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Holiday Car Hire driving tips and traffic regulations in Spain
- Drivers licence - Non-Residents can drive in
spain on a foreign driving license for a maximum of 6 months in the
calendar year. If you are EU member you don't have any problem.
- Driving age - The minimum driving age in Spain
is 18. For holidaycarhire is 23.
- Right of way - All traffic coming from the right
- including slow traffic - has right of way, except when you are on
a right of way road. Public transport coming from the right always has
right of way unless indicated otherwise. There are no set rules in the
mountains.
- Parking - No parking in spaces painted yellow
or (obviously) in areas with "No Parking" signs. No parking is allowed
within 7 metres of a bus or tram stop. On a one way road you are allowed
to park on the side with even house numbers on even numbers of the month
and vice versa. When there are parking metres are marked in blue check
the times you have to pay as it is often only needed between 9:30 and
14:00 and 16:30 to 20:00 o'clock. a ticket can be purchased from an
attendant or machine, the machine may be halfway down the block.
- Invalid parking - You can park with your invalid
card from back home on the invalid spots without a problem.
- Radar detection - The use of radar detection
equipment is against the law. Fines for speeding are paid on the spot
and are calculated per kilometre over the limit.
- Mobile telephones - The use of a mobile telephone,
other than a true hands-free, whilst driving is now banned in Spain,
even at the side of the road. You have to pull off the road completely
away from any traffic. You may also not have any device in your ears
to listen to music or your mobile phone etc., only allowed is something
for enhancing your hearing, i.e. a deaf-aid. Sadly, you still see erratic
driving where a mobile is in use, but penalty points can now be awarded.
- Alcohol - The maximum allowed drink-drive limit
is 50mg millilitre with breath test a frequent occurrence, although
it is recommended not to drink at all when driving. New drivers are
effectively forbidden to drink and drive, with a very low 0.1 mg/l limit.
- Max Speed - Cars and bikes have to stick to
the indicated maximums. In the villages 50 km/h. Highways=Autopistas/autovias
120 km/h. Roads with 2 lanes or more/ Dual carriageways 100km/h. Country
roads 90 km/h. Residential areas 20km/h.
- Noises - It is against the law to use the horn
in between 23:00 and 6:00 o'clock. Use of lights is recommended. In
the mountains you have to use the horn at turns at all times. Reflective
Vests - It is obligatory to wear one once you step out of the car on
a main road (for emergencies and car problems).
- Seatbelts - It is compulsory to wear both front
and rear seatbelts.
- First-aid kit - Is advised, but not compulsory.
- Children in cars - Children under 12 cannot
travel in the front unless using a suitable restraint system. Children
over 3 years that do not surpass the high of 1.50 cm must use an accredited
restraint system according to their size and weight. Under 3 years always
must travel in the back seat using an accredited restraint system according
to their high and weight.
- Replacement bulb set - is compulsory.
- Gasoline & Diesel - Gasoline in Spain is quite
expensive. Super will cost about 1.10€, unleaded costs (sin plomo) around
1.19€ and Diesel (gasoleo) costs around 0.91€. Prices will vary from
station to station. Please note that these prices are only meant to
act as a guide.
- Kms vs Miles - 1 mile=1.6 km 1 / 1km=0.6 miles.
- Triangle - It is obligatory to have two triangles
in your car. One to put in front and one to put at the back of your
car in case of an accident or breakdown.
- Tunnels - All vehicles must use their headlights
when driving through tunnels in Spain.
- Towing - Particulars are not allowed to tow
a car. Spend the night in the car - It is allowed but certainly not
recommended in regards to safety.
- Toll - Most toll stations accept credit cards
for payment but it is advised to also carry cash. For Andalucia maps
detailing where you will have to pay tolls follow the link below: www.autopistadelsol.es
- In case of accidents - If there is no policeman
around, take down the number of the other car involved, lock your car
and go with the driver of the other car and look for a policeman. You
will need to get a report from the police stating where the accident
occurred, the names of both owners, NIE and insurance companies and
the damage done. Try to obtain names, telephones and addresses of any
witnesses. In any case call us for assistance.
- Useful and Important Numbers:
If you need an ambulance or police call 112.
The Red Cross: 956 68 20 20
Fire 122
Holidaycarhire emergency: Winterthur = 902303012
- All Holidaycarhire vehicles are equipped as follows
- Apart from a spare wheel in good condition and tools to replace
a wheel, we have in the vehicle a set of the appropriate spare light
bulbs and any tools needed to replace them. Two recent additions to
Spanish traffic regulations we carry two ministry approved emergency
triangles and 2 reflexives jacket, which should be worn by anyone who
gets out of your vehicle on a main road/motorway.
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