Driving In Spain...

Accident:
Please refer to Q17 in FAQ's for information on what to do.

Seating:
Seat belts MUST be worn at ALL times and children CANNOT travel in the front of the vehicle, unless in an EU approved baby seat or booster seat.

Speed Limits:
Motorway (Autopista) : A or E prefix to road No. - Maximum speed 120 kph
Dual-carriageway (Autovia) - Speed limits vary from 80 to 120 kph (speed signs)
National roads (Carretera Nacional) : N or CN - Speed limits vary from 60 to 100 kph
Major local roads (Carretera Comarcal) : C - Speed limits vary from 80 to 100 kph
Highways (Carretera Local) - Speed limits are signed : varies according to area
Town / City roads (Carretera Cuidad) - Speed limited to 50 kph

Speed limits are rigorously enforced. Whilst many parts of Spain do not have speed cameras, there are frequent road checks by the Guardia Civil & on-the-spot fines are imposed; a minimum fine is about €90

Compulsory Items To Carry In The Vehicles:
if stopped you will asked to show:
a) DOCUMENTATION: (i) vehicle registration document (V5); (ii) certificate of insurance & proof it has been paid (eg: receipt / bank statement). if it is a hire car then these will be in the vehicle glove box. If a hire car, you will also have to show: (iii) a copy of the Rental Agreement. In addition, all drivers will also have to show their driving licence and passport (or Spanish residencia card)
It is a serious offence if any documentation is out of date so, DO NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AFTER THE RETURN DATE AND TIME AS ON THE RENTAL CONTRACT
b) BULBS... replacement set of light bulbs for the vehicle (as supplied)
c) VISIBILITY VEST... if you breakdown and walk or stand on the highway you MUST wear a luminous / fluorescent jacket (as supplied)
d) WARNING TRIANGLES... (as supplied) in the event of a breakdown one must be placed to the front & another to the rear of the vehicle at a reasonable warning distance

Drink Driving:
the best advice is DO NOT DO IT... The legal limit is 0.25 mg per litre blood (0.4 in UK) and Spain treats drink driving very seriously, especially if accident related. Penalties range from a heavy on the spot fine, possible on the spot withdrawal of your licence (applies also to UK usage) and, not uncommon, imprisonment... especially if you cannot pay the fine or if anyone is injured as a result, (Spanish jails are uncomfortable & do not have satellite TV)

Traffic Lights:
Amber flashing lights means proceed with caution ; it does not mean you automatically have right of way. Traditional traffic lights operate as in the UK (green for 'go')

Pedestrian Crossing:
• If a crossing has a solid white line in front of it you MUST stop if a pedestrian is on the crossing
• The law relating to 'normal' crossings is changing in that failing to stop / give way to pedestrians will also be an offence... BUT BEWARE! Spanish drivers do not always stop even if you are part way across the road

Parking:
• The Spanish are notorious for parking just about anywhere, even on pedestrian crossings
• If the curb stone is painted YELLOW this denotes a NO PARKING area; also, look for 'no parking' signs
• A blue sign (with a 'P' ) or blue road markings means this is a 'pay-and-display' area, and you must purchase & display a ticket
• If there is a SOLID WHITE LINE down the middle of the road you MUST park in the direction of the traffic flow
In the UK, parking infringements usually results in the vehicle being clamped. In Spain it will be towed away (grua truck). If this happens you will find a sticker on the curb where the vehicle was parked giving you the address & telephone No. of where it has been taken to. Apart from the problem of trying to find the place you will be liable for the parking fine plus the cost of the grua, & possibly for a translator if you cannot speak Spanish. ANY SUCH COSTS ARE NOT COVERED BY YOUR RENTAL AGREEMENT INSURANCE !!