When driving in Spain, you should be aware of two sorts of law enforcement authorities that operate on the roadways.
The local police (Policia Local) are in charge of preserving order on a local level within and around each town or city’s municipal boundaries. In addition to other municipal responsibilities, this unit is responsible for petty crime and general low-level law enforcement.
The more serious and well-prepared Civil Guard (Guardia Civil) patrol units will be the main police force you will encounter on open roads and highways. Their cars are typically white with green bonnets that display their official coat of arms.
To carry out their tasks to the fullest, they use well-equipped cars, strong bikes, 4 x 4s, helicopters, and high-powered speed boats.
Petrol Fuel
There are also a number of smaller independent gas stations, so it’s worth looking around because the price per litre might vary a lot.
Most petrol stations are open all night in crowded regions, but will have minimal people on duty outside of usual hours, and you will be forced to pay for the fuel before filling up the car for security reasons.
In Spain, a variety of fuels are available, with diesel and unleaded being the most popular.
The most often used unleaded gasoline is 95 Octane Gasolina (Sin Plomo), which is dispensed from the green pumps, as is the superior form, generally 98 Octane Gasolina (Sin Plomo). The 97 Octane Gasolina diesel fuel (Gasoleo) from the black pumps features a lead replacement chemical for older automobiles. Diesel (Gasoleo “A”) is a lower-quality diesel available for owners of older engines; it is not recommended for use in current diesel vehicles.
Charger stations are becoming increasingly common, albeit they are not always easily available. In Spain, there are now roughly 6.000 chargers, which is significantly less than in most EU nations. Fortunately, services like Electromaps, which has an easy-to-use interface, can help you find your nearest auto charger.
Many automobiles have been reported stolen from forecourts when the driver has left it unattended for a few minutes to pay their bill at the cashier’s desk. It is recommended that you lock your doors when leaving the vehicle to fill up the tank and when going to pay for the gasoline.
General Rules For Driving in Spain
When driving in European Union countries, EEC Country labels indicating where the vehicle was registered are no longer required.
When visibility is low during the day, dipped headlights should be employed. During the day, motorcycles must always use dipped headlights.
The legal driving age is 18 years old. Drivers with a full UK driving license are permitted to operate class B vehicles, which include automobiles, motorcycles up to 75cc, and light trucks and vans weighing up to 3500 kg. If you want to ride a motorcycle with a displacement of more than 75cc, you must pass a test either in Spain or overseas.
Motor insurance: The car must be covered for at least third-party liability; all other types of insurance, including as fire, theft, fully comprehensive, extended roadside assistance, and so on, are freely accessible in Spain. Within the EEC, having a green card is no longer required.
Chains made of snow If you are planning a trip up into one of the Spanish mountain resorts during the winter season, snow chains are strongly advised; if you do not have them, the police may refuse to allow you to continue your journey if the conditions are too dangerous.
Speed Limits and Road Types
In Spain, as in other EEC nations, speed restrictions vary depending on the type of road and the area you’re traveling in.
Carretera Locale or Via Urbana Driving in urban areas, such as towns, villages, and cities. The standard speed restrictions in this area are 30 km/h, while some parts may be 50 km/h depending on the terrain; keep an eye out for the clearly written signs.
The maximum speed on an autopista (highway) is 120 km/h (73 mph), which also applies to toll highways ( Peajes ).
Autovias are two-lane highways with or without a center reservation.
The speed restrictions range from 80 to 110 kilometers per hour, and the speed limits are prominently marked on these routes in each case.
Children and Passenger Safety
All children must be carried in such a way that they have the best chance of surviving in the event of an accident or a forced stop. All passengers in cars with up to nine seats must use an approved seat belt, or in the case of children, a specifically designed child seat.
Babies under the age of nine months and weighing less than ten kilograms should be transported in a carrycot, which must be placed across the back seat and secured with the car’s safety belts or other certified safety attachments. Children weighing 10 to 13 kg and up to 2 years old should be buckled into a child’s car seat in the back seat of the vehicle, facing backwards.
A child’s seat facing forwards or backwards can be used from 9kg to 18kg or from 9 months to 3 years old, but it must be at the back of the car. A seat elevator can be used to hoist a child weighing 15 to 25 kg or up to 6 years old and allow them to ride more comfortably. A combination of a seat elevator and the car’s seat belts is allowed for children weighing 22 to 36 kilograms or 6 to 12 years old. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to ride in the front seat.
Parking( Estacionamiento/Aparcamiento )
Most typical Spanish communities were never intended to handle the high and sometimes disproportionate amount of traffic that exists on Spain’s roadways today, as anybody who has visited and driven in Spain knows.
It will never be easy in some circumstances, but there are a few things to look out for.
If you’re going to a small village where dead-end streets or very narrow streets are typical, it’s best to park on the outside and stroll towards the center.
