What are the motoring rules and violations in Spain I should know about?
The minimum driving age in Spain is 18 years.
Car papers (registration documents, road tax receipt and insurance documents – in the past these had to be the originals but now they may be photocopies that have been certified by a Notary) and appropriate driving licence for your status must be carried whenever you are driving and produced for inspection if required. NB: there is NO provision in Spain for presenting any documents later at a police station.
It is a legal requirement for motorists to carry two red warning triangles (bearing a round symbol E9 and the code 27RO3, as officially approved by the Ministerio de Interior), which are to be placed in front of and behind the vehicle in the case of an accident or breakdown. Failure to comply may result in a spot fine of up to 90 euros.
It is also a legal requirement for motorists to carry high visibility reflective jackets in the vehicle. The jackets, either yellow or orange and conforming to EU Certificate Number EN471 (and stamped accordingly) are available from many outlets, including larger supermarkets, and are to be worn by anyone who gets out of a vehicle on a public highway (ie in the case of breakdown or going to the assistance of others) at any time of the day or night.
Cars are also required to carry a spare wheel, a spare fan belt and a full set of spare bulbs - plus the tools to change them. And drivers who wear spectacles for driving are required to have a spare pair in the car.
Children under 12 years of age may not sit in the front of a car unless in a fixed child safety seat.
On the forecourt of a petrol filling station, all electronic apparatus must be switched off, including:
- Engine.
- Lights.
- Radio.
- Mobile phone.
The legal speed limits are as follows:
- In built-up areas/towns - all roads: 50 kph (31 mph).
- Outside built-up areas - 'C' roads: 90 kph (55 mph).
- Outside built-up areas - 'N' or 'CN' roads/dual carriageways (autovías): 100 kph (62 mph).
- Motorways - 'A' or 'E' roads (autopistas): 120 kph (75 mph).
Motoring offences are graded as 'Very Serious' (muy grave), 'Serious' (grave) or 'Minor' (leve). There is also a 'Special Cases' category.
- Very Serious
Penalty = fine up to 602 euros and suspension of driving licence for 3 months.
- Exceeding the speed limit by 50% (and at least 30 kph).
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
- Refusing to take the breathalyser test.
- Reckless driving.
- Carrying 50% more passengers than passenger seats.
- Serious
Penalty = fine up to 300 euros and possible suspension of licence.
- Exceeding the speed limit by less than 50%.
- Parking in a dangerous position.
- Negligent driving.
- Throwing anything from the vehicle that could cause fire or accident.
- Minor
Penalty = fine up to 92 euros.
- Parking violations.
- Not wearing seat-belts.
- Any other non-serious offence.
- Special Cases
Penalty = fine of up to 1,505 euros and suspension of licence for up to one year.
- Using a mobile phone whilst driving (unless completely hands-free, with no headset).
- Driving without a proper licence.
- Driving an improperly registered vehicle.
How are fines paid?
For 'minor' violations there is a 30% discount for prompt payment of fines (within 10 days). Residents can pay the policeman on the spot or send a postal money order (from the Post Office), while Non-Residents have to pay on the spot (or they may have their vehicle impounded).
Any driver accumulating three (3) 'Very Serious' violations within a two-year period will have his driving licence permanently removed.
Note that a new credit-card style driving licence is to be introduced in Spain along with a new system of penalty points – this page will be updated with the new information when it comes into force.
