate Nota
de Empadronamiento from the town hall where you
live. This is free or costs a few cents.
- A Certificado
De Baja from the British Consulate. This cost is over
€100 Euros, and is not always asked for, but can save
the payment of Spanish import tax if dates correspond
with other paper work. If the vehicle is a moped or
scooter with an engine up to 49 cc, you do not need to
carry out this action as it is deemed to be personal
belongings and free of any import duties.
- Your Passport.
- If you have owned the
vehicle for less than six months, or did not register it
in your home country and pay all relevant taxes (in the
EU country of origin), a registration tax (impuesto
municipal sobre circulacion de vehiculos) of 12% is
payable on vehicles imported into Spain and is
calculated on the vehicle's current value which is based
on the price which would have been paid new in Spain.
- A Spanish ITV (MOT);
this is to ensure that the vehicle is technically OK.
Remember that the front head-lights must be changed
(“stick on papers” are not accepted) to dip right. Many
modern cars achieve this by turning the lamp/bulb in the
holder as designed by the manufacturer for this purpose.
There is a lot of running
around to do, and if you do not speak Spanish fluently, you
will need the help of a patient friend who does, or better
still, use a gestor.
The above, expanded and
much more, is contained in the book,
MOTORING IN SPAIN, by Brian J Deller. Written
in English and published in April 2004, the book has 144
pages with information for visitors as well as anyone who
lives in Spain. Included are the road signs in Spain (there
are about 4 times as many as the UK), and translations for
use at the road side or when visiting the garage, as well as
much general info to make your visit or new motoring life in
Spain safer and less stressful. It is supported by a web
site to update it. The book,
ISBN No. 84 607 9617 5 is available from most English
book shops in Spain on the Costas, or from major book shops
in the UK, including such as
Amazon.co.uk,and through
idealspain.com. It is priced at €14,95 or ₤9,95.
More details are at: -
www.spainvia.com/motoringinspain.htm |
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