Fuerteventura Forum

Drive safely and legally

Island connections article.


Following a number of enquiries regarding the road and traffic laws in Spain, we set out on a mission to clear up any confusion and hopefully help you do so as well.


Over the next few editions we will be highlighting some of the main differences between Spanish and UK law, as well as setting out other useful information.  First of all we shall look at two of the aspects that seem to have caused the greatest puzzlement.



Parking

Parking is regulated by the local authorities, though in line with laws set by the Spanish government.

Generally speaking the laws are common sense and very similar to the UK, i.e. you cannot park (or remain stationary) on motorways or any road that doesn't have designated parking zones; nor in bicycle or public transport lanes; on roundabouts, the pavement or pedestrian crossings; or anywhere where your vehicle blocks visibility or the free flow of traffic.   

Areas at the side of the road where it is prohibited to park or stop are denoted by a continuous yellow line: a broken or zig-zagged yellow line means you may stop, but not park.  A round sign with a red boarder and a diagonal line through it specify a loading and unloading (carga y descarga) area, which will usually show a time period during which it is illegal to park.  If times aren't shown then it is prohibited at all hours.

The round 'Vado Permanente' signs seen, usually, on garages and entrances mean that parking is prohibited, whilst a 'Vado' sign shows an entry or exit which may not be blocked.  If you park in these areas your car may be towed away – a privilege which you will have to pay for.

Parking spaces reserved for people with disabilities have a blue sign with a white wheelchair symbol and a 'P' on it.  At no time are you allowed to park in one of these bays unless you have a valid permit. If you are a holder of a UK badge see: www.fiadisabledtravellers.com (http://www.fiadisabledtravellers.com) where you can print off an official EU document in Spanish stating that you are a visitor from one of the EU member states and entitled to use your permit.

However, be warned, no disabled parking badge entitles you to park where the disabled bay sign also carries a name or car registration number on it.  These are explicitly reserved for the named owners or the specified car and anyone else parking there will be towed away and fined, whether they have a disabled parking permit or not.





Documents and accessories

There are certain items you are legally obliged to carry when driving in Spain. For instance, you must have reflective vests for the driver and any passengers in case of a break down.  These must be stored inside the car, rather than the boot, so they can be worn immediately.  You are also expected to carry two warning triangles and an inflated spare tyre, along with the necessary tools to fit it.  You can be fined for not doing so.

You must also have the vehicle logbook (called the Permiso de Circulación), the ITV roadworthiness inspection sticker in full sight on the windscreen and carry your insurance documentation.  Last, but not least, you must have your valid driving licence with you (plus your passport if you are not a resident or your licence does not have a photo on it): your car can be confiscated if you don't and there isn't a passenger carrying theirs that can take over the driving.   

Although original vehicle documents are preferred, it is possible to get certified copies via the Tráfico offices or an authorised notary.

The information in these articles is for reference only: readers should be aware that laws change constantly – see the article in this section on upcoming changes.   

I look forward to the Roundabout section.  :D  ;)

Quote from: Deso on August 14, 2013, 21:09:05 PM
I look forward to the Roundabout section.  :D  ;)

Are you thinking about the left turn or 180, from the right hand lane? Quite interesting is it not. I have seen Spanish lorries do this in the UK heading for the docks. It has resulted in quite a few T bone incidents

Quote from: Magoo on August 14, 2013, 21:59:07 PM

Quote from: Deso on August 14, 2013, 21:09:05 PM
I look forward to the Roundabout section.  :D  ;)

Are you thinking about the left turn or 180, from the right hand lane? Quite interesting is it not. I have seen Spanish lorries do this in the UK heading for the docks. It has resulted in quite a few T bone incidents

Yes indeed. I believe the Spanish are taught to use the right hand lane when turning left at a roundabout and is something I keep a wary eye on when navigating a roundabout.

So what is the left hand lane of a 2 lane roundabout for???  :D

I was in the Trafico office in Puerto today (for 2 hours in the sweltering heat, but that is another story) and while I was waiting I tried to make sense of a poster they had on display regarding the approved way of negotiating roundabouts. It left me even more confused. There were so many cars on the diagram of the roundabout, all different colours, all with little arrows on them, and then a chart below with ticks and crosses against the various colours. I think the answer is; if you have a blue or green car you can do as you please at a roundabout. If your car is orange or pink then whatever you do is wrong! If your car is another colour chose a route without roundabouts 'cos I don't think you are allowed to even attempt them!  ;D

Brilliant Tamara... sums it up nicely!!!

