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The information given below is a very quick guide. If you want to find out more about driving in Spain, I do recommend Motoring In Spain by Brian J Deller. Anyone over the age of 26 can drive your car providing you have the legal driving licence, which is the picture card driving licience (E U Licence), although there is at the time of writing still confusion on this, depending on where you live. Many Brits still drive with their paper licence which is illegal. To be on the safe side, it is best to take guidance on the following, some of which are Spanish Law
- Valid Insurance
- All vehicle docments relating to the car.
- Incase of breakdown, you need to have two EU appoved red wanring triangles, this is law
- Reflective jackets one for each passenger this is also law. This jackets must at all times be kept in your vehicle.
- A spare set of bulbs/lamps and do make sure you have the correct tools if you need to change them
- A spare pair of glasses
- If you have an N.I.E. it is advisable to carry it.
- If a car is fitted with seat belts, all passengers must wear them, this is mandatory and if this law is not adhered to, the drive will be fined!
If you are a non EU resident, you will have to carry a international driving licence, you obtain this licence from your country.Driving in Spain is not different from the UK except as well know you drive on the right and it is easy to forget from time to time when you are just starting to drive in Spain. Roads in Spain
- Autopista (motorway) - A or E - prefix to road number: these can be toll roads (peajes). Maximum speed 120 kph (73 mph).
- Autovia - dual carriageway, not necessarily with a central reservation. Speed limits vary from 80 to 140 kph.
- Carretera Nacional - N or CN - prefix to road number, main roads. 100 to 60 kph.
- Carretera Comarcal - C - prefix, country roads. 100 to 80 kph.
- Carretera Local - highway. Speeds are as signed, but usually not more than 100kph
Road Tax Road tax in Spain is paid to the local government this will be shown on a suma bill you can pay this at your bank or via direct debit. The fee is related to the individual vehicle and the area. Like the uk Spain has an annual inspection on vehicles, ITV up to 4 years no test, 4 to 10 years every two years, after ten years, ITV every year.All vehicles are required to undertake an annual inspection ( called an ITV), to check the condition of the vehicle. Major towns and cities have several ITV stations to which you can take your car.
Insurance As with most other European countries third party insurance is mandatory. If you provide proof of at least 5 years no claims from your previous insurer you can reduce your insurance premiums.
Speed Limits Autopistas/autovias 120kph Dual carriageways 100kph Country roads 90kph Urban roads 50kph Residential areas 20kph
Parking No parking in spaces painted yellow or (obviously) in areas with "No Parking" signs. Parking spaces with meters are marked in blue where a ticket can be purchased from an attendant or machine.The machine may be halfway down the block; don´t assume that because there is no meter near the car that parking is free. These spaces are usually for two hours maximum. Fines vary between areas. Fines Fines for speeding are paid on the spot and are calculated at 1,000 pts per kilometre over the limit. The legal drink-drive limit is 50mg per millilitre with breath test a frequent occurance. Fines for this are very high
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