Driving Spain


Non-Residents can drive in Spain on a foreign driving license for a maximum of 6 months in the calendar year.
EU residents can drive on their existing EU license until it runs outs. When it does run out you must apply for a Spanish driving licence. Non-EU residents must obtain a Spanish driving license after one year.
Road Tax
Road tax in Spain is paid to the local government. The fee is related to the individual vehicle and the area. All vehicles are required to undertake an annual inspection ( called an ITV), to check the condition of the vehicle. Major towns and cities have several ITV stations to which you can take your car.

Insurance

As with most other European countries third party insurance is mandatory.
If you provide proof of at least 5 years no claims from your previous insurer you can reduce your insurance premiums.
Speed Limits
Autopistas/autovias 120kph
Dual carriageways 100kph
Country roads 90kph
Urban roads 50kph
Residential areas 20kph
Parking
No parking in spaces painted yellow or (obviously) in areas with "No Parking" signs.
Parking spaces with meters are marked in blue where a ticket can be purchased from an attendant or machine.The machine may be halfway down the block; don't assume that because there is no meter near the car that parking is free. These spaces are usually for two hours maximum. Fines vary between areas but can be substantial.
Fines
Fines for speeding are paid on the spot and are calculated at 1,000 pts per kilometre over the limit.
The legal drink-drive limit is 50mg per millilitre with breath test a frequent occurrence. Fines for this are very high.
Seatbelts
It is compulsory to wear both front and rear seatbelts.

Drink Laws
 
Spain has strict drink driving laws, only allowing 0.25 milligrams of alcohol per litre of blood - stricter than the UK where the limit is 0.4. New drivers are effectively forbidden to drink and drive, with a very low 0.1 mg/l limit.
Speed limits
Motorway
Open Road
Town
Alcohol % in blood
Spain
120 kph
90-100 kph
50 kph
0.05
Remember - Speeding and other traffic offences are subject to on-the-spot fines.

New changes in the Spanish Criminal Code (Código Penal) affecting “drinking and driving”.

As from the beginning of October 2004 there are new regulations that we all need to take into account when going out and driving. As a result, drinking and driving is simply not “possible” in Spain anymore.

A few years ago, we did not have many regulations that limited the amount of alcohol when driving, but in the last years, Spain has been implementing severe regulations becoming one of the hardest countries in terms of economic and legal consequences.

We all know that most of drivers cannot drive any vehicle with more than 0,25 milligrams when you are breathalised. People who have recently obtained the driving license and professional drivers are even more limited (0,15).

The latest change with regards to this subject is the new modification of our Criminal Code, implementing hard fines and penalties which can be between 550,000 euro up to 110.000,00 euro.

If you are also “performing” an unreasonable driving and are above the alcohol limit, you can end up spending up to two years in jail!, having the Spanish judge the last word about it.

Your driving license can also be removed from 1 to 4 years, depending on the level of alcohol when driving and the judge can also impose you to work for the Community between 31 and 90 days.

But when will you be facing jail? What will be the factor which determines that your process will be just an administrative or a criminal one? It is not yet clear and we will have to wait until the future application of the new law and the jurisprudence.

For the time being, it is important to know that the police agent (either guardia civil or local police) who stops you and the judge will be the most relevant ones and their reports and judgements will decide whether your process will be either Administrative or Criminal and therefore, your behaviour with them is fundamental.

Please take this note as a serious advice. Police and Guardia Civil are increasing their controls every day in every part of Spain, but particularly in areas like Marbella, Sotogrande and in general, the Costa del Sol.

PremierLaw October 2004