Excellent Tamara! :D  I saw that poster a couple of weeks ago ::).

Fantastic Tamara  :D :D :D :D :D :D


One thing that bothers me is the climbing lanes, they are the opposite to climbing lanes in Ireland, UK,  and most other EU countries.

Generally you overtake in the fast outer lane, but in Fuerte, the speed for overtaking is indicated on the inner lane  :o

Any comments or have I got it wrong ?. ??? ??? ???

Very funny Tamara. :)

Quote from: Can the Man on August 15, 2013, 14:23:26 PM
Fantastic Tamara  :D :D :D :D :D :D


One thing that bothers me is the climbing lanes, they are the opposite to climbing lanes in Ireland, UK,  and most other EU countries.

Generally you overtake in the fast outer lane, but in Fuerte, the speed for overtaking is indicated on the inner lane  :o

Any comments or have I got it wrong ?. ??? ??? ???

Exactly the same as in the UK, ie slower traffic keep to the nearside (right), overtaking traffic in the offside lane (left).
The speed limit signs are general speed limit signs NOT a sign for a particular lane

What I see that is confusing is indicators whilst overtaking and on roundabouts, speed limits in unrestricted areas and road works - which seem to be vaguely signed.

Globetrotter, On Fuerte the speed signs at the climbing Lanes indicate 2 speeds the faster for the inner lane rather than the outer overtaking lane, and when you get to the merge back to single lane the outer lane remains and the inner (faster) lane merges left to the outer slower lane.

The way I understand the speed signs on the crawler lanes is that if you are incapable of exceeding the posted speed, you must remain in the 'slow' lane. Is that wrong?

Also, at the end of the lane the slow traffic has to give way to the fast, which seems to be bizarre.

Quote from: RVEEE on August 15, 2013, 21:14:33 PM
The way I understand the speed signs on the crawler lanes is that if you are incapable of exceeding the posted speed, you must remain in the 'slow' lane. Is that wrong?

Also, at the end of the lane the slow traffic has to give way to the fast, which seems to be bizarre.

I think you have it wrong way round Rveee

My understanding is the speed signs are max speed per lane, and the max is in line with the normal speed for the road 70 kph for example and 50kph in slow lane

It would appear also for merging lanes that fast give way to slow.

I've seen that roundabout poster and spent time trying to figure it out.


I tried to find it but failed. I did find this though from this page:
http://carris.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/como-cruzar-una-rotonda-al-borde-del-ataque-de-nervios/ (http://carris.wordpress.com/2011/06/12/como-cruzar-una-rotonda-al-borde-del-ataque-de-nervios/)
1
(http://carris.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/rotonda.gif)

....and from this page which admits that people don't know how to use them:
http://www.autoescuelaconde.com/glorietas.htm (http://www.autoescuelaconde.com/glorietas.htm)

2a
Correcto - Vehiculo Rojo cede el paso al Azul   
(http://www.autoescuelaconde.com/imagenes/correcto7_bis.gif)
2b
Incorrecto -  Vehiculo azul cede el paso al Rojo
(http://www.autoescuelaconde.com/imagenes/azul_incorrecto.gif)

I'm more confused than ever.

Another
http://www.enbicipormadrid.es/2010/10/como-circular-en-una-glorieta-o-rotonda.html (http://www.enbicipormadrid.es/2010/10/como-circular-en-una-glorieta-o-rotonda.html)
3
(http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/9554/glorieta.jpg)

and
4
(http://www.antena3.com/clipping/2012/08/09/00329/31.jpg)

Finally ! One I understand and agree with!
http://customercar.wordpress.com/2011/07/05/como-circular-en-glorietas/ (http://customercar.wordpress.com/2011/07/05/como-circular-en-glorietas/)

This is the clearest of them all but doesn't say who has right of way:
5
(http://customercar.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/glorieta_2x2_trayectorias1.jpg?w=640)

fifi - I didn't intend to clutter your thread - tell me which to delete and I will.

edit - I've numbered them to make discussion easier. To see them full size Rightclick them and open the image in a new tab or window

