In this article we look at the topic of driving in Spain primarily from the point of view of driving a car in Spain.
Many visitors either drive to Spain or rent a car when they get there.
However, not only do the English speaking drivers from the UK and Ireland have to contend with driving on the “wrong” side of the road, there are many other differences that are new to them, even the road signs as there being about four times as many as there are where they normally drive.
Guide To Driving Safely in Spain
Whether you are resident in Spain or you are a tourist visiting Spain who will be hiring a car, you must be absolutely aware that Spanish drivers often do not stick to the road rules that you may be used to in your own country.
Often drivers will turn off without indicating or they will weave in and out of lanes rather than sticking to the outside lane.
When the Spanish park in a small and tight space they often move backwards and forwards nudging the car in front or behind with their bumper in order to fit into the parking space!
Therefore scrapes and bumps are commonplace in Spain so it really doesn’t pay to have a nice top of the range new car model.
The following tips are to give a few of the cautions that these drivers need to be aware of, such as: –
Drink Driving Limits in Spain
This is a subject about which we had a lot of questions from people such as:
- What are the penalties for driving under the influence in Spain?
- How much can I drink when on holiday if driving in Spain?
- What is the alcohol limit in Spain?
If the level of alcohol in your bloodstream is 0.05 per cent or more you are over the Spanish drink-driving limit.
The Spanish have got extremely tough on drink-driving, once once upon a time they were very forgiving but tough new rules and regulations have been implemented and enforced.
On the spot fines can be implemented (as high as €602) as well as the potential withdrawal/loss of your driving licence from 1 year to 4 years and even potential imprisonment.
If you are a driver with less than two years experience you are only allowed an alcohol level of 0.03% in your bloodstream.
Alcohol and drugs. The alcohol limits are about half those in the UK and Ireland, and currently, the authorities are campaigning to reduce the number of accidents in Spain, which in 2001 was the third worst in the EU.
Since then, they are much better due to campaigns, but still are not as low as Spanish government wants them. Consequently, there is zero tolerance being shown to anyone driving under the influence, and any penalties given will apply in the driver’s home EU country.
Remember if stopped and found positive, you will not be allowed to drive away, and the fines are high as well as confiscation of licence for three months plus, plus penalty points being awarded for your driving licence (and attendance of compulsory schools for residents).
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DRIVER’S Classifications Please note the quantities are: – Mg/l = milligrames per litre of air—breathalysed. g/l = grammes per litre of blood by sample. |
MAX. ALCOHOL |
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IN EXHALED AIR Mg/litre |
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