What Side Of The Road Do Spain Drive On?
Driving in Spain FAQs –
- Can I drive my car in Spain? Yes. You must have a valid UK licence and V5 document, along with sufficient insurance and breakdown cover for your trip. You should also familiarise yourself with the laws around driving in Spain before you set off to keep yourself and other road users safe.
- How do I drive to Spain? Getting to Spain by car from the UK is probably easier than you think. Firstly, you’ll need to take your car across the Channel to Calais on either a ferry from Dover or the Eurotunnel from Folkestone. Once you’re in Calais, drive down through France and across the border into Spain, which should take around 10 hours. Alternatively, you can take a ferry from Plymouth or Portsmouth to the northern Spanish cities of Bilbao and Santander.
- What side of the road do they drive on in Spain? Unlike in the UK, motorists drive on the right-hand side of the road in Spain and overtake on the left – which can take some adjustment if you’re used to driving on the left.
- Can you drive in Spain with a UK licence? Yes, you can legally drive in Spain with your UK-issued driving licence without the need to apply for an International Driving Permit.
- Do I need extra insurance to drive in Spain? Spain and the UK are both part of the Green Card System, a Europe-wide scheme allowing all countries to recognise foreign vehicle insurance policies of visiting motorists, so it’s quite possible your existing insurance will cover you. However, before setting off on your trip, you should contact your insurance provider to make sure that no additional cover is required, as you won’t be able to buy short-term cover at the border entry points.
- Is driving in Spain dangerous? Driving in Spain is generally very easy once you get used to driving on the right side of the road. All main roads are in good condition and well signposted, and the toll motorways are very quiet. Be careful if you go off the beaten track, however, as the quality of the roads and signage can vary considerably.
- Do I need a GB/UK sticker to drive in Spain? You will need to display a UK sticker on the rear of your car. GB stickers have been discontinued.
- Do I need headlamp converters in Spain? Yes. Depending on your car, you will either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually. This is so you don’t dazzle oncoming traffic when driving on the right side of the road at night.
- What is the national speed limit in Spain? The national speed limit on Spanish motorways is 120km/h (75 mph). If you’re driving on a main road outside a built-up area, the limit is 90km/h, and for built-up areas it’s 50km/h.
- Do I need snow chains in Spain? Although Spain is known for its sunny climate, it does snow in some areas. In certain circumstances, particularly on mountain passes, the use of snow chains or winter tyres may become compulsory.
- How much are toll roads in Spain? The amount you pay per toll will depend on the length of the road and the area you’re driving in. Visit https://www. viamichelin. com to calculate the cost of your journey.
- How do you pay for toll roads in Spain? There are two ways to pay for tolls – electronically or manually. On most toll roads, you take a ticket when you enter the motorway and pay when you exit at a booth with a green arrow. Simply insert your ticket into the machine and it will show you how much you need to pay. You can either pay by cash or credit card. If you regularly use toll roads, it’s worth signing up to the Telepeaje scheme which takes you through the fast lane without having to stop and pay.
- Does Spain use mph or kph? Spain uses the metric system for all road signs, so speed limits and other signs including distance are shown in kilometres and metres.
- Is it compulsory to carry a spare wheel in Spain? For Spanish residents, a spare tyre or puncture repair kit must be carried in the vehicle, but if your car is registered outside Spain this is not obligatory. You should, however, make sure you check all your tyres before setting off. The legal minimum depth of tyre tread is 1. 6mm for the full circumference of the tyre.
Does Spain drive on the same side as us?
Parking in Spain – While parking is relatively easy in most rural towns and smaller cities, it can be difficult to find a spot outside of paid parking garages in major cities of Spain. Additionally, there are a few rules and laws governing where you can park that make it even more difficult to find a good parking spot:
- Parking is not allowed within 16 feet (5 meters) of a bend or intersection.
- In general, parking is permitted in blue parking zones called zona azul or zoa O. , which are marked with signs in Spanish and have a maximum of two-hour limits during the day but no parking limits between 8 p. and 8 a.
- Cars must be parked on the right-hand side of the roadway, except on one-way streets, which may allow parking on both sides of the road.
- Paid parking spots typically have two-hour limits and are marked with signs and blue or green lines. These spots can be paid for at roadside meters or machines, or by using a mobile app in some cities.
