Driving in Spain

To make your trip to the Continent as safe and effortless as possible, we’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know before you go, from required documents to rules of the road.  

RAC European Breakdown Cover (Basic and Comprehensive) provides a wide range of benefits should you breakdown in Spain to ensure you stay safe. 

Need cover for the UK leg of your trip? Get complete peace of mind at home or at the roadside with RAC breakdown cover.

To supplement this, RAC also offers travel insurance. Cover will include medical expenses, baggage, personal money and belongings, among many other benefits.

Need insurance for your road trip? Our temporary car insurance product is perfect if you're looking for flexible and comprehensive cover for between 1 hour and 30 days

In an emergency

Emergency telephones linked to an SOS telephone network are installed at 2km intervals along motorways.

112 - Here's a really important bit of knowledge; you can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you're visiting. 

Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French. 

In addition to required documents, motorists are also required by law to carry the following items when driving to avoid hefty on-the-spot fines:

• Reflective jackets (although not mandatory to carry, you could be fined for walking on the road or hard shoulder if not wearing one)
• Warning triangle (compulsory in every vehicle with four wheels or more) (Residents must carry 2)
• Headlamp beam deflectors (Depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually)
• Crash helmets are compulsory for riders of mopeds, motorcycles, trikes and quads, unless these are equipped with seat belts. Motorcycles on the road must have their lights on at all times

What can't I take with me?

Be aware, you cannot take these items into Spain:

• meat products
• dairy
• fruit
• vegetables

There are some exceptions for medical reasons. You will need to contact the embassy before leaving on your trip to Spain.

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into Spain for up to six months in any period of 12 months. In order to stay on the right side of the law, the following documents should always be carried:

• Full, valid UK driving licence
• Proof of ID (passport)
• Motor insurance certificate
• V5 registration document

Do I need a GB or UK sticker for driving in Spain?

From 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad has changed from GB to UK.  

This means that vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters “UK” when driven in Spain.   

In Spain, the sticker must be visible no matter what is on your number plate.

Do I need an insurance green card?

Following 2nd August 2021, drivers no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to Spain.

Driving licence laws

Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in Spain. Riders of motorcycles up to 125cc must be aged 16 or over. 

Spanish low emission zones – do I need a sticker?

Spanish motoring authorities in Madrid and Barcelona require nationals to have an official sticker on the rear window of a vehicle indicating its emission levels.

However, foreign vehicles do not need Spanish Low Emission Zone Stickers. 

ETIAS – 2025

ETIAS stands for the European Travel Information and Authorisation System. It is a visa program for visitors who don’t need a Schengen visa, who want to travel to the European Union and a few other European countries.

Visitors who purchase an ETIAS will be able to enter the 26 member states of the Schengen Zone as well as Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, and Romania.

This will be launching in 2025. Learn more about ETIAS here.

• Overtaking and passing: In Spain, motorists drive on the right and overtake on the left. Vehicles exceeding 10 metres in length and exceeding 3.5 tonnes must keep a distance of at least 50m with the vehicle in front. The exception to the rule is in built-up areas, on roads where overtaking is prohibited and when there are several lanes in the same direction, or when the traffic is so heavy that it is not possible to overtake another vehicle.
• Who has priority?: As a general rule, drivers approaching an intersection must give way to all vehicles coming from the right. At a roundabout, drivers already on the roundabout have priority over drivers approaching the roundabout. Drivers on secondary roads must give way to vehicles coming from either direction when entering a main road. Emergency vehicles and vehicles on rails have priority over other road users.
• Warning of approach: Unnecessary use of horns is forbidden. In urban areas, sounding the horn is not allowed at any time, except in an emergency. If you need to give a warning, flash your lights instead.

Seat belts

It’s compulsory to wear seat belts in the front and rear seats of cars equipped with belts. 

The fine for failing to wear a seat belt is set at €200. 

Traffic lights

The international three-colour traffic light system is used in Spain.

Green, amber and red arrows are used at some intersections.

The Cross-Border Enforcement Directive

An EU cross-border directive came into effect in the UK in May 2017. This is aimed at tracking down people who commit traffic offences in cars that are registered in an EU member state different to where the offence was committed.

This means if you commit a driving offence abroad, the crime will effectively follow you back home to the UK where you can still be prosecuted.

Spain uses the metric system for all road signs, meaning speed limits and other Spanish road signs including distance are indicated using kilometres and metres.

Knowing Spanish speed limits before leaving on your holiday is important if you are looking to drive.

Special speed restrictions apply to certain classes of vehicle, including mopeds, motorhomes and vehicles with trailers, so check before travel.

You may exceed the speed limit by 20km/h to overtake a slower vehicle outside built-up areas, except on motorways and dual carriageways. 

Motorways and dual carriageways may not be used by vehicles that cannot reach a minimum speed of 60km/h.

Speeding fines in Spain range from €100 to €500 depending on the speed at which offenders are caught, or the road on which they’re driving. 

Someone caught exceeding the limit by 60km/h or more could have their licence suspended for up to four years.

Speed camera detectors

In Spain, you’re still allowed to use a GPS navigation system that shows you where fixed speed cameras are. However, it's illegal to carry or use any radar jammer equipment when driving.

The driver of the vehicle is responsible for ensuring that all passengers under 18 are wearing a seat belt or appropriate restraint.

Car seats

Children up to the age of 12 and measuring less than 135cm travelling on the front seat of a car must be seated in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight. Children measuring more than 135cm may use an adult seat belt.

Children measuring less than 135cm travelling on the rear seat must also be placed in a child restraint system adapted to their size and weight.

In vehicles with more than nine seats, passengers over three years old (except those measuring less than 135 cm) must use seat belts if they are installed. 

