Driving in Spain

Tips For Safe Driving: An English Car In Spain

Driving an English car in Spain can be a unique experience when you are used to driving in England. Of course, you primarily have to get used to driving on the wrong side of the road because they drive on the right rather than left hand side. However, when you do get your head around that fact, you have to contend with the driving laws, which are more different to British laws than you may think. Non-compliance can result in fines or even jail time so you should really do your research before you go!

There are many tips that can help you if you do plan on driving in Spain. A few of them are listed below for your convenience:

1. The speed limits are not illustrated in miles per hour. Instead, the signs that you see will be indicating the kilometres per hour. You will almost certainly be caught speeding if you take the motorway’s 120 speed sign to be miles rather than kilometres per hour! The speeds on the roads also vary greatly so you are best to make absolutely sure of the speed limit before you put your foot on the accelerator peddle! If you get caught, you will be expected to pay an on the spot fine. If you refuse, you will most definitely be sleeping behind bars for the night!

2. Spanish police can stop you without a reason for an on the spot breathalyser. Spain now has a system of “rapid justice courts” which means the police can apply traffic fines immediately, and these include losing your licence, and being detained in a police cell until the fine is paid.

3. Whilst putting the driver in jail is a little extreme it does happen, what has happened in reality is that the police can use the powers as a local fund raising activity and they are not above targeting foreign drivers. A very real danger is that it is illegal to enter a tunnel in Spain without full headlights; all tunnels should have a traffic sign to that effect at the entrance.

4. Spanish police often wait just outside of the tunnel to impose a fine and they do target foreign plated cars.Another point often missed by drivers in Spain it is illegal to use a mobile phone inside and outside of the car.

5. If you need to use a phone out of the car you must drive the car off the road away from traffic. Whilst you can use a mobile phone in a car, it is illegal to use earphones both for music and the phone, the only earpieces allowed legally are deaf aids.

6. Seatbelts are compulsory in Spain, whether you are sitting in the front or the back.

7. If you plan to take your car over to Spain with you then you must have a proof of your most recent MOT as well as insurance documentation just in case you get spot checked for any reason.

8. The first step to driving safely is making sure that your car is 100% safe and it is one thing that Spanish law enforcement is hot on, especially if your car displays foreign plates, which of course it will!Research all of the Spanish road signs that you are likely to encounter before you go. Many of them are similar to the ones displayed in the UK, but others are different.

9. The ironic thing is that few people can actually interpret road signs in this country and yet rely on them when travelling! Make sure that you know your stuff before you go.

10.The main roads around cities are of an extremely high quality, but the roads further away and in rural areas are often little more than dirt tracks. Always stick to the right side and always take it slowly. Speed is fine for the people that know the roads, but a good number of them are in a very poor state. Be careful of ruts and bumps and stay vigilant and you will be fine!

Below are the speed limits for  the roads In Spain

Autopista (motorway) prefix to road number A or E
These can be toll roads or peajes.  
Maximum speed 120 kph (73 mph).

Autovia
Dual carriageway, with or without a central reservation. 
Speed limits vary from 80 to 140 kph and they are marked on the stretch of the road on which you are travelling.  

Carretera Nacional prefix to road number, N or CN
Main roads.
Maximum speed  60- 100  kph. Often onlky the lower speed mark is indicated in danger areas.

Carretera Comarcal prefix C
Country roads.
80 - 100 kph

Carretera Local

Local highways.
In general  the speeds are not marked they do not exceed 100 kph, and areas with a problem are marked withy a lower speed restriction.

Vehicles with trailers or pulling a caravan cannot travel at the speed or single cab vehicles ask locally about the speed restrictions.

Driving an English car in Spain can be an eye-opener if you do not know your stuff. However, it can also be a very pleasurable experience. Driving in Spain may work out as the cheapest and the most convenient to get around so if you want to take your car with you, then do not think twice!