Driving in Spain

There are many different aspects to driving in Spain. Whether you are taking your car with you into Spain or if you are hiring a car, you need to know the Spanish driving laws. (Reglamentacion General de Vehiculos).

Alicante Car Hire

Is driving in Spain the same as in the UK?

Well, the answer I suppose is 'yes and no'. Of-course there are some similarities but there are also a number of differences. And these are Important differences. And trust me, the differences are more than just driving on the 'wrong side of the road' (as we British like to say)!

For some people driving in a foreign country is as easy as 1,2,3. They have no problems at all. Whilst for others, driving on a foreign road is a daunting experience (and I must confess to being in this category!).

If you are going to be doing a lot of driving whilst in Spain then I can recommend purchasing ‘Motoring in Spain’. Reading it before you go and then keeping it with you at all times.

The pages here on discover-alicante.com will give you an overview of driving in Spain. The information isn’t as detailed as the book but you will be able to glean a lot of information.

Driving in Spain - tips

One of the most obvious tips I can give is to keep your common sense about you.

Wherever you are in the world, be it Alicante, the U.K. or the end of the earth, just using your common sense is going to help you no end! But apart from that:

Expect the unexpected. Be on your guard as the local driving style will be different to that you are used to
Don’t drive if you are tired. When taking a long journey do take regular breaks.
Wear your seat belt at all times and make sure your passengers do too.
Do not drink and drive. The Spanish driving laws are different in Spain to the U.K.
Do not use your mobile phone whilst driving.
If you have been involved in an accident, make sure you take the details from the other person(s) involved. Take any photographs you can. Contact your insurer immediately.

Driving in Spain - Emergency Contact Numbers

It is recommended that Foreign drivers make sure that they have a list of emergency contact numbers to hand. Probably best to keep it all with your documentation. You don’t actually need that many numbers so don’t start fretting!

British Consulate Alicante

British Consul: Paul Rodwell
British Vice Consul: Lloyd Milen
Address:
Plaza de Calvo Sotelo, 1, 2º
03001 Alicante
Tel: 902 109 356
Tel: (+34) 91 334 2194 (alternative number)
Fax: (+34) 96 514 05 28
E-mail: Alicante.Consulate@fco.gov.uk
Web: www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk
Opening hours
Monday to Friday from 08.30 to 13.30, excluding public holidays.

Breakdown cover

You should keep the telephone number of your Breakdown cover in your documentation. Or if you hired your car, then the telephone number of the car hire company breakdown cover.

Insurance

Keep the number of your Insurance company in your documentation (if you are driving your own car on the continent).

Emergency numbers

Guardia Civil on 062
Spanish National Police on 112

Driving in Spain - Spanish Driving Laws

What are the Spanish laws? You are entering a foreign country and like most tourists I am sure you want to respect their laws and keep yourself out of trouble.

Our page on Spanish Driving Laws tells you about:

The most common mistake drivers make.

What are the drink driving laws?

And how you should behave if you do face the Guardia Civil.

When you have read all the information you can try out our fun quiz to see how much information has stuck!

Driving in Spain - Road Safety

According to the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO), British drivers in Spain are twice as likely to die in an accident on Spanish roads than they are on British roads.

The FCO has produced a list of recommendations about Alicante road safety.

I have also uploaded some Spanish road safety videos – which are a bit far fetched but the message is clear enough!

Driving in Spain - Road Crime

Crime does happen and as a tourist you are a target – even when on the road (as you would be in any country, not just driving in Spain). Criminals are getting more sophisticated.

What are they doing?

We list some scams about Alicante road crimes.

As the saying goes "Forewarned is forearmed"!