Whilst hiring a car is convenient, if you are going to be spending a considerable amount of time in Spain, it can start to become costly. With new car prices and fuel costs considerably lower in Spain than the UK many people opt instead to buy a car. Remember that second hand, or used cars, in Spain hold their value more than their UK counterparts, resulting in them costing somewhat more than you would expect to pay in the UK.
In order to purchase a car, new or second hand, you have to either own a property in Spain or have a rental contract for one year or more. You also need to be registered as an inhabitant of your municipality and be in possession of an
NIE number or certificate of residency.
Road tax in Spain is paid to the local authority between March and May of each year, and is known as ‘impuesto municipal sobre vehiculos de tracción mecánica.’ Rates are set by individual municipalities, and are based on a combination of the ‘fiscal horsepower’ of the vehicle and number of residents in the municipality; the larger the town, the higher the rate will be. As with all Spanish taxes, the onus is on you to ensure that it is paid. Should you try to sell a car that has not had its road tax paid; you will be in for a nasty shock as the accrued fines and interest for non payment are very steep. Similarly, if you buy a car without confirming that all taxes have been paid you may well discover that you are liable for a substantial amount.
All cars over 4 years old need to be checked regularly to confirm that they are roadworthy. This test is carried out at government run ITV centres, which can be found in larger towns and cities. Once a car has passed its ITV, it will be issued with a sticker stating when the next test is due. If you are caught without a current ITV sticker, you will be liable for a fine of between €90 and €300. Your license could also be confiscated for up to 3 months or until you produce proof of the vehicle passing the ITV.
How often should vehicles be tested?
Private Vehicles
Up to four years old - exempt
Four to ten years - every two years
Over ten years - every year
Caravans
Up to six years - exempt
Over six years - every two years
Motorcycles
Up to five years old - exempt
Over five years - every two years
If you are buying either a new or used car from a dealership, all the necessary transfer paperwork should be done for you, however if you are buying privately it is important to check the following:-
Does the car have a valid ITV certificate?
Has it been involved in a major accident?
Does the chassis number tally with the registration document?
Have you received the transfer of ownership document?
Has the road tax been paid?
Who is going to pay the transfer of ownership tax? This is frequently paid by the owner, who has already incorporated it into the asking price.
If you have confirmed that all is well you then have 30 days in which to register the car in your name. For
a comprehensive guide to the documentation required, along with the procedure
for transferring a car into your name follow this link.
Previously it was a requirement that anyone deemed as a resident, i.e. living in Spain for more than six months each year, had to apply for a Spanish driving license. This requirement no longer exists; providing you have a valid pink European driving license and you are over 18 years of age, you are able to drive in Spain. It should be pointed out however, that many insurance companies will only insure drivers over the age of 26, so do check the small print of your policy before allowing anyone under 26 to drive.
Driving licenses must be carried at all times and, in the car, you must have the following documents; the vehicle registration document and certificate of insurance; it is also advisable to have the stamped receipt from your bank confirming payment of road tax. Failure to produce these documents when requested by the traffic police could result in an on-the-spot fine.
If you wish to drive your own car to Spain then it’s no problem, however if you want to keep it in the country for more than six months it will need to be officially imported. This can be quite a complex and time consuming procedure involving changing to Spanish plates and paying a percentage tax on the car’s value. It is possible to do it yourself, but it may be worth hiring the services of a ‘gestor’ (paperwork administrator) to handle it for you. Unless your vehicle has particular sentimental value, or is a classic car, it might not be worth the cost to you.
Here are some useful points to know when driving in Spain:
Drivers who wear glasses must carry a spare pair in the vehicle.
The wearing of seatbelts, where fitted, is compulsory.
All vehicles must carry 2 warning triangles and at least 1 reflective yellow jacket. It is suggested that there are enough reflective jackets for all occupants, but this is not currently required by law.
A replacement bulb set is compulsory.
A first aid kit is advisable but not compulsory.
Children under 12 should not sit in the front seat unless they are taller than 150cm. In the rear of the car booster seats should be used to ensure that children under this height are seated at the correct level.
A yellow painted pavement curb denotes ‘No Parking’. Parking spaces marked in blue mean that it is necessary to purchase a ticket from a nearby machine. These spaces usually have a maximum time limit of 2 hours. In some areas, particularly smaller towns and villages, there is still free parking, but it is always wise to check before you leave your car.
If you park illegally, especially in a foreign car, you will almost certainly become a victim of the 'grua'. This is the local tow truck; the driver of which should leave a sticker on the curb from where your car was removed, providing the phone number and address of where your car has been taken. Getting your car back will be expensive and could prove stressful if you don’t speak Spanish.
Speed limits, unless otherwise signposted are:
In built-up areas (irrespective of road category) 50kph
Outside built-up areas on Second-category roads 90kph
Outside built-up areas on First-category roads 100kph
Motorways (Autopista/Autovia) 120kph
Spanish law dictates that you must indicate before overtaking on a motorway and again before pulling back to the nearside lane completing your manoeuvre. This law is quite stringently enforced and you risk being fined for failing to comply. Also, ensure that as you enter the motorway from a slip road you do not cross the solid white line; you must enter at the point the line is broken.
On the main carriageways in the majority of Spain, you are unable to turn left, without employing the use of a designated turning known as a ‘cambio de sentido’. This is a turning to the right which leads you round, ending up perpendicular to the main carriageway, where you wait to cross; these ‘cambios’ often have a set of traffic lights incorporated, thus ensuring the safety of drivers.
If you are fined for any infringement of the motoring laws ensure the officer collecting the fine issues you with a receipt.
As rules and regulations are constantly changing, for up to date information on all aspects of driving in Spain, please refer to the Ministerio del Interior - Dirección General de Tráfico website here
