Guide to Driving In Canary Islands - Drive Safe in Canary Islands

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Canary Islands and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

100 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

120 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 30-50mg

drink and drive limit
More info  
urban
You drive in Canary Islands on the Right side  
urban
The currency in Canary Islands is EUR €
urban
To rent a car is  21 years and to drive is 18 years of age
urban
Current fuel price in Canary Islands 1.55 €/Ltr

Driving Laws in Canary Islands

Driving in Canary Islands
Pocket guide to driving in Canary Islands
Profile:
Canary Islands
Madrid
EUR €
Driving in Canary Islands
SPEED: (kph)
50
100
120
Speed limit in Canary Islands
Holiday:
Rush hour in Canary Islands
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Canary Islands
FUEL:
1.55
1.51
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Canary Islands
See World Fuel Prices for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
21
Min driving age in Canary Islands
DRINK:
30-50mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Canary Islands
EMERGENCY:
112
Emergency phone number in Canary Islands
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Canary Islands
PHONES:
No
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Canary Islands
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Canary Islands

Are there any special requirements for driving or hiring a car in Canary Islands?

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. 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.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.51

€ 1.55

Jan , 2024

€ 1.48

€ 1.53

Dec , 2023

€ 1.51

€ 1.54

Nov , 2023

€ 1.54

€ 1.57

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
The letter P on a blue and white sign indicates parking. In a blue zone, you'll have to find the ticket machine and display a ticket in your car. Yellow lines or a blue sign with a red border indicate no parking. Some cities have green or blue zones for different kinds of parking including residents only – the sign will tell you which.
 
Paid parking
 
As well as roadside ticket machines there are municipal and private undercover and open lot parking areas where you'll have to pay by machine or to the attendant. 
 
Blue Disc
 
Despite being in the EU, Spain and therefore the Canary Islands are not part of the Blue Disc scheme.
 
Enforcement
 
Enforcement of parking is often done the police although some towns and cities have parking officers. If parked illegally or causing and obstruction you will be fined and may have you vehicle towed away.
 
Disabled parking
 
Disabled drivers are entitled to use allocated parking spaces under the Blue Badge scheme but should print off and display a notice in Spanish alongside their badge. The notice is available at http://www.fiadisabledtravellers.com/ 

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

The emergency services can be accessed by calling 112, the European standard.

What to do in an emergency

In cases where there are no injuries, the details can be sorted out between the parties involved. If there is still a dispute, call the police and await a report from them. The same should be done if someone is injured. Where possible, don't move the vehicles involved and take photographs. Remember to be polite to the officers attending.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

  • 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

Canary Islands Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Feb , 2024

€ 1.51

€ 1.55

Jan , 2024

€ 1.48

€ 1.53

Dec , 2023

€ 1.51

€ 1.54

Nov , 2023

€ 1.54

€ 1.57

Oct , 2023

€ 1.68

€ 1.73

Sep , 2023

€ 1.67

€ 1.75

Aug , 2023

€ 1.56

€ 1.67

Jul , 2023

€ 1.43

€ 1.58

Jun , 2023

€ 1.42

€ 1.58

May , 2023

€ 1.40

€ 1.57

Apr , 2023

€ 1.52

€ 1.63

Mar , 2023

€ 1.59

€ 1.64

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Feb , 2024 1.51 1.55
Jan , 2024 1.48 1.53
Dec , 2023 1.51 1.54
Nov , 2023 1.54 1.57
Oct , 2023 1.68 1.73
Sep , 2023 1.67 1.75
Aug , 2023 1.56 1.67
Jul , 2023 1.43 1.58
Jun , 2023 1.42 1.58
May , 2023 1.40 1.57
Apr , 2023 1.52 1.63
Mar , 2023 1.59 1.64

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you're fully prepared to hire a car in Canary Islands and stay safe on unfamiliar roads.
Chloe Demaret
Posted by Chloe Demaret
About the Author -

Travel writer, social media guru, Chloe keeps our readers and customers up to speed with all the car rental and travel trends on our blog. Favourite destination: Dubai.

Visitor Comments

  • 20/01/2020

    stefano

    Hi, It's possible to drive a car with right hand (coming from the UK with my car/van) in Canary Island? Thanks Stefano
  • 02/11/2018

    Martin

    I know this is an odd question but would it be possible to hire a right hand drive car anywhere in ran Canaria, age and model is unimportant. thank you Martin Brady
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