Illegally parked cars may be towed, and in order to get it back, drivers will need to visit the nearest police station and pay the fine and all associated fees for towing and storing the illegally parked vehicle. Additionally, some municipalities use wheel clamps (known locally as cepo ) to enforce the fine—especially on rental vehicles. If your car’s wheel is clamped, you will need to visit the nearest police station to pay the fine and schedule for it to be removed.
What countries drive on left side of road?
Are cars in Spain right hand drive?
Sit left, drive right – Like most of continental Europe, in Spain, the driver sits on the left and people drive on the right. So if you’re from the UK, everything might feel a bit back to front, but you get used to it quickly.
Is it hard driving in Spain?
Car repair in Spain – You can find auto repair garages, shops and spare parts providers all over Spain. If you buy a new car from a dealership, they will usually put you in touch with contracted garages although these might not always be the most cost-effective solution. 
Garage in Andalusia, Spain You can usually just turn up at most garages, although you can book in an appointment to avoid problems or if you have a complex problem with your car. Most garages open around 08:00-09:00 and close around 18:00-19:00, many shutting for a couple of hours in the afternoon (14:00-16:00). Search for services in your area on sites such as Europages or the Spanish Yellow Pages ( Paginas Amarillas ).
Why do they drive on left in England?
Have you ever wondered why the British drive on the left? There is an historical reason for this; it’s all to do with keeping your sword hand free! In the Middle Ages you never knew who you were going to meet when travelling on horseback. Most people are right-handed, so if a stranger passed by on the right of you, your right hand would be free to use your sword if required. (Similarly, medieval castle staircases spiral in a clockwise direction going upwards, so the defending soldiers would be able to stab down around the twist but those attacking (going up the stairs) would not.
) Indeed the ‘keep to the left’ rule goes back even further in time; archaeologists have discovered evidence suggesting that the Romans drove carts and wagons on the left, and it is known that Roman soldiers always marched on the left.
This ‘rule of the road’ was officially sanctioned in 1300 AD when Pope Boniface VIII declared that all pilgrims travelling to Rome should keep to the left. 
This continued until the late 1700s when large wagons became popular for transporting goods. These wagons were drawn by several pairs of horses and had no driver’s seat. Instead, in order to control the horses, the driver sat on the horse at the back left, thus keeping his whip hand free. Sitting on the left however made it difficult to judge the traffic coming the other way, as anyone who has driven a left-hand drive car along the winding lanes of Britain will agree! These huge wagons were best suited to the wide open spaces and large distances of Canada and the US, and the first keep-to-the-right law was passed in Pennsylvania in 1792, with many Canadian and US states following suit later.
In France a decree of 1792 ordered traffic to keep to the “common” right and Napoleon later enforced the rule in all French territories. In Britain there wasn’t much call for these massive wagons and the smaller British vehicles had seats for the driver to sit on behind the horses.
As most people are right-handed, the driver would sit to the right of the seat so his whip hand was free. Traffic congestion in 18th century London led to a law being passed to make all traffic on London Bridge keep to the left in order to reduce collisions. 
There was a movement in the 20th century towards the harmonisation of road laws in Europe and a gradual shift began from driving on the left to the right. The last Europeans to change from left to right were the Swedes who bravely made the change overnight on Dagen H (H Day), September 3rd 1967. At 4. 50am all traffic in Sweden stopped for ten minutes before restarting, this time driving on the right. Today, only 35% of countries drive on the left.
This rule was incorporated into the Highway Act of 1835 and was adopted throughout the British Empire. These include India, Indonesia, Ireland, Malta, Cyprus, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and most recently, Samoa in 2009.
Most of these countries are islands but where land borders require a change from left to right, this is usually accomplished using traffic lights, cross-over bridges, one-way systems or similar.
Which country has no left-hand traffic?
LHT was introduced by the British in British India (now India, Pakistan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh), British Malaya and British Borneo (now Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore), and British Hong Kong. All are still LHT except Myanmar, which switched to RHT in 1970, although much of its infrastructure is still geared to LHT.
Can foreigners drive in Spain?
If you are planning to rent a car in Spain , applying for an international driving permit is important. Spain requires foreign drivers who have a license in English to obtain an IDP prior to arriving in Spain. This driving permit is a requirement to drive in Spain , and without the permit, you could face punishment if stopped by law enforcement officials while driving.
American drivers must have both their domestic license and IDP in their possession while driving. An international drivers permit in Spain is a translated version of your original license. It is available only to those who are currently licensed in their home country.
