Useful information

Traffic Laws

Most highways in Spain are equipped with speed cameras. Some of them warn about the speeding violation of a foreign vehicle driver by the nearest police station. In this case, the employee has the right to stop the vehicle and issue a penalty, which must be paid immediately.

The use of dipped-beam headlights in the daytime is mandatory only when driving through tunnels. Radar detectors in Spain are allowed, but anti-radar is prohibited (a fine of an average of 6,000 EUR).

When renting a car, it is worth checking the presence of obligatory equipment: two warning signs (you need to install both if necessary), a spare wheel and a reflective vest (to use when leaving the car on the roadway or shoulder). It will be useful to have a set of bulbs for headlights, a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.

Speed ​​limit in Spain. Locality: 50 km / h, not locality: 90 km / h, road: 100 km / h, motorway: 120 km / h. Minimum speed on the autobahn: 60 km / h.

In Spain, the use of seat belts by all passengers and the transport of children less than 135 cm in height in a special chair or using a booster are mandatory. Talking on mobile is allowed only by speakerphone, without headphones.

Fines

Small fines issued by the police can be paid immediately upon receipt of an official receipt (this is a mandatory requirement for foreigners, otherwise the car may be detained). But there is also a pleasant moment: a 50% discount is due for payment on the spot.

Allowable blood alcohol content in Spain is up to 0.5%. For drivers with experience less than 2 years: 0.3%.

Some amounts of fines: speeding - from 100 to 600 EUR; parking space - 90-200 EUR; parking under the sign "stop is prohibited", unauthorized overtaking, passage to red light - 200-400 EUR; non-use of seat belts - 200 EUR; talking on the phone without a speakerphone system - 200 EUR; violation of the rules of transportation of children - 200 EUR; Riding on an opposite - 400-500 EUR.

In many small towns, traffic lights are installed, controlled by radars - in case of a slight excess of the permissible speed, a red light will turn on on your way.

Toll roads

For the use of some roads in Spain will have to fork out. The amount depends on the distance to drive. You can pay in cash or by credit card. Be careful - for those locals who have cars equipped with a device from which payment is automatically charged (without stopping the vehicle), there are dedicated lanes marked with a blue circle with white stripes inscribed in a black square.

You will also have to pay for the following tunnels in the province of Barcelona: the Cadi tunnel (5 km) - 11.82 EUR and the Vallvidrera tunnel (2.5 km) - 3.78 EUR or 4.25 EUR during peak hours (from 7:30 to 10:30 and from 17:00 to 21:00 on weekdays).

Parking in cities of Spain

In the centers of major cities in Spain, the number of parking spaces is limited, finding free space can be problematic. The blue zone means that you must pay for parking by taking a ticket in the machine. The most common payment is parking on weekdays from 9:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 21:00, and on Saturdays from 9:00 to 14:00. But these rules may change. In some places, parking during business hours is impossible without special permission (Horas laborables).

Parking at the sidewalk if there is a yellow strip near it or a Vado inscription is prohibited.

Underground parking lots are called aparcamiento subterraneo, at the entrance indicates the number of empty seats or their absence (completo). The cashier for payment is located at the exit from such a parking lot.

The Ora Zona system, operating in some cities, means that you can buy a parking ticket at a tobacco shop or small shop that will give you the right to leave the car for 30, 60 or 90 minutes.