In one-way streets, parking should be in the same direction as the traffic flow or on the right-hand side of two-way streets whenever practicable.
Parking is permitted on one side of the street for the first half of the month (blue and red parking restriction signs marked 1-15) and on the other side for the second half of the month in select places (blue and red parking restriction signs marked 1-15). (signs are marked 16-31 ).
Always strive to park in a neat and orderly manner; leaving two wheels on the kerb disturbs pedestrians, irritates locals, and may result in your vehicle being hauled away.
Residents’ parking spaces are designated with black bands on street lighting poles or telephone poles all around Spain. Residents can park here by acquiring a parking card from the local town hall (proof of residency is required) and displaying it on their vehicle’s windscreen.
Some cities have zones where parking is restricted during working hours (horas laborables), and you must obtain a permit for the duration of your stay.
Most Spanish towns and cities now have blue zones (zonas azules), which are identified by blue street markers. To park in these areas, you must purchase a ticket from one of the blue ticket machines positioned throughout the blue zone region.
Monday through Friday, from 9 or 9.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and approximately 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturdays from 9.30 a.m. to 2 p.m., parking is normally required. On Sundays and holidays, parking is free.
Depending on the locality, parking rates range from 70 cents to 1 Euro per hour. In most cases, you can park for 30 minutes to a maximum of two hours.
Once you’ve purchased the ticket, make sure it’s properly placed behind your windscreen, where the parking attendant can readily see it.
If you go over your time limit and discover a parking ticket in the form of a little envelope on your windscreen, you may usually cancel it right away by paying a nominal penalty of 3 Euros. This is accomplished by purchasing a new ticket for 3 Euros from the machine, placing the new ticket in the little envelope provided with the parking fine, and posting it in a designated slot at the bottom of the ticket machine or delivering it to the parking attendant. You must complete this within a certain amount of time, usually 24 hours, or face a fine of up to 40 Euros or more.
Cities and towns are building more parking lots, primarily in the form of underground or multi-story parking garages, however the number of available spaces is still insufficient.
A FREE (libre) sign at the entry shows that there are spaces available in a multi-story or underground car park (aparcamiento subterrneo), whereas COMPLETO implies that it is full.
Hiring a Car Hire in Spain
To rent a car in Spain, you’ll need a valid European Union driver’s license. Rental businesses will also impose age restrictions on those who want to rent automobiles from them, usually ranging from 21 to 70 years old. It’s best to check the rental company’s policy before renting a car.
Whether you rent a car online or through a local supplier, the following rules and checks should be completed BEFORE driving in Spain.
Make sure the amount of the automobile rental includes the insurance you’ll be paying for. i.e. full coverage with or without excess, or a waiver that waives any general excess payments if you are at fault in an accident.
Full roadside assistance should be standard, and most insurers in Spain now provide coverage in English; make sure you have an EEC-compliant traffic accident form in English.
Is Your Vehicle Insured In Spain?
It is strongly recommended that you examine the level of insurance coverage you have for your vehicle and its passengers when driving in Spain before embarking on your travel.
Make sure you know how much coverage you have for third-party liability, fire, theft, and fully comprehensive coverage. Is it also completely covered for driving within the EU for the duration of your visit?
Roadside Breakdown Assistance
It is recommended that UK registered vehicles insured through UK based roadside assistance firms contact them before driving within the EU. Most UK insurance companies will cap the amount of time you are insured in Spain for any given trip, usually about 90 days.
It’s also a good idea to double-check the scope of coverage, such as whether it would cover the expense of repatriating a damaged vehicle as well as you and your family.
If you have UK-based coverage, make sure you have the most up-to-date contact numbers and emails on hand in case you want immediate support.
Driving In Spain After Brexit
If the EU and the UK do not reach an agreement, you may be obliged to carry an old-style IDP (International Driving Permit). For more information on the different types of permits and how to apply for them, visit the RAC website.
In Spain, what is Super or Super 97 gas?
Spain’s freeway network is separated into autopistas and autovas. The former is usually a toll road, while the latter is not. Both have at least two different carriageways, each with two lanes.
As you approach the town, many towns have sensors that detect your speed. When a motorist exceeds the speed limit, a traffic light on the outskirts of town turns red automatically. Before entering the town, you must come to a complete stop. “No Entry” is shown by two red lights.
You must use the horn to express your desire to pass another vehicle in daylight and outside of a built-up area.
Remember to use your directional lights at night to indicate that you are about to turn. Passing another vehicle in an area where passengers are being accepted or released is prohibited.
Meter parking places are identified by a blue sign, and tickets can be purchased from an attendant or a machine. If there is no meter near the car, don’t assume that parking is free because the machine is halfway down the block. These areas are normally only available for two hours at most. The amount of fines varies by region, although they can be large.
