Everything you need to know about driving rules and laws in Spain
In Spain, speed limits for cars are: motorways and dual carriageways (autopistas and autovías) 120 km/h, conventional roads 90 km/h. In towns: 50 km/h on streets with two or more lanes in each direction, 30 km/h on streets with one lane in each direction, and 20 km/h on single-level streets.
Spain blood alcohol limit: 0.5 g/L for most drivers. Novice drivers (< 2 years) and professional drivers: 0.3 g/L. Zero tolerance effectively means below 0.3 g/L.
In Spain: 18 years old for cars (B license), 16 for mopeds (AM license), 15 for assisted cycling. Learner drivers can start theory at 17.5 years.
In Spain, vehicles from the right have priority at unmarked intersections. Left turns yield to oncoming traffic. U-turns are allowed unless specifically prohibited. Always signal 30m before turning.
In Spain, yield to vehicles already in the roundabout. Enter from the right lane, stay in outer lane for first exits, inner lane for later exits. Signal when exiting.
In Spain, blue zone (zona azul) parking typically costs €0.50-2.50/hour with 1-2 hour limits. Green zones are for residents. Double parking and blocking driveways result in fines from €80-200. Always check local signage as rules vary by city.
In Spain, seatbelts are mandatory for all vehicle occupants. Fine for not wearing a seatbelt is €200 and 4 penalty points. Children under 135cm must use appropriate child restraint systems.
Using a handheld phone while driving in Spain results in a €200 fine and 6 penalty points. Only fully integrated hands-free systems are legal. Even touching your phone at a red light is illegal.
Spanish motorways (autopistas) have a 120 km/h speed limit. Tolls apply on most autopistas (AP roads), while autovías (A roads) are free. Keep right except when overtaking. Minimum speed is 60 km/h.
In Spain, call 112 for all emergencies. At an accident scene: activate your V-16 emergency beacon (mandatory from 2026 for Spanish-registered vehicles, replaces warning triangles), wear reflective vest before exiting, and assist injured if safe.
Everything you need to pass on your first attempt
