Guide to Driving In Spain - Drive Safe in Spain

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

URBAN SPEED LIMIT

50 kph

urban
More info  

RURAL SPEED LIMIT

90 kph

rural
More info  

motorway speed limit

120 kph

speed limit
More info  

Drink Drive Limit

 50mg

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

Driving Laws in Spain

Driving in Spain
Pocket guide to driving in Spain
Profile:
Spain
Madrid
EUR €
Driving in Spain
SPEED: (kph)
50
90
120
Speed limit in Spain
Holiday:
Rush hour in Spain
Cameras:
YES
YES
Speed cameras in Spain
FUEL:
1.55
1.51
EUR/Litre
Fuel prices in Spain
See Fuel Price in Spain for full statistics
MIN AGE:
18
21
Min driving age in Spain
DRINK:
50mg
Blood alcohol content
Drink driving in Spain
EMERGENCY:
112
Emergency phone number in Spain
DOCUMENT:
Driving documents in Spain
PHONES:
No
Hands free only
Mobile phone driving in Spain
SEATBELTS:
Yes
Yes
Seat belt in Spain
See here for current child seats law in Spain

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

Driving is on the right and you must not overtake on the right on highways. Outside of the cities, driving in Spain is a pleasure and road trips around and across Spain are very popular because of their differing scenery.

Rules of the road

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Emergency Services Numbers

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

Notes:

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2024

€ 1.52

€ 1.60

Feb , 2024

€ 1.51

€ 1.55

Jan , 2024

€ 1.48

€ 1.53

Dec , 2023

€ 1.51

€ 1.54

Parking Information

Parking regulations

Parking regulations
 
Where parking is restricted it will be indicated by a 'Blue Zone' sign.  Most restrictions stop for twelve hours from 8 pm.
 
Paid parking
 
You can park in blue zones for up to two hours. This parking is usually payable, either by parking meter or ticket machine, some of which take card payment. Paid parking can be also be found in municipal garages and dusty lots.
 
Enforcement
 
Local wardens enforce parking regulations. Your car can be towed or ticketed. If it is towed you will need to pay a release fee, the parking fine and a parking charge for its time at the pound.
 
Disabled parking
 
International disabled badges are recognised in Spain and entitle you to the same benefits as in the UK except that where parking is prohibited, you must seek the consent of a traffic warden to park there.

Emergency Information

Emergency Information

Police Police: 112

Police Fire: 112

Police Ambulance: 112

The emergency services can be accessed by calling 112.

What to do in an emergency

If you have a problem with your vehicle, call the number given to you by your car hire agent or, if in your own car, use the number for the Spanish partner of your motoring organisation. Use the warning triangles to let other drivers know you have a problem and wear your reflective vest at all times when out of your car. 

If you are involved in an accident, call the emergency services on 112 and wait with the car until they arrive. You shouldn't move any vehicles unless they are causing a danger to others. You should always address the police as Senor or Senora and ask for a copy of the accident report for your insurers or the car hire company.

Handy Guides

World Driving Guides

Road Signs

Handy Phrases

  • Give way - Ceda el paso
  • Traffic lights - Semaforas
  • Right of way – Prioridad
  • Exit – Salida
  • Danger – Peligro
  • No parking - Prohibido aparcar
  • Slow – Despacio
  • Lane – Un carril
  • City centre – Centro ciudad
  • Carretera – Local Highway
  • 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
  • Dual Carriageway - Autovia

Spain Fuel Price History

DieselUnleaded
Mar , 2024

€ 1.52

€ 1.60

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

Month, YearDiesel €/ltrUnleaded €/ltr
Mar , 2024 1.52 1.60
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

Hiring a Car

With our Drive Smart guide you will be  fully prepared to hire a car in Spain 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.

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