Spain
is almost as notorious as Italy and other
European centres for its fast driving, narrow
lanes and difficult parking. Petrol may
seem somewhat more expensive in Europe depending
where you hail from and the hassle may not
be worth your while. Train and bus services
are certainly adequate but for real exploration
of small towns and villages and greatest
freedom a car is ideal.
However for exploring smaller towns and
quieter regions a car is essential. And
if you are dividing the cost between a group
of friends it may not work out more expensive.
We advise that you read through the information
below and note that driving outside your
own country can be a scary and harrowing
experience with fast drivers, narrow lanes,
difficult parking, expensive tolls and different
rules or lack of rules.
If you can master all of these things then
the freedom of having your own transport
will be rewarding.
ROAD CONDITIONS
Spain's roads vary enormously but are generally
quite good.
Autopista's are the fastest. These are the
multilane freeways between major cities
and usually incur hefty tolls. Minor routes
can be slower going but more scenic.
If you are worried about tailgaiting or
impatient drivers the best way to avoid
it is to get out of the way. If you can't
turn off the road then don't be intimidated
to drive faster. Continue driving in a way
you are comfortable until they are able
to overtake or you can pull over safely.
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RULES AND SPEED
LIMITS
As in the rest of continental Europe, vehicles
travel on the right and overtake on the
left. Speed limits on the autopistas are
120km/hr, 90-100km/hr on country roads and
50km/hr in built-up areas. In residential
areas the maximum speed is 20 km/hr. Cars
towing a trailer are limited to 80 km/hr
on divided highways, 70 km/hr on other roads.
Outside many towns are sensors which detect
your speed as you approach. If you're speeding
a traffic light at the edge of the town
will turn red so you must stop before entering
the town. Two red lights mean No entry.
The minimum age of a driver is 18 years.
Children under 12 years of age must be seated
in an approved child seat to sit in the
front of a vehicle. Seat belts are compulsory
all passengers. The legal blood alcohol
limit is 80 mg or 0.05%
Motorcyclists are required to wear a helmet
and keep their headlights on day and night.
In tunnels all vehicles must use headlights.
In built-up areas horns may be used only
in cases of immediate and extreme danger.
Elsewhere only use the horn if necessary
(eg. As a warning). In daylight outside
built up areas you must use the horn to
indicate your intention to pass, whereas
at night flash your headlights instead.
You must always use the directional signals
in your vehicle to indicate any turns you
make. If a vehicle comes up behind you signalling
that it wants to pass check the road ahead
is clear and signal right to acknowledge
the situation.
In Spain jaywalking is illegal and generally
all traffic on the right has priority. Trams
which are stopped and accepting or letting
off passengers may not be passed. Some helpful
road signs include: Ceda el Paso
(give way)
If you get a fine in Spain as a foreigner
you must pay on the spot (20% discount)
unless you can present a Spanish bail bond
or address of a native friend or company
who will guarantee payment of the fine.
If you can't pay or provide an address the
vehicle will be impounded and the driver
detained until the fine is paid. You can
dispute the charge, follow the directions
on the back.
FUEL
Fuel prices are government regulated and
quite expensive. Some fuel stations accept
credit cards. Regular leaded petrol has
an octane rating of 92; the octane rating
of super is 97. Unleaded petrol is called
gasolina sin plomo. Unleaded super petrol
has an octane rating of 95. Diesel is called
gas-oil. LPG is called gases licuados del
petróleo.
DRIVING LICENSES
Spain recognizes driving licenses and other
traffic documents that are valid in other
countries. An International Driver's Permit
is a good idea. In Australia get it from
the nearest RACQ, RACV or equivalent office.
In America and Canada and the United Kingdom
it is available from the automobile association.
You only need to be 18 to drive in Spain
but 21 to rent a car.
EC format pink/green licence is accepted;
old-style green or non-European licence
must be accompanied with an International
Driving Permit.
PARKING
Long term parking in large cities like Barcelona
and Madrid can be expensive. Check if your
hotel provides free or good rate parking.
