SpainSpain
Traffic rules
Spain
1. Spain
Spain occupies most of the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, bordering Portugal, France and Andorra, and also includes the Balearic and Canary Islands. Traffic drives on the right. The road environment ranges from high-capacity motorways and dry interior plateaus to Pyrenean mountain roads and densely travelled Mediterranean coastal corridors. Spanish is used nationwide on road signs, while in autonomous communities with another official language, written road-sign information is also displayed in that co-official language.
Spain has an extensive network of autopistas and autovías, but there is no nationwide motorway vignette; most major routes are free, while tolls remain on certain motorway sections. Urban driving increasingly requires attention to low-emission zones (ZBE), whose access rules are determined locally. Spain also introduced an important safety change in 2026: since 1 January 2026, vehicles subject to Spanish equipment rules use a certified connected V16 emergency beacon instead of warning triangles when immobilised on the road.
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Which number can you call in an emergency in Spain?
Call 112 for urgent emergency assistance. Give the operator your location and explain what happened.
🔗 administracion.gob.es • Spanish Government, emergency services through 112
What alcohol limits apply to drivers in Spain?
General rule: The general maximum is 0.5 g/l in blood or 0.25 mg/l in breath. The DGT stresses that the only completely safe alcohol level for driving is zero.
Lower limits and exceptions: Novice and specified professional drivers are limited to 0.3 g/l in blood or 0.15 mg/l in breath. Drivers who are minors are subject to zero alcohol.
🔗 dgt.es • Spanish DGT, alcohol and drug checks, 13 July 2026
What speed limits apply to passenger cars in Spain?
Built-up areas: Spain uses different general urban limits according to the street layout: 20 km/h on streets where the carriageway and pavement form a single level, 30 km/h on streets with one traffic lane in each direction, and 50 km/h on streets with two or more lanes in each direction, unless signs establish another limit.
Conventional rural roads: For ordinary passenger cars and motorcycles, the general maximum on conventional roads outside built-up areas is 90 km/h, unless signs establish another limit.
Motorways: For ordinary passenger cars and motorcycles, the general maximum on autopistas and autovías is 120 km/h, unless a lower limit is signed.
What are the seat-belt and child-restraint rules in Spain?
Seat belts are compulsory for drivers and passengers in seats equipped with them, subject to limited legal exemptions.
Children 135 cm tall or shorter must use an approved child restraint suited to their height and weight and normally travel on a rear seat. Front-seat travel with the correct restraint is allowed only when there are no rear seats, all rear seats are occupied by children subject to the same rule, or the required restraints cannot all be installed there.
A rear-facing seat in front requires the frontal airbag to be deactivated. A limited taxi exemption permits rear-seat travel without a child restraint for children shorter than 135 cm on urban journeys; it does not cover travel on motorways or ordinary interurban roads.
Can you use a mobile phone while driving in Spain?
Handheld mobile-phone use while driving is prohibited. Ordinary hands-free communication must not involve headphones or similar devices. A separate exception permits certified or approved wireless devices integrated into motorcycle or moped helmets for intercommunication or navigation, provided they do not affect driving safety. All permitted use remains subject to the duty to pay attention and keep control.
What safety equipment must a Spanish car carry?
A Spanish-registered passenger car subject to these rules must carry a certified connected V16 beacon, a high-visibility reflective vest, and a spare wheel with the necessary tools or an acceptable alternative tyre-mobility system. Since 1 January 2026, a non-connected beacon is not the required warning device. Foreign-registered vehicles in international circulation may continue to comply using warning triangles under the applicable convention rules.
🔗 dgt.es • Official national authority, claim-specific guidance
Can a visitor use a driving licence issued in another EU country in Spain?
Yes. A valid, full EU driving licence is recognised for the vehicle categories it covers. You must meet the applicable minimum age. A learner licence or a temporary replacement certificate does not have the same automatic recognition.
Are motorcycle helmets compulsory in Spain?
Yes. On an ordinary, open motorcycle, both the rider and passenger must wear a protective helmet. Use a helmet that meets the applicable approval requirements and fasten it correctly. Check the specific rules before relying on an exemption for an enclosed or specially equipped vehicle.
