Driving in Spain

The minimum age for driving in Spain is eighteen, and your UK insurance will give automatic third party cover. However, be aware that Spanish law requires all car occupants to wear a seat belt - also that no child under twelve years old is allowed to travel in the front of a vehicle unless it is in a specially adapted rear-facing seat for infants.

Fuel

Leaded petrol is usually sold as super/super 97, and unleaded as sin plomo 98  or Eurosuper 95. Diesel is known as gasoleo. It pays to remember that few rural garages are open 24 hours, also that they are liable to be closed for up to two hours at lunchtime, and all day on Sunday. Sometimes you can drive for many miles in rural Spain without seeing a garage, so don’t let your tank get low.

Speed Limits

Radar speed traps are very common, and fines (which must be paid on the spot in cash) can be heavy. If oncoming vehicles flash their headlights at you it often means that there is a speed trap ahead. However, flashing headlights can also mean the driver is warning you that it is his right of way, the complete opposite of its accepted meaning in the UK. Speed limits* in Spain are:

Motorways and other roads

In recent years there has been a huge road-building programme in Spain, and their motorways (autopistas) are now amongst the best in Europe. However, most are toll roads (autopistas de peajes), and the charge for using them (payable by cash or credit card) is far from cheap. This has two very obvious knock-on effects. The motorways themselves are never particularly crowded - also the non-toll roads leading to the same destination are almost invariably busy. The choice is simple. If you are intent on covering large distances as quickly as possible, using the motorway network is probably the only realistic answer. On the other hand, if you are not in a hurry, want to save money, and fancy seeing something of Spain along the way, you’ll be better off using the dual-carriageway roads (autovias) that are prefixed with an E.

All ‘E’ roads are toll free. They also have the same maximum speed limit as the motorways, although getting even remotely close to this limit may be far from easy at times. One useful feature to look out for on dual carriageways if you happen to miss your turn off is the sign ‘cambio de sentido’, which means that just ahead is the opportunity to reverse your direction via an under or over-pass.

Road Signs

The quality of signposting in Spain varies considerably. In general, all main roads are well served, but venture off these and the standard can dip alarmingly. Carrying a large-scale map is strongly advised whatever your route, but if you are planning to stray off the major highways it is absolutely essential. The Michelin Motoring Atlas of Spain is highly recommended for both route planning, and locating your holiday accommodation.

Finally, one thing to remember when joining motorways or dual carriageways: Spanish drivers generally do not move over or slow down to help merging traffic. You may well have to come to a full stop at the end of the entry slip road until the road is clear.

For motoring abroad, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website is a useful source of additional information http://www.fco.gov.uk