How to drive in Spain – your Top Ten Tips and hints for driving in Spain by former driving instructor Ruth Collins-Cowburn

Prefer to watch the video? Click above. For the conversational facts, carry on reading…

How should you drive in Spain? Here are my Top Ten driving Tips, including the most popular one of all, how on earth do you negotiate Spanish roundabouts?  

Number 1! It’s a different country!

Some people think that because we’re all in the EU (or used to be!!) the rules are the same – they’re not!  It can be shocking, and scary initially.

Especially roundabouts/Pedestrian crossing/Parking/Stopping.  

Number 2!  Documentation. 

It is a legal requirement to carry in the vehicle and be able to produce:

• your original full driving licence.
• Proof of identification (Passport, National Identity Card).
• Proof of vehicle ownership. In Spain that would be the permiso de circulacion  If the vehicle is from the UK, for example, you should have the original V5C certificate.
• If you are driving a non-Spanish plated vehicle, then you should also have proof of insurance.
• Spanish registered cards do not need to carry proof of insurance – it’s logged on the database

Number 3!  Speed. 

There are speed limits in Spain!!!  But you may not think so judging by other drivers.  Just because everyone else speeds don’t feel you need to.  You don’t want points/accident/to drive beyond your ability.  Do the speed limit.  Remember in Spain there are minimum and maximum limits! (Blue square sign = min)

Number 4!  Points! 

On your Spanish licence they start at 12 and then get reduced for infringements, the opposite way to UK.  Penalties are high.

For example:

       Throwing cigarette out – 6 points

       Holding (not even using) mobile phone – 6 points

       Not wearing seatbelt correctly/restraining children correctly – 4 points

Plus financial fines

Number 5!  Space Bubble. 

The Spanish love to drive closely, and fill every gap. To keep safe – try to imagine a bubble of a minimum of 1 metre all around you plus the safe stopping distance. If someone pulls in front, and eats into your space, pull back and increase your space.  It sounds obvious, but lack of stopping distance is a real factor in accidents

Number 6!  Cyclists.  

A happy hobby for most. Spanish laws protect cyclists. Give them space. 1.5m if going below 48kmh, 2m if travelling faster.  Reduce speed by 20kmh less than the speed limit to pass.

Number 7!  Plan your route.  

Not all paths lead to Rome. Not all roads are paved/flat/in good condition. Know your driving style and how you like to be on roads (heights etc)

Number 8!  Garage/Breakdown cover.  

Do you know a good mechanic, do they speak English? Is your Spanish good? Choose where you buy your car carefully, get guarantees, get recovery (unlike UK you probably don’t have friends who can come and get you).  2nd hand car market is far more expensive than UK be prepared to spend €12k plus to get decent car.

Number 9!  Footwear. 

Driving in flip flops is an offence. That’s thongs or sliders to non-UK people.  Shoes must have back straps on and be safely worn (sandals ok)

Number 10!  Theory test.

Consider doing the theory test revision even if you’re planning to exchange and not sit test.  You will feel much more confident about laws/regs/driving. Click HERE for the theory test website.

Article by Ruth Collins-Cowburn.