Driving is on the right in the Canary Islands. You may be allowed to overtake slow moving traffic on the left on some motorways and toll roads. Don’t obstruct the fast lane or you will risk being undertaken.
Buses and taxis will expect you to give way to them. Radar detectors are illegal and you should stick to the speed limit (max 75 miles per hour) as speed guns are also operated. If you don’t have your passport and the police stop you there is an on-the-spot fine of 400 Euros! Early March is not a good time to drive through the mountains as a championship rally is being held at that time. Take care on the windy mountain roads at all times. Ask our car rental Canary Islands staff if you have any further questions.
If you are involved in a minor accident you and the other driver can sort it out yourselves. Otherwise call the Police on 112. Get the licence number, name and insurance company of the other driver. Then contact us and/or your insurance company. Should you have a crash, don’t argue with the police and refer to them politely as Senor or Senorita.
It is mandatory to wear seatbelts. The Spanish require the driver and front seat and back seat passengers to wear seat fitted belts. Children must wear seat belts at all times. Children under the age of 12 cannot travel in the front passenger seat unless they use a special child restraint.
The main motorway on the east side of the island of Las Palmas is marked as the GC1. To reach the motorway from the airport follow the blue signs which are marked ‘Sur’ – south.
As of June 2009 the cost of Petrol was 92 pence per liter. Gas stations have petrol, diesel and LPG fuel. If you make a mistake refueling, don’t start the car but ask the attendants to drain the tank for you. This will save you from having to pay for any damage.
Keep your tank topped up in case gas stations close during the siesta hour. However many gas stations are self service. Credit cards are usually accepted for payment.
Drink driving is heavily penalized and only 0.25 milligrams of alcohol per liter of blood is permitted. That is a blood alcohol limit of 0.08%. Breath tests are carried out randomly.
You need your passport and a driving licence to rent a car.
Always have your licence to hand. If it is written in a language with an alphabet other than Roman then you may need to apply for an international licence. Otherwise your normal licence will do. Take a photo identification card with you if you driving licence does not have a photo. You should need an international licence to hire a car in the Canary Islands but many companies in fact let you use a standard driving licence.
- Give way - Ceda el paso
- Right of way – Prioridad
- Exit – Salida
- Danger – Peligro
- No parking - Prohibido aparcar
- Slow – Despacio
- Lane – Un carril
- City centre – Centro ciudad
- Roadworks – Obras
- Where is the nearest petrol station? – ¿Donde es la gasolinera la más cercana?
- Excuse me, I’m lost – Por favor, estoy perdido…
- Go straight on – ‘Siga todo recto’
- Turn right – ‘Toma el giro a la derecha’
- Turn left – ‘Toma el giro a la izquierda’
- Detour - Desviacion
- Toll Road – Carretera de Peaje
- Road Closed – Cerrado.
- Road Open – Abierto
- Motorway – Una autopista
- One way street – Direccíon unica
Yes there are some toll roads and they are known as una carretera de peaje or una carretera de cuota. Have some loose change (Euros) handy.
- Villages 50 km
- Open Road 90-100 km
- Motorways 120 km
The conversion from kilometers to miles per hour is one kilometers = 0.62 miles per hour. Therefore the speed limit in Canary Islands villages is 30 miles per hour.
The minimum age to rent a car is usually 21 in the Canary Islands, with a clean licence and one year’s experience, but check with our staff when you enquire about booking.
The emergency services can be accessed by calling 112.
Observe all parking signs in the cities or any built up areas. Blue lines and markings mean pay and display so look for the machines. Your best bet is to park in underground car parks and the multi storey car parks in Las Palmas. Parking will generally be more relaxed in the Canary Islands than mainland Spain.