Speeding tickets are paid on the spot. The vehicle will be confiscated and the driver will be imprisoned until the fine is paid or guaranteed.
The legal limit for drink-driving is 015mg per millilitre, and breath tests are common. The penalties for this are extremely severe.
Fuel prices are regulated by the government. Credit cards are accepted at some gas stations. Regular leaded gasoline has an octane value of 92, while super has a rating of 97. Gasolina sin plomo refers to unleaded gasoline. The octane rating of unleaded super fuel is 95. Diesel is sometimes known as gas-oil.
Speed limits are expressed in kilometers per hour (KPH) and are subject to change, so be sure to check road signs.
Throughout Spain, there are numerous toll roads. If you are traveling long distances on Spanish toll roads, you may want to consider getting a Solred Card to save money.
Non-residents can drive in Spain for a maximum of 6 months per calendar year with an International Driving Licence or a foreign driving license.
Residents of Europe can drive on their current European Union (EU) license until it expires. When it expires, you will need to apply for a Spanish driver’s license. After one year, non-EU residents must obtain a Spanish driver’s license.
If your driver’s license does not have a photograph, make sure you have your passport on hand to authenticate it. Carry a letter from the registered owner granting you permission to drive if the vehicle is not registered in your name.
In Spain, road tax is paid to the municipal government. The charge is determined on the type of vehicle and the location. Every vehicle must get an annual examination (known as an ITV) to ensure that it is in good working order. You can take your car to various ITV stations in major towns and cities.
You can lower your insurance prices if you produce documentation of no claims for at least five years from your former insurer.
You must have two warning triangles, new bulbs, a visibility vest, an international driving license, vehicle registration, and a proof of motor insurance with you when driving in Spain.
Children over the age of 12 are permitted to ride in the front seat. Children under the age of 12 are not permitted to travel in the front seat unless they are restrained properly. Passengers under the height of 135cm must utilize specially designed safety measures and restraints in the back.
Both at night and during the day, motorcycle riders must use headlights. Both the driver and any occasional passenger must wear a crash helmet.
In Spain, what type of gas is super plus Sin plomo?
- Highways (autopistas) are identified by the letters A or E, as well as the road number. Toll roads (autopistas de peaje) are identified by the letters AP and the number of the road. There are numbers on all of the exits (salidas).
- Autovas (two-lane highways) are identified with an E and the road number. A median strip between lanes is not always present.
- National highways (carreteras nacionales) are identified by the letters N or CN, as well as the road number.
- Country roads (carreteras comarcales) are denoted with a C and the number of the road.
In 2006, leaded gas was phased out and is no longer available. The quality of Sin Plomo 98 is significantly better, but it is also more expensive. Unless your rental car states otherwise, the Sin Plomo 95 is the way to go.
The technique for filling up at gas stations differs by brand. In most cases, you fill the tank first and then pay inside the store. You may have to pay first in some cases. This is true during the night (after 23:00 and until 6:00).
Gasoline is reasonably cheap in comparison to other EU nations and Japan, although it is still more expensive than in the United States. Keep in mind that most rental cars are diesel, and that leaded gasoline is no longer available in Spain.
Is there a lot of diesel in Spain?
Along the Spanish highways, there are numerous service stations. Throughout Spain, unleaded gasoline, diesel oil, and lubricating oil are easily available.
Is 93 octane identical to 98 Ron?
These are various octane blends that were all rated using the same method, the US method. The EU has a grade of 95/98, which is similar to 91/93 in the United States. As a result, EU 95 octane is equivalent to US 91 octane, and EU 98 octane is equivalent to US 93 octane. With EU 98 octane Equals 93 US octane, you’ll get the best results.
What exactly is B7 diesel?
Diesel B7 is a fuel that contains up to 7% biocomponents and meets the requirements of the European diesel standard EN590.
The lubricating qualities of B7 Truckdiesel provide trouble-free running.
Truck diesel is the most frequently utilized on the market and may be used in all sorts of diesel engines.
Is E10 superior to E5?
Both E5 and E10 are unleaded gasoline, but E10 contains a larger percentage of bio-ethanol, up to 10% vs a maximum of 5% in E5. This higher bio-ethanol content, which comes from renewable sources, helps automobiles emit less CO2, although it affects their fuel economy marginally.
In Spain, what kind of gas is Super 98?
- Yellow lines: Do not park next to a yellow line in a residential area. You will almost certainly be pulled away if you do so (especially if you are in a foreign car).
- While you can usually find a gas station practically anyplace in Spain, the biggest difference between Spanish and American gas stations is that fuel is branded differently in Spain. Super or super 68 is the name for leaded gasoline, sin plomo 98 or Eurosuper 95 is the name for unleaded gasoline, and gasoleo is the name for diesel. When refueling, you must also turn off the engine, radio, lights, and your cell phone.