Driving in Spain is a great way to explore its diverse landscapes, from beautiful coastal roads to bustling cities rich in history. Whether you are headed to sunny Costa del Sol or the vibrant streets of Barcelona, understanding Spain’s driving laws and requirements is essential for a safe and enjoyable trip. This guide will help prepare you for your Spanish road adventure with key information and tips to make your journey smooth and stress-free.

Emergency Services Telephone Number in Spain

Emergency telephones are linked to an SOS telephone network and are installed at 2km intervals along motorways.

112 – You can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you’re visiting.

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.

Spanish Driving Licence Laws

Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in Spain.

To rent a car in Spain you must be at least 21 years old, but some companies may require you to be 23 or older. If you are under 25, you may have to pay an additional young driver surcharge.

To rent a car you will need a full, valid UK driving licence and a second proof of ID such as a passport. Car rental companies will often ask that you have held your licence for a minimum term of one year.

What You Cannot Bring Into Spain

When travelling to Spain, the following items are prohibited:

• Meat products 
• Dairy 
• Fruit 
• Vegetables 

Some exceptions apply, but you must contact the embassy before you depart for Spain. 

Documents You Need to Drive in Spain

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into Spain for up to six months in any period of 12 months. To be safe, always carry:

• Full, valid UK driving licence 
• Proof of ID (passport) 
• Motor insurance certificate 
• V5 registration 

Since the 2^nd August 2021, drivers no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to Spain.

Car hire companies will provide additional documents specific to your car – keep these handy during your travels.

Compulsory Equipment for Driving in Spain

Spanish law requires you to have the following items in your vehicle:

• Reflective jackets: Not compulsory however you could be fined for walking on the road or hard shoulder without wearing one 
• Warning triangle: For vehicles with four wheels or more (Residents must carry 2) 
• Headlamp beam deflectors: To prevent glare from oncoming traffic you will either need deflector stickers or will need to adjust the beam manually, it will depend on your car 

Recommended, non-obligatory extras include: a first aid kit, replacement bulb, torch, phone charger, spare tyre, jump leads, snacks and water.

Spanish Rules of the Road

Seat Belt Law in Spain

Whether you are sitting in the front or rear of the car, all passengers are required to wear a seat belt at all times.

Failing to wear your seatbelt or failing to make sure your children are wearing theirs could result in a €200 fine.

What side of the road do they drive on in Spain?

The Spanish drive on the right-hand side of the road. If this is new to you it might be best to practice on quieter roads.

How to overtake in Spain

In Spain, motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left.

Vehicles over 10 meters in length or weighing more than 3.5 tonnes must maintain a minimum distance of 50 meters from the vehicle ahead.

Exceptions to this rule include built-up areas where overtaking is prohibited, roads with multiple lanes in the same direction, or situations with heavy traffic that make overtaking impractical.

Who has priority in Spain?

In general, drivers approaching an intersection must yield to all vehicles from the right.

At roundabouts, vehicles already circulating within the roundabout have priority over those entering.

Drivers on secondary roads must yield to traffic from both directions when merging onto a main road.

Additionally, emergency vehicles and rail vehicles always have priority over other road users.

Using your horn in Spain

Unnecessarily sounding your horn is forbidden.

Sounding your horn in urban areas is not allowed at any time except for in an emergency. If you need to give a warning, flash your lights instead.

Traffic Lights

The international three-colour traffic light system is used in Spain.

Green, amber and red arrows are used at some intersections.

What are the speed limits in Spain?

Spain uses the metric system for all road signs, meaning speed limits and other Spanish road signs including distance are indicated using kilometres and metres.

Residential Areas	20km/h
Built-up Areas	50km/h
Outside Built-up Areas	90km/h – 100km/h (according to local signs)
Motorways	120 km/h

Certain vehicle classes, such as mopeds, motorhomes, and those towing trailers, are subject to special speed restrictions, so it’s important to verify the limits before you travel.

Outside built-up areas, you may exceed the speed limit by up to 20km/h when overtaking a slower vehicle, except on motorways and dual carriageways.

Additionally, vehicles unable to maintain a minimum speed of 60km/h are prohibited from using motorways and dual carriageways.

Spanish Speeding Fines

Speeding fines in Spain range from €100 to €500, depending on the offender’s speed and the type of road.

Drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by 60km/h or more may face a licence suspension of up to four years.

Are speed camera detectors allowed in Spain?

In Spain, using a GPS navigation system that indicates the locations of fixed speed cameras is permitted. However, it is illegal to carry or use radar jammer devices whilst driving.

Travelling with Children in Spain

Drivers are responsible for ensuring that all passengers under 18 are wearing a seat belt and are appropriately restrained.

Child Car Seat Rules in Spain

Children under the age of 12 and shorter than 135 cm must use a child restraint system appropriate for their size and weight when travelling in the front seat of a car. Children taller than 135 cm may use an adult seat belt.

In the rear seat, children shorter than 135 cm must also be secured in a child restraint system suited to their size and weight.

In vehicles with more than nine seats, all passengers over three, except those shorter than 135 cm, are required to wear seat belts if available.

