Living in Spain 
Motoring Driving
Motoring Driving
Driving in Spain
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 vehicle registration document. Up until October 2008 it was obligatory to carry the car's certificate of insurance at all times, however, this requirement has since been abolished and the onus is on the Police or Guardia Civil to check that the vehicle has valid insurance by consulting the Insured Vehicle Computer Database (FIVA). Although not compulsory, it is also advisable to have the stamped receipt from your bank confirming payment of road tax. Failure to produce the vehicle registration document when requested by the traffic police could result in an on-the-spot fine. Not having valid insurance if stopped by the Guardia Civil will result in an automatic 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.
Priority Order for Traffic Signals.
On occasion traffic signals may be contradictory, for example if there is a diversion in place due to, say, roadworks or the local police or Guardia Civil are directing traffic. In these instances there is an order of priority that drivers must adhere to when following traffic signals in Spain. In order of priority they are as follows:
Signals & orders from the Police or Guardia Civil
Circumstantial signalling that alters the normal use of the road, i.e. traffic cones
Traffic Lights
Vertical traffic signs, e.g. Stop signs, Give way, No left turn etc
Horizontal signs, i.e. road markings painted on the carriageway such as solid white lines denoting the inability to cross
As an example, if you approach a Stop sign but an officer from the Guardia Civil directs you to continue forward, there is no requirement to stop, since his signalling overrides the vertical signage.
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.
Driving licenses must be carried at all times and, in the car, you must have the vehicle registration document. Up until October 2008 it was obligatory to carry the car's certificate of insurance at all times, however, this requirement has since been abolished and the onus is on the Police or Guardia Civil to check that the vehicle has valid insurance by consulting the Insured Vehicle Computer Database (FIVA). Although not compulsory, it is also advisable to have the stamped receipt from your bank confirming payment of road tax. Failure to produce the vehicle registration document when requested by the traffic police could result in an on-the-spot fine. Not having valid insurance if stopped by the Guardia Civil will result in an automatic 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.
Priority Order for Traffic Signals.
On occasion traffic signals may be contradictory, for example if there is a diversion in place due to, say, roadworks or the local police or Guardia Civil are directing traffic. In these instances there is an order of priority that drivers must adhere to when following traffic signals in Spain. In order of priority they are as follows:
Signals & orders from the Police or Guardia Civil
Circumstantial signalling that alters the normal use of the road, i.e. traffic cones
Traffic Lights
Vertical traffic signs, e.g. Stop signs, Give way, No left turn etc
Horizontal signs, i.e. road markings painted on the carriageway such as solid white lines denoting the inability to cross
As an example, if you approach a Stop sign but an officer from the Guardia Civil directs you to continue forward, there is no requirement to stop, since his signalling overrides the vertical signage.
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.
