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DRIVING IN SPAIN
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Please note that the following is taken from the Expats Forum at
http://www.thespainforum.com/ and
not the Spanish DGT,
although it does appear to reflect pretty accurately the
contents of the DGT site, www.dgt.es.
Given the frequency of changes to the relevant legislation
it should be taken as a guide rather than an authorative
document.
Rules
& Regulations :
-
You must be 18
or over to drive in Spain with a full valid UK/EU/Spanish license.
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All passengers
front & rear must wear seat belts.
-
If carrying a
Dog it has to be restrained/anchored at all times.
-
You must wear
sensible footwear, no flip flops!
-
Drivers must
use a hands free kit to use the telephone whilst driving.
-
Speed camera
detection devices are not permitted.
-
It is illegal
to undertake someone when the traffic is free flowing.
-
Children under
12 years old may not travel in the front seat, unless they are over 150cm
tall.
-
Children under
12 years old or are less than 150cm tall need an approved child seat for the
rear.
-
Motorcyclists
are not allowed to carry a passenger younger than 12 years old.
-
You must carry
at all times the vehicle registration, insurance document and MOT (if UK) or
ITV if Spanish registered. *
-
Residency
card/certificate or passport. *
-
Motorcyclists
must have headlight(s) on at all times
-
Always
indicate before changing lanes and turn headlights on in tunnels.
-
If the vehicle
is not yours always carry a letter of authorisation from the owner that
states you are able to drive it.
-
New penal code
effective 1st May 2008 provides for automatic (and immediate) loss of
licence and/or prison sentence for serious speeding offences.
-
Tourists are
subject to on the spot fines. Residents get the bill in the post with time
to pay.
Items
you must carry in your Vehicle at all times :
-
Vehicle
registration, insurance document and MOT (if UK) or ITV if Spanish
registered. *
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A spare light
bulb kit including tools that are needed to install the bulbs.
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Two warning
triangles.
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Reflective
vests for everyone in the vehicle and they must be accessible from within
the car, not the boot.
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If you wear
prescription glasses you have to carry a spare pair.
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Approved child
seats for children younger than 12 years old or shorter than 150cm tall.
-
If your
vehicle is UK plated, then it needs either a GB sticker or a GB EU logo
license plate on the rear.
-
Motorcyclists
do not need to carry a spare bulb kit or warning triangles
*
Documents can be copies if they are officially certified/stamped at your local
town hall, Failure to carry any of the correct documentation/equipment will
result in a fine.
Additional information :
-
Autopista
(Motorway) is defined by blue signs and also has a speed limit of 120 KPH.
-
Local roads
are defined by white signs and have a maximum speed limit of 50 KPH but can
be lower.
-
Dual
carriageway roads have a speed limit of 100 KPH.
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Reflective
vests need only been worn if you exit the vehicle on a dual carriageway or
motorway.
-
If you have a
valid UK disabled parking permit this is valid in Spain.
-
If driving as
a Spanish resident with a UK/EU license you must get it homologated with
Trafico by doing a routine medical which all Spanish license holders have to
do at renewal. Every 10 years until 45 years old, then every 5 years until
70 years old and then every 2 years thereafter.
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If you are
stopped by the Police on a motorway and asked to exit the vehicle make sure
you put on your reflective vest before exiting the vehicle.
