The complete guide to driving in Spain for UK travellers

There are several key differences when it comes to driving in Spain vs the UK, including:

• Motorists must drive on the right-hand side of the road
• You must carry an emergency kit in your car, including warning triangles, a spare tyre and tools and spare bulbs

From its scenic mountain routes and beachy coast roads to its iconic, culture-rich cities, Spain is a phenomenal road trip destination. With your own set of wheels, you’re not bound to one specific destination or at the mercy of public transport timetables. Instead, you have the freedom to explore Spain at your leisure, stopping for a swim in the sea, a wander around a quaint town or a sumptuous tapas lunch whenever the mood strikes.

However, there are several important differences to note when it comes to driving in Spain vs the UK. For instance, you might know that in Spain, motorists drive on the right-hand side of the road. But did you know that it’s mandatory to keep a high-vis jacket in your car at all times? Or that you need to register in advance in order to enter low emissions zones?

With this in mind, here’s everything you need to know about driving in Spain. Read on to avoid fines, stay safe on unfamiliar roads, and enjoy a dreamy Spanish road trip.

Documents and requirements for driving in Spain

Brits driving in Spain must carry several documents with them, including:

1. Valid driving licence

You may be wondering ‘can I use my UK driving licence in Spain?’ The answer is yes! When driving abroad, you must keep your full, valid UK driving licence on you at all times. No surprises there.

2. Proof of ID

You’ll also need to carry proof of identity, separate to your driving licence. Keeping your passport on you is the easiest way to tick this box.

3. V5C registration document

A V5C–sometimes called a V5–is your vehicle’s log book. This document is issued by the DVLA when your car is registered in the UK, and it’s a legal requirement to keep it on you when driving in Spain. If you’ve hired a car, rather than brought your own vehicle across, you’ll need to carry your rental agreement instead.

4. Insurance certificate

You must also carry your motor insurance certificate with you. UK motorists don’t need a green card to drive in Spain, but they must be able to show proof of insurance when asked.

5. UK sticker

It is mandatory for UK drivers to display a ‘UK’ sticker on the rear of their vehicle when motoring in Spain. While in many other EU countries, displaying certain symbols on your number plate means you don’t need an additional sticker, in Spain, you must use a sticker no matter what your number plate looks like.

6. International Driving Permit (IDP)

An IDP is a document that essentially acts as a translation of your UK driving licence. You can pick one up from your nearest PayPoint store – you just need to bring your driving licence, a recent passport photo and (if you have a paper licence) an original, valid passport. An IDP costs £5.50 and is quick and easy to get.

So, ‘Do I need an international driving permit to hire a car in Spain?’

Most drivers who hold a full, valid, UK photocard driving licence do not legally need an IDP to drive in Spain.

However, you may need to get an IDP if your licence was issued in one of these places:

• Gibraltar
• Guernsey
• Jersey
• The Isle of Man

If you have a UK paper licence, you don’t strictly need an IDP just to drive in Spain. However, if you’re going to be motoring in Spain for more than six months, or you’re planning to rent a car, you will need to secure this document before your trip.

7. A credit card

Are you planning to hire a car in Spain? If so, bring your credit card with you. While some car rental outlets will accept debit cards, the majority won’t let you hire a vehicle without a credit card.

A guide to driving in Spain for UK drivers

Before hitting the road in Spain, it’s crucial to understand how driving over there differs from motoring back in the UK.

1. Drive on the right

In Spain, motorists drive on the right hand side of the road. This is the single biggest difference between driving in Spain and the UK, and can take a little getting used to.

2. Know the speed limits

Much like in the UK, Spain’s speed limits are displayed on circular signs with red borders. However, unlike in the UK, Spain’s speed limits are displayed in kmh rather than mph.

Standard speed limits in Spain are:

• 120 kmh (75 mph) on motorways
• 90 kmh (56 mph) on rural roads
• 50 kmh (31mph) in built-up areas

However, these speed limits may vary so it’s important to look out for roadside signs too. Please bear in mind that speeding fines can be steep in Spain.

3. Prepare for motorway tolls

Spain has autopistas (newer motorways where you can expect to pay tolls) and autovias (free dual carriageways). If you’re planning to venture onto any autopistas during your journey, keep cash or your card handy for payment stations.

4. Learn Spanish parking regulations

When it comes to parking in Spanish cities, the easiest options are usually underground car parks, hotel parking and shopping centre parking. However, if you do need to park on the street, it’s important to be aware of what the following markings mean.

• Blue lines: pay-and-display parking
• Yellow lines: no parking
• White lines: generally means free parking, but can also signify residents-only parking. Check signs nearby for exceptions and time limits.

In some places, cars must park on one side of the street during the first half of the month and the opposite side during the second half. Local signage (often in Spanish) will indicate this.

5. Understand alcohol limit

While it’s always safest never to get behind the wheel after an alcoholic drink, it’s worth knowing that Spain has stricter rules and regulations around drinking and driving than the UK. In Spain, the blood alcohol limit is 0.05% (50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood), while in the UK it’s 0.08%. What’s more, Spain has a lower limit of 0.03% for professional and novice drivers.