European regulations categorise child restraints into five groups based on the child’s weight:

Weight	Seat Rule
Group 0: <10 kg	Rear-facing child seat placed either at front passenger seat (airbag switched off) or back seat. Babies can also travel in a carry cot on the rear seat only.
Group 0+: <13 kg	They are slighter bigger versions of those in Group 0. They must be installed under the same conditions as those in group 0.
Group 1: 9-18kg	Child seat with a 5-point harness or a protection tray.
Group 2: 15-25kg	Booster seat or cushion with an adult seat belt.
Group 3: 22-36kg	Booster seat or cushion with an adult seat belt.

Taxis are exempt but in other vehicles, a fine will be levied if the child is not properly restrained.

Headphones and Mobile Phones

Penalties and Fines

On-the-spot fines

Police in Spain can issue fines on the spot, with a 50% reduction available if the fine is paid within 20 days. You have 15 days to contest a fine if you wish to challenge it.

Visiting drivers are required to pay fines immediately unless they can provide the name of a person or corporation in Spain willing to guarantee the payment. If neither condition is met, the vehicle may be confiscated until the fine is settled. Visitors can later contest the fine through the legal system.

Minimum and Maximum Fines in Spain

Fines in Spain range from €100 for minor speeding violations to as much as €6,000 for using a radar jammer.

Certain motoring offences are classified as criminal acts, which may result in significantly higher fines, vehicle confiscation, and even imprisonment.

Vehicle Confiscation

A vehicle can be confiscated in Spain for the following reasons:

• Mechanical defects 
• Excess noise or pollution 
• Lack of insurance 
• The driver refuses to pay a fine 
• The driver is under the influence of alcohol 

Parking in Spain

Much like it is across the continent, there are some different parking rules and regulations in Spain.

Parking Regulations

Parking is not allowed within five meters of a bend or intersection. Vehicles parked overnight on poorly lit streets must have their sidelights turned on.

Parking is generally required on the right-hand side of the road, except on one-way streets where parking may be permitted on both sides.

Coloured lines are used to indicate different parking restrictions. Here’s a quick overview:

• Yellow lines: Reserved for disabled parking only. A permit is required. 
• White lines: Free parking without restrictions. 
• Blue lines: Paid parking. Payment must be made at the meter. 
• Green lines: Reserved for residents with a valid permit. 

Paid Parking

Road signs indicate areas with restricted parking, requiring payment at parking meters or automated machines that issue tickets specifying the paid parking duration. In Madrid, the regulated parking zone known as the “SER” is marked by blue or green lines. In these zones, visitors are limited to parking for 1 or 2 hours, with payment options available through ticket machines or mobile apps. In some larger towns and cities, parking fees can also be paid using a credit card at the machine.

Enforcement of Parking Regulations

Illegally parked vehicles may be towed away. If your car is taken away, you will need to go to the nearest police station and, to get it back, you must pay the fine for the parking offence plus towing costs.

Wheel clamps are used in some towns when an illegally parked vehicle is not causing an obstruction.

Disabled Parking Access

Foreign disabled permits are recognized in Spain and must be displayed inside the vehicle’s windscreen. These permits allow vehicles to park without time restrictions in zones designated for loading and unloading, as well as within pedestrian areas with a time limit. Additionally, they permit parking in certain locations where it is typically prohibited by signs, provided prior permission is granted by a traffic warden.

Toll Roads in Spain

Spain, like many other central European countries, has motorways that require toll payments. These can be made using cash or a credit card.

Additionally, most motorways are equipped with an electronic payment system called Telepeaje or Via T, which enables drivers to pass through toll booths without stopping.

Alcohol Limits

Legal Limit

The general limit for drivers of private vehicles is 0.05%.

For professional drivers (driving a bus, coach, HGV or public service vehicle), and newly qualified drivers (less than two years’ experience), the limit is 0.03%.

Random Breath Test

If you are suspected of being under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or who has committed a traffic offence, must undergo a breath test for alcohol or a saliva test for drugs. All road users must undergo a breath test following a traffic accident.

If you refuse the test, your vehicle may be immobilised by the police and your driving licence may be suspended for one to four years.

Fuel

Various types of clean fuels are available in Spain, including LPG, which is sold under the brand name ‘Autogas’.

In some larger towns, automatic petrol pumps are also available for self-service refuelling.

Hiring a Car in Spain

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in Spain. However, it’s still worth reviewing to make sure you are as prepared as possible. For drivers of rented vehicles, here at the most important things to know:

• Minimum Age: You must be at least 21 years old to hire a car. Age requirements may vary depending on the type of vehicle. 
• Driving Licence: A full, valid UK driving licence is required, along with a second form of ID, such as a passport. 
• Licence Duration: Most rental companies require you to have held your licence for at least 1 year. 
• Deposit Requirements: A credit card may be needed to cover the deposit. 
• Travel Restrictions: Planning to drive outside of Spain? Confirm with your rental company beforehand, as this may not always be allowed. 
• Excess Insurance: Protect yourself from unexpected costs with our excess insurance policies for rental cars. It is more affordable to arrange this in advance with a third-party insurer like Cover4Rentals, rather than directly with the rental company. 

By staying informed and prepared, you’ll enjoy a smoother car rental experience in Spain which will allow you to focus on the journey and make the most of your trip.

To ensure peace of mind, consider purchasing hire excess insurance. If you accidentally damage your rental car, you’ll simply pay the hire company the excess and then claim it back through us. It’s straightforward and hassle free.

Planning ahead by familiarising yourself with Spain’s driving rules and making sure you have the right insurance coverage will let you focus on what truly matters – creating unforgettable memories!