Tips While Driving in Spain
Prequisites
- Valid passport
- An EU driving licence or International Driving Licence
- Insurance certificate
- Vehicle registration documents
- Agreement from hire company if a rental vehicle
- 2 x red warning triangles (front / rear)
- Spare set of headlamp bulbs with tools to change
- Spare set of spectacles if used for driving
- Reflective jacket for use outside vehicle
- Headlamp converters (e.g. if British car)
- EU number plate showing country code or sticker
- First aid kit advised to be carried at all times
- Snow chains advised to be carried in Pyrynees
Some Essentials
Drive on the right hand side of the road.
Give way to traffic on the left particularly roundabouts.
Don't park anywhere where pavement painted yellow or where blue lines indicate resident parking area.
Avoid drinking and driving as limits are strict (0.5 mg/ml)
Types of Roads
Autopista (road prefix = AP) is a motorway which are often have tolls and services. The toll roads are usually much quieter than non-toll roads although get busier in the summer time.
Autovia (road prefix = A) is a dual carriageway.
Single carriage way are commonplace around towns and in the countyside single track roads within passing places are common and not all are well surfaced.
Speed Limits
The speed limit on motorways is 74mph/120kph
The speed limit on dual carriageways is 65mph/100kph
The speed limit on single carriageways but out of town is 59mph/90kph
The typical speed limit within built-up areas is 30mph/50kph but it is always safer to keep a close eye out for signs.
The typical speed limit within residential areas 12mph/19kph but it is always safer to keep a close eye out for signs.
Note that there are automatic speed cameras in operation in Spain that record your number plate and speed.
Types of Fuel
Benzin or gasolina sin plomo is unleaded petrol.
Gas oil or gasoleo A is diesel.
LPG licuados del petroleo is liquid petroleum gas.
Not all fuel stations accept credit cards so keep enough cash with you just in case.
Mobile phones, Sat-Nav, Other Accessories
Use of mobile phones is banned unless using a hands-free kit. To use without hands-free you must pull off the road into an area well clear of any traffic.
Use of Sat-Nav is only allowed if providing verbal instructions to the driver.
DVD players and the like must be positioned out of view of the driver.
European Road Signs
European road signs for the most part adhere to the Vienna Convention, a set of agreements to unify road signs across countries within the EU as well as others like Russia and some Middle Eastern countries. Britain also adheres to these road signs although there are a few notable differences.
Download PDF of European road signs (1.69Mb)
Emergency Telephone Numbers
The emergency services telephone numbers are:-
Police - 112, Fire - 112, Ambulance - 112
Obviously keep your breakdown cover telephone number handy at all times - if possible program into your phone ready.
Some Useful Phrases
Peligro means Danger
Obras means Road Works
Direccion Unica means One Way
Cuidado means (Drive with) Care
Ceda el Paso means Give Way
Aparcamiento means Parking
Todas Direcciones means All directions