| If you are planning to visit Spain for a holiday, there | | | | 7) Do not, under any circumstances, drink and drive! |
| is a good chance that you will want to hire a vehicle | | | | The police are very strict on this and have controls |
| to give you a little more freedom and really take | | | | set up throughout the coast. The limit in Spain is quite |
| advantage of some of the beautiful scenery our | | | | low - 0.25mg/l if they test you using a breathalyzer - |
| country has to offer. | | | | so basically a couple of "cañas" and you are over |
| You've probably heard some horror stories about | | | | the limit. Fines are severe and you could even be |
| driving in Spain and might have been put off by it, | | | | locked up if the infraction is very severe. |
| but I assure you it is not that bad! If you are careful | | | | 8) Careful with Roundabouts!!!! Unlike in the UK, |
| and respect speed limits and road signs, you won't | | | | roundabouts are relatively new here in Spain and |
| have a problem. The following tips and guidelines will | | | | although you are supposed to give way to the |
| give you a brief overview of the more important | | | | person on the roundabout ie. to your left, many locals |
| points you need to be aware of when driving in | | | | seem to forget this. I recommend you just be very |
| Spain, specially if you are just on holiday and want to | | | | careful when entering a roundabout and don't assume |
| learn the basics. | | | | that people are going to give way to you. |
| 1) First and foremost, we drive on the right in Spain!!!! | | | | 9) If you are going to rent, make sure you get full |
| Seems like a trivial point as most people are aware | | | | insurance. You might have to pay a small daily |
| of this; however, you'd be amazed at how many | | | | supplement but it is well worth the money; any |
| accidents are caused by tourists who "forget" when | | | | scrapes or damage to the car will be covered. Some |
| turning out of a petrol station or similar and end up | | | | car hire companies already include full insurance in |
| heading the wrong way - please just be careful and | | | | their rates, just make sure you check. |
| alert at all times. | | | | 10) Do not park anywhere that is marked in yellow |
| 2) You must carry a valid driving license and if it has | | | | and be careful with blue zones in some towns (for |
| no picture, you must also provide your passport for | | | | example in Fuengirola); these areas have parking |
| verification. | | | | metres and highly motivated traffic wardens patrolling |
| 3) Minimum age for driving in Spain is 18 years; many | | | | the area making sure everyone is paying up! (the |
| hire car companies insist on drivers being at least 21 | | | | fines from infractions are a great source of income |
| years old so make sure you ask the company you | | | | for the local town hall) |
| are renting from first. | | | | 11) If you are unlucky enough to get fined by the |
| 4) There are certain items you need to carry in the | | | | boys in blue (actually they will probably be in Green |
| car at all times | | | | as the "Guardia Civil" are in charge of traffic on all |
| Spare tyre and jack in case of puncture | | | | roads) please remember that you will usually have to |
| Two warning triangles in case of breakdown | | | | pay the fine on the spot and in cash. I have even |
| A reflective vest in case you need to leave the | | | | heard stories of police officers escorting offenders to |
| car | | | | a cash point so that they could pay the fine. |
| Spare set of bulbs | | | | 12) Careful at Petrol Stations - it is very easy to get |
| If you have a hire car, just make sure the above | | | | mixed up and put the wrong kind of fuel in the car. I |
| items are in the car before you head off. | | | | actually rented a car the other day and was within |
| 5) Don't use your mobile when you are driving; you | | | | seconds of filling up the car with diesel when it |
| will also be fined if you use the phone whilst stopped | | | | actually required unleaded!!!! |
| on the side of the road! Fines can be pretty steep; | | | | Just remember that if it says gasolina sin plomo, it |
| you have been warned! | | | | means unleaded petrol and if it says Gasoil, its diesel; |
| 6) An obvious one: you need to respect the speed | | | | that should get you by! |
| limits. Max speed on motorways is 120Km/h; on most | | | | So there you have them, 12 tips to keep in mind |
| major roads it ranges between 90 and 100 Km/h and | | | | next time you decide to take to the wheel on your |
| in towns it can be as low as 30Km/h. You need to | | | | Spanish holiday; follow them and you'll have no |
| be careful with speed traps and cameras as they are | | | | problems. |
| being used extensively. | | | | |