The license makes it easy for law enforcement (and others like staff at the rental car desk) to learn your name, address and other information without language barriers standing in the way. Auto Europe has all your travel concerns on renting a car in Spain covered.
Does a US driver’s license work in Spain?
Requirements For Americans Driving In Spain Expat Tips Published: 24 June 2019 14:13 CET Updated: 28 July 2022 14:13 CET If you are from the United States and are moving to Spain to work, study or even for a vacation, there’s a good chance that you will want to drive a motor vehicle during your time here. When it comes to driving laws and documentation requirements, Spain is no different from the United States and most other countries. American Driving Licenses and Spain The Spanish as in the U. can be quite strict when it comes to having the correct documentation.
If you are an American driving in Spain, you will need to carry both your valid U. driving license, plus an International Driving Permit (IDP). The International Driving Permit is a separate document that translates your driving license into 10 different languages.
It is recognized in over 150 different countries worldwide and allows any foreign authorities to be able to easily interpret your driver’s license in their native tongue. The IDP makes life a lot easier when driving in a foreign country, especially in non-English speaking countries, so is well worth the relatively small investment.
Many car hire companies in Spain may also insist on the presentation of an IDP along with your driver’s license. How to Get Your IDP (International Driving Permit) An IDP can be easily obtained for $20. 00 from your nearest American Automobile Association (AAA) office or online via their website here.
Once you have downloaded the IDP , you will need to complete it and either take it to your local AAA branch , or send it to the branch via post. Application for the IDP has to be made via post to the following address:- There are certain requirements and things you will need when applying for your IDP which you should be aware of. These include:-
- The fee of $20. 00
- The applicant must be over 18 years of age.
- Signed copies of the front and back of your current driving license.
- Two passport-sized photos (See application form for requirements)
- A completed IDP application form
Your current driving license will need to have at least 6 months of validity remaining beyond the issue of your IDP. Please note that the IDP is only valid for 12 months, at which time it must be renewed. The IDP can be renewed from overseas, but your driver’s license must be valid for at least six months from issue. You will also need to allow up to 15 business days for delivery of your new IDP.
- Traffic Citations and Your American Driver’s License If you do get a traffic citation while in Spain, it’s important to note that this is placed against your driver’s license and not the IDP document;
- Any citations incurred in a foreign country only apply to that country, as the various states’ Departments of Motor Vehicles are only able to access a national database;
There is no international traffic citations database at this time. Staying Long-Term in Spain Unfortunately, Spain and the United States do not have a reciprocal agreement on the validation of U. driver’s licenses. If you plan on staying in Spain long-term and becoming a resident here, you will need to take a Spanish driving test and obtain a Spanish driving license.
You can read more about this on our Spanish Driving Licences page. Private Health Insurance in Spain If you will be living, working or studying here in Spain, we can provide you with a wide range of expat health insurance policies to cover your everyday health protection needs.
All of our policies are in English (or Spanish, depending on your requirements. ) and are underwritten by BUPA. You can get an instant quote here https://www. healthplanspain. com/sanitas/sanitas-health-plans. html.
Can I rent a car in Spain with US driver’s license?
To rent a car in Spain, you will need to be at least 21 years of age and furnish a valid driver’s license from your home country, a credit card and an international permit ; you should also have a printed copy of the confirmation or voucher in-hand.
Can I drive in Spain with a US license as a tourist?
If you are planning to rent a car in Spain , applying for an international driving permit is important. Spain requires foreign drivers who have a license in English to obtain an IDP prior to arriving in Spain. This driving permit is a requirement to drive in Spain , and without the permit, you could face punishment if stopped by law enforcement officials while driving.
American drivers must have both their domestic license and IDP in their possession while driving. An international drivers permit in Spain is a translated version of your original license. It is available only to those who are currently licensed in their home country.
The license makes it easy for law enforcement (and others like staff at the rental car desk) to learn your name, address and other information without language barriers standing in the way. Auto Europe has all your travel concerns on renting a car in Spain covered.
Can I drive in the US with a Spanish license?
What ID do non-citizen residents need to drive in the U. ? – If you are eligible to apply for a driver’s license, you must get a driver’s license from the state where you live.
- The residency requirement for obtaining a U. driver’s license is different in each state.
- Check the requirements and find out how to apply by contacting your state’s department of motor vehicles.
- A U. driver’s license allows you to drive anywhere in the U. It is your responsibility to know and obey the laws of the state where you are driving.
Last Updated: May 17, 2022 Top.