Parking garages are a safe alternative but
it can be expensive.
Here are some helpful hints to help you
interpret parking signs otherwise your car
may be towed if you are parking illegally:
Blue line on the street - resident-only
parking
One way streets - parking allowed on even
dates along the side with even addresses
and on odd dates on the side with odd addresses.
Park in the direction of traffic flow
Intersections or public entrances - do not
park within 5 metres
Blue Zones (Zona Azul) - 1.5 hour parking
between 8am-9pm
Zona ORAs - parking allowed with display
of a ticket bought at a tobacconist for
30, 60, or 90 minutes
Parking discs can be obtained from hotels,
travel agents, or the town hall.
TOLLS
The autopista's incur the heaviest tolls
but are the fastest routes. Learn to identify
them on the map and avoid them if you want
to save some money and your schedule allows
the extra time.
Tolls are payable on these motorways:
A1 Burgos (Castanares) to Miranda de Ebro
(A68)
A2 Junction A7 to Zaragoza (Alfajarin)
A4 Sevilla (Dos Hermanas) to Cadiz (Puerto
Real)
A6 Madrid (Villalba) to Adanero
A7 La Jonquera to Barcelona North
A7 Barcelona South to Salou
A7 Salou to Valencia (Puzol)
A7 Valencia (Silla) to Alicante (San Juan)
A8 Bilbao (Basauri) to San Sebastian
A8 San Sebastian to French border
A9 La Coruna to Santiago de Compostela
A9 Pontevedra to Vigo
A15 Pamplona (Noain) to Tudela
A18 Barcelona to Manresa
A19 Barcelona to Malgrat de Mar
A66 Bilbao to Zaragoza
BUYING A CAR
Most travellers will do this before they
get to Spain. For those working in the United
Kingdom this is probably the best place
to do it. Look in Auto Trader, Exchange
and Mart and Loot which advertise second
hand vehicles. On Market Street in London
(Caledonian Road tube) there is an an informal
traveller's van and car market.
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ADVICE ON CAR RENTAL
Hiring a car in Granada is a good idea if
you want to do some driving through the
Sierra Nevada mountain range just outside
the city. You can stay in the white washed
villages up here so there's no need to return
in just one day. Other travellers report
hiring cars in Barcelona to explore the
costal regions and hills around the city.
However some report that it can be hazy
on a lot of days.
Check what the terms are for hiring. Check
for things like the maximum number of kilometres
specified as you pay so much money per kilometre
over. There are always individual policy
differences about the fuel (i.e you return
it full or empty depending on what you arrange),
and vehicle insurance. Always do some shopping
around to compare prices.
BackpackSpain.com sells car hire through
Auto
Europe which has worldwide car rental
services. We ask that you consider purchasing
your car hire through them as this revenue
goes back into improving this site. Auto
Europe also have scheduled air from the
USA to Europe, 2,000+ three and four star
hotels, prestige and sports car rentals,
hotel bookings, chauffeur drive and transfer
services, European and South Pacific Motorhome
Rentals, and European cellular phone rentals.
Rental Services
Alamo (tel. 800/522-9696; 0181/759-6200
in the U.K.).
Avis (tel. 800/331-1084; 800/879-2847 in
Canada; 02/9353-9000 in Australia; 09/525-1982
in New Zealand).
http://www.avis.com/
Budget (tel. 800/527-0700; 0144/227-6266
in the U.K.).
Dollar (tel. 800/800-6000; 0181/897-0811
in the U.K., where it is known as Eurodollar;
02/9223-1444 in Australia).
Hertz (tel. 800/654-3001; 800/263-0600 in
Canada; 0181/897-2072 in the U.K.; 02/9669-2444
in Australia; 03/358-6777 in New Zealand).
http://www.hertz.com/
National (tel. 800/227-3876; 0345/222-525
in the U.K.).
Auto Clubs
Real Automovil Club de Espana (RACE) tel.
91 447 3200, Calle de Jose Abascal 10, 28003
Madrid.
The 24 hour nationwide emergency service
toll-free number is tel. 900 118118