Bike helmet law

It is compulsory for cyclists under the age of 16 to wear a helmet.

It’s also mandatory for all cyclists, whatever their age, to wear a safety helmet on all roads outside built-up areas, except on a long steep hill or in very hot weather. 

Camper vans and cars with caravans are not allowed to exceed 18.75 metres in length, 4 metres in height and 2.55 metres in width.

On camper vans or cars with caravans exceeding 12 metres in length, there must be one long or two short reflectors at the rear.

Loads mustn’t exceed 10 tonnes at a single axle but may exceed the length of the vehicle at the rear by up to 10% of its length. This should be indicated by a panel with diagonal red and white stripes.

Please note: The Department for Transport advises that A-frames are not legal for use by UK campers and caravanners abroad. In practice, this could mean towing your car while it’s fixed to a trailer.*

Towing

On camper vans or cars with caravans exceeding 12 metres in length, there must be one long or two short reflectors at the rear. This applies to vehicles registered abroad as well as those in Spain. The reflectors can be obtained from car accessory shops. 

On-the-spot fines

Police can impose fines on the spot. Fines may be reduced by 50% if paid within 20 days. A fine can be contested within 15 days.

Visiting motorists must pay their fines immediately unless they give the name of a person or corporation in Spain willing to guarantee payment of the fine. Otherwise the vehicle will be confiscated until the fine is paid. They can then contest the fine through the legal system.

Minimum and maximum fines

Fines range from €100 for a minor speeding offence to €6,000 for driving a vehicle with a radar jammer. 

Some motoring offences are considered criminal offences and can lead to much higher fines, as well as vehicle confiscation and a possible prison sentence.

Confiscation of vehicles

A vehicle can be confiscated for the following reasons:

• Mechanical defects
• Excess noise or pollution
• Lack of insurance
• The driver refuses to pay a fine
• The driver is under the influence of alcohol

In Spain, there are several parking rules that all drivers should be aware of before they arrive in the country.

• Regulations: Parking is prohibited within five metres of a bend or intersection. Vehicles parked during the night on inadequately lit streets must have their side lights illuminated. Vehicles must be parked on the right-hand side of the carriageway except in one-way streets where parking may be allowed on both sides.
• Paid parking: Road signs indicate the areas where parking is restricted and must be paid for, either at parking meters or automatic machines which issue tickets indicating the length of parking time that has been paid for. In Madrid, there is a regulated parking zone (the ‘SER’) where parking spaces are shown by blue or green lines. In these areas, parking is limited to 1 or 2 hours for visitors and can be paid by means of parking ticket machines or by mobile phone. In some large towns and cities, parking fees can be paid by inserting a credit card into the machine.
• Enforcement of parking regulations: Illegally parked vehicles may be towed away. If your car is taken away, you will need to go to the nearest police station and, to get it back, you must pay the fine for the parking offence plus towing costs. Wheel clamps are used in some towns when an illegally parked vehicle is not causing an obstruction.
• Disabled parking access: Foreign disabled permits are recognised in Spain. Permits for disabled drivers, which must be displayed on the inside of the windscreen, allow the vehicle to be parked for an unlimited time in zones which are for loading and unloading, and with a time limit in pedestrian zones. They also allow parking in some places where it’s usually prohibited by signs, if permission has been granted by a traffic warden.

Legal limit

The general limit for drivers of private vehicles is 0.05%.

For professional drivers (driving a bus, coach, HGV or public service vehicle), as well as for newly qualified drivers (less than two years' experience), the limit is 0.03%.

Random breath test

A driver suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or who has committed a traffic offence, must undergo a breath test for alcohol or a saliva test for drugs. All road users must undergo a breath test following a traffic accident.

If you refuse a test, your vehicle may be immobilised by the police and your driving licence may be suspended for one to four years.

Like other central European countries, Spain has motorways with tolls. You can pay for them with cash or a credit card.

Most motorways also have an electronic system of payment known as Telepeaje or Via T, which allows you to travel without stopping at toll booths.

Spanish service areas

There are many service areas along the Spanish motorways.

Availability of fuel in Spain

Different types of clean fuel are available in Spain. LPG is available under the name ‘Autogas’. 

Automatic petrol pumps are found in some large towns.

Fuel prices in Spain can be found in our up-to-date European fuel prices page.

If you are planning on driving to Spain, be sure to pick up a European Driving Kit from the RAC Shop, containing everything you need to keep safe on your travels, 

Not all of the information in the guide above will be relevant to those looking to rent a hire car in Spain. Though it might be a good idea to read through everything anyway, here are the most important things to know for drivers of rental vehicles:

Rental information

• The minimum age to hire a car is 21, although this may vary depending on the vehicle type
• You need a full, valid UK driving licence and usually a second proof of ID (passport)
• Car rental companies ask that you have held your licence for a minimum term of 1 year
• Some companies may require you to use a credit card for deposit
• You may not be able to drive outside of Spain unless planned in advance - check with your hire company first
• Make sure you get car hire excess insurance before your trip to protect yourself from unexpected costs. It's almost always cheaper to do this with a separate insurer and in advance

Hire car driving tips

• The Spanish drive on the right - the opposite to the UK
• The national speed limit on motorways in Spain, unless otherwise indicated on local signage, is between 100km/h (62mph) and 120km/h (80 mph). On a main road outside a built-up area it's 90 km/h. For built-up areas it’s 50km/h.
• Dial 112 in an emergency
• If seat belts are fitted to your car, they must be worn by both drivers and passengers.
• The blood alcohol content limit for drivers of private vehicles is 0.05%. That's lower than the 0.08% in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, but the same as Scotland.

*https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/helpandadvice/travelplanning/eurotraveladvice/europeancampingguide/page5