Driving in Spain

Rules and recommendations for a safe drive

If you intend to do some driving in Spain you should know a little bit more about the requirements and Spanish driving laws. Until very recently, road accidents were the first non natural cause of death.

As a consequence, the government and the DGT (Direccion General de Trafico or Traffic General Direction) have severely increased driver's obligations and traffic fines.

In Spain, we drive on the right side of the road. This means that all traffic coming from the right has right of way (except when you are on a road that has right of way). I'm sure you already knew that, but just in case!

Here are a few traffic rules that you need to be aware of when driving in Spain:

• If you are a citizen of the European Union, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein you can drive in Spain using a valid driver's licence from your home country. If you are a citizen of another country, you will need an international drivers licence.
• You need to be at least 18 years old to drive in Spain and 21 to hire a car.
• Driver and passengers must wear seat belts at all times.
• Don't drive if your blood alcohol level is above 0.5 g/l in the bloodstream (0.25 mg/l in exhaled air). Please don't drink at all if you intend to drive.
• The speed limit on highways is 120 km/h (75 mph), 100 km/h (62 mph) on main roads or roads with 2 lanes (also called autovias, 90 km/h (56 mph) on all other roads and 50 km/h (31 mph) in urban areas (towns and villages).
• Talking on a mobile phone while driving is strictly prohibited, unless you use a hands-free system.
• Engines, lights, car radios and mobile phones must be switched off while re-fuelling. Authorities claim that mobile phone waves can cause an ignition (and an eventual explosion). This rule is relatively new and very controversial. However, people generally don't speak on the phone while re-fuelling but don't turn it off.
• If you wear glasses (not sunglasses!), you must have a spare pair with you in the car.
• A helmet is mandatory at all times when driving a motorbike and bicycle.
• It is mandatory to keep the following equipment in your vehicle. If it ever occurs that you need to stop on the side of the road or hard shoulder (due to an emergency, accident or breakdown) use them. [1] A set of bulbs and tools necessary to replace the bulbs. [2] A reflective vest (wear it if you need to get out of the car on the road or the hard shoulder). [3] Two warning triangles (place one in front of your vehicle and one behind it after stopping). [4] A spare tyre and tools necessary to replace it.

That should do it.

Driving in Spain is really cool but do it carefully. Happy travel!

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