subject: Driving in Spain - Do's and Don'ts [print this page] Driving in Spain - Do's and Don'ts Driving in Spain - Do's and Don'ts
Of course, we do - and so is using any device for the making or receiving calls i.e. headphone or earphone (the same goes if you're listening to music). The only time you can use a mobile is when it is completely hands free or you pull off the road and away from all moving traffic.
A pointer for all younger Costa Blanca Holidays visitors; the legal driving age in Spain is 18. You are glad you chose to drive while on your Costa Blanca Holidays aren't you? Drivers are responsible for the passengers and it's their responsibility to ensure all passengers wear a seat belt including rear seat passengers. Also children are not allowed to sit in the front under 12 years old unless over 150 cm tall. Dogs must be restrained in a moving car so remember when you bring Fido on his Costa Blanca Holidays he too needs to be restrained.
Those documents I mentioned before must be in the car while being driven on the road, you should also have with you your NIE residence card or passport and your receipt for showing that you have paid the road tax. It makes no difference if you're here for your Costa Blanca Holidays or you live here; if you're driving you are responsible for everything - documents and people - in your car. If like me you don't like the idea of leaving your documents in the car then you can make certified copies that have been duly stamped at the local town hall (Ayuntamiento).
Other items that you must carry in the car at all times are and this is for you who lives here as much as the person on their Costa Blanca Holidays is a yellow, orange, or red reflective vest which must be accessible without having to leave the Car. You can no longer leave these in the boot. You must also have two red triangles - in the case of an incident one is placed about 50 metres and the other 100 metres from the car - plus a first aid kit, the standard spare wheel and tools to utilize it. And if you wear glasses you have to have a spare pair in the car.
While considering to drive a car in Spain while on your Costa Blanca Holidays or you might be living here the last point maybe of interest If a foreigner is resident in Spain and commits a driving offence, points will be deducted as follows:
1. Foreigners with an NIE number are considered resident and therefore the same as a regular driver in Spain. A note with the points that have been deducted will be registered on the list of foreign drivers each time an offence is committed until 12 points have been removed. The driver is then arrested.
2. Foreigners without an NIE number are considered as a non-resident foreign visitor and must pay the fine immediately in cash or have the car confiscated until the fine is paid. A driver can find out how many points they have from the traffic department (DGT, Direccin General de Trfico) website. And one big pointer that so many forget here, the Legal Alcoholic limit in Spain is zero: Not a drop! Please do though enjoy yourCosta Blanca Holidays while here and have a safe and pleasant drive.