6. Be aware of headlight regulations

Driving a UK vehicle in Spain? You’ll most likely need headlight beam deflector stickers to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic – unless your car allows you to manually adjust the beam. This is because UK vehicles are built to drive on the left side of the road, meaning their headlights are slightly angled to the left in order to illuminate road signs and verges. When you’re driving on the right-hand side of the road, deflector stickers adjust or block the beam pattern, preventing the light from dazzling other drivers.

Drivers in Spain must use dipped beam headlights from sunset to sunrise on all roads – including well-lit urban areas. There are also several situations in which you should use dipped beams during the day, including in tunnels (regardless of lighting), in weather conditions that impact vision (like rain, snow and dust), on narrow winding roads with limited visibility, and when towing a vehicle. However, if your car has DRLs (daytime running lights), they may be used instead of low beams during the day.

7. Carry required equipment

In addition to the documentation outlined above, motorists driving cars in Spain are required to carry certain items in their car by law. Failure to present the following kit when asked to could result in steep fines.

These include:

• Two warning triangles: one for the front of the vehicle and one for the rear if you break down.
• High-visibility reflective jacket: this must be kept inside the car (not the boot) and is to be worn before exiting the vehicle on a road or motorway. It’s mandatory to carry one jacket for the driver, but it’s also advisable to carry one for all passengers.
• Spare tyre and tools or puncture repair kit: in Spain, drivers must carry a spare wheel and the tools to change it, or a puncture repair kit.
• Headlight beam deflectors: if you’re driving a UK vehicle, you must use these to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
• Emergency spare bulbs: police can fine you if you’re unable to replace a blown out light.

Furthermore, while not required by law, it’s advisable to carry a first aid kit and fire extinguisher in your vehicle too.

8. Keep a record of emergency numbers

While most car journeys in Spain will go very smoothly, it’s important to know how to get help and be prepared for emergencies.

Here are some important numbers to make a note of:

• General emergency (police, fire, ambulance) – 112: this EU-wide number should work from any phone, with no area code needed.
• Civil Guard Traffic Division – 062: the Guardia Civil de Tráfico handles road accidents, traffic violations, and rural policing.
• Local Police – 092: contact the Policía Local for local incidents or minor accidents in towns or cities.
• National Police – 091: the Policía Nacional handles serious crimes or emergencies in urban areas.
• Roadside Assistance – 900 112 222: contact RACE (the Spanish equivalent of the AA or RAC) if you have Spanish cover or a European breakdown policy.
• Breakdown/Accident on Motorway – 011: call this number for traffic info and incident reporting.

9. Understand Spain’s ZBEs (low emission zones)

Several ZBEs (Zona de Bajas Emisiones) have been implemented in Spanish cities, including Barcelona and Madrid. These low emission zones restrict access to high emission vehicles, allowing in only those that meet Spain’s LEZ environmental standards.

So how does this impact foreign vehicles? Regulations vary from city to city, but generally UK drivers in a non-Spanish car will need to register in order to confirm their emissions category before entering the ZBE. In some cases, this registration must be completed far in advance of arrival, so it’s worth checking the rules of the specific ZBE you plan to enter.

If you hire a Spanish car, it should come with a Spanish DGT environmental sticker that will make it clear whether you’re permitted to enter different ZBEs. If you’re not sure, check with your car rental provider.

With this in mind, you may want to avoid driving in large Spanish cities with ZBEs. Instead, park up outside the centre and travel into town on foot or on public transport.

10. Know what to do in an emergency

If you encounter a problem with your car while driving in Spain, take the following steps:

1. Stop safely: pull over to a safe location, ideally on the hard shoulder or in a rest area, and turn on your hazard lights.
2. Make yourself visible: put on your reflective vest before exiting the car, and then set up your warning triangles. On a standard road, place one triangle approximately 50 metres behind the car. On a motorway or two-way road, put one triangle in front of the vehicle and one behind.
3. Call for help: if you’ve had a car accident or are in danger, call 112 for the emergency services. For breakdowns and minor issues, call your roadside assistance service using the number on your policy
4. Contact your car rental company: if you’ve hired a car, call the rental firm’s emergency number to let them know what’s happened. Some companies will send a tow truck or replacement car.
5. Document the incident: if you’ve been involved in an accident, take photos of damage, license plates, and the scene, and exchange contact and license details, and insurance info.

11. Learn useful phrases

While you don’t need to be a fluent Spanish speaker to successfully navigate the country’s roads, it will definitely help to pick up a couple of handy words and phrases before setting off.

Here are some of the most useful Spanish words and phrases for driving:

• Car – Coche/Automóvil
• Road – Carretera
• Highway/motorway – Autopista/autovía
• Petrol station – Gasolinera
• Fuel/petrol – Combustible/Gasolina
• Diesel – Diésel/Gasoil
• Driver’s licence – Carné de conducir
• Insurance – Seguro
• Rental car – Coche de alquiler
• Accident – Accidente
• Breakdown – Avería
• Police – Policía
• I need help – Necesito ayuda
• I had an accident – He tenido un accidente
• My car broke down – Mi coche se ha averiado
• I don’t speak Spanish well – No hablo bien español
• Do you speak English? – ¿Hablas inglés?
• Can I park here? – ¿Puedo aparcar aquí?
• No parking – Prohibido aparcar
• One way – Sentido único
• No entry – Prohibido el paso
• Entrance – Entrada
• Exit – Salida