Driving
in Spain
Drive
on the right!
Be
especially careful when setting off from service stations or restaurants
on the left side of the road. Take
care when overtaking - allow more space between you and the car in front
so you can see further down the road ahead.
Spain
has strict drink driving laws, only allowing 0.5 milligrams of alcohol
per millilitre of blood - stricter than the UK where the limit is 0.8. New
drivers are effectively forbidden to drink and drive, with a very low
0.1 mg/l limit.
Seat
belts front and rear are obligatory everywhere.
Speed
limits, shown below, are implemented rigorously. Radar traps are
frequent.
Remember
- Speeding and other traffic offences are subject to on-the-spot fines.
In
all countries a full UK driving licence is required. As in the UK, seat
belts should be worn front and rear. Below are motoring regulations
relating to Spain.
Beware
in Spain. The
law operating in Spain regarding the use of indicators on motorways is
being strictly enforced. You will risk being fined for not indicating
before overtaking and again before pulling back to the nearside lane
after overtaking. Also, ensure you do not cross the solid white line as
you enter the motorway from a slip road, but wait until the line is
broken.
|
Motorway
|
Open
Road
|
Town
|
Alcohol
mg/ml
|
|
120
km/h
|
90-100
km/h
|
50
km/h
|
0.5
|
Glasses
(Spectacles): wearers must carry a spare pair in the car at all times.
Headlamp
converters are compulsory.
Lights:
dipped headlights should be used in poor daytime visibility. Motorcycles
must use dipped headlights during the day at all times.
Minimum
age for driving, provided you hold a full UK license, is 18 for a car
and for a motorcycle over 75cc. If you've got an old-style all-green license
you might find the police will not understand them, so either
get them up-dated or take an International Driving Permit as well.
Motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear crash helmets.
Motor insurance: third-party insurance is compulsory. A green card is
not required but your insurer should be advised of your trip.
Replacement
bulb set is compulsory.
Seat
belts are compulsory for front and rear seat occupants, if fitted.
Visibility
Vests are now compulsory in Italy, Austria and Spain (and likely to
become compulsory throughout the EU) if you need to walk on a motorway.
In Spain we've been told you need a vest for every potential occupant of
the car, and that they must be carried inside the car, rather than in
the boot. Other sources have said you don't have to carry one, but if
you breakdown on the motorway you will be breaking the law if you walk
to an emergency phone without one. We're trying to clarify the position.
Warning
triangle is compulsory. One only is required for non Spanish registered
vehicles. Two required for Spanish vehicles, but to avoid difficulties
with the police we recommend two triangles should be carried.
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