According to 2 and 3 the inner lane must cede to the outer lane - I must admit thinking it was the other way round.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2394424/Woman-accused-mowing-pedestrian-reversing-blames-FLIP-FLOPS.htm (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2394424/Woman-accused-mowing-pedestrian-reversing-blames-FLIP-FLOPS.htm)

Im studying them here Biggles. They are great. Thanks.  My position on roundabouts always failed me on driving tests but I got lucky this year after 23 years on the road and passed. They all look so different. How do we know which one is right? :D

I always drive in my bare feet. I know I shouldnt but I do. Flip flops would be worse than bare feet I think Woe.

Fifi, The law is, you have to wear shoes that cover your feet, or be fined  :o

I have just sent an e-mail to my car hire company for our sorte over soon, to check if this car will have all the stuff that the law requires. Like 2 warning triangles, 2 Hi Viz jackets, spare wheel etc.

It'll be interesting to see what they come back with  ???

I post their reply if its interesting!

Hot of the Press!

Reply:
Hello,

your booking is properly confirmed. We will meet you at the airport on 31.08.2013
in the car will be 1 reflecting jacket and triangles
We have no logbook information.

Regards,

Mari Blanco

I thought it was 2 Hi Viz Jackets?

Quote from: KWC54 on August 16, 2013, 13:17:11 PM
I have just sent an e-mail to my car hire company for our sorte over soon, to check if this car will have all the stuff that the law requires. Like 2 warning triangles, 2 Hi Viz jackets, spare wheel etc.

It'll be interesting to see what they come back with  ???

I post their reply if its interesting!

Hot of the Press!

Reply:
Hello,

your booking is properly confirmed. We will meet you at the airport on 31.08.2013
in the car will be 1 reflecting jacket and triangles
We have no logbook information.

Regards,

Mari Blanco

I thought it was 2 Hi Viz Jackets?

Only if the 2nd person wants to get out of the car then Kenny  :D

Quote from: woe10 on August 16, 2013, 12:19:52 PM
Fifi, The law is, you have to wear shoes that cover your feet, or be fined  :o

I know, im very bold Woe, its just a bad habit  that I got into because the pedals are all so close together in my car and it makes it easier to drive.  If I wear runners they make my feet  too wide. They dont usually check for those kind of things in Ireland but it is still against the rules.

I thought you had to have a jacket for every passenger in Fuerte.

I haven't driven in the UK for the last 20 years or so, so I can't remember what the Highway Code says. What seems to work in the other countries (Holland, France, here) is a few very simple rules:

• indicate so others know what your intentions are
• only leave a roundabout from the inside lane (that's the furthest to the right over here - hope I've got the right word there)
• don't cut across another car's path - applies if you want to cross into the outside lane 'cos you're going to take the last exit, and when you get close to your exit and need the inside lane: you're the one doing the manoeuvre so you're the one who's responsible for making sure it can be done safely.

Please remember the first rule of driving in Spain
You always give way to anything bigger than your vehicle
no matter what the circumstances :o

Quote from: nacnud on August 16, 2013, 14:42:58 PM
Please remember the first rule of driving in Spain
You always give way to anything bigger than your vehicle
no matter what the circumstances :o

My Number One Rule is: Treat all Spanish drivers as complete idiots  :-X 

Quote from: woe10 on August 16, 2013, 15:58:47 PM

Quote from: nacnud on August 16, 2013, 14:42:58 PM
Please remember the first rule of driving in Spain
You always give way to anything bigger than your vehicle
no matter what the circumstances :o

My Number One Rule is: Treat all Spanish drivers as complete idiots  :-X

My number one rule "always expect a bigger eejit than yourself coming around that corner". Its worked for the last 42 years.   

Quote from: woe10 on August 16, 2013, 15:58:47 PM

Quote from: nacnud on August 16, 2013, 14:42:58 PM
Please remember the first rule of driving in Spain
You always give way to anything bigger than your vehicle
no matter what the circumstances :o

My Number One Rule is: Treat all Spanish drivers as complete idiots  :-X

You obviously havn't driven in the UK for a while Woe.  :D

Sheesh !!
Thank goodness there aren't any 3 lane roundabouts on this island then !

Quote from: woe10 on August 16, 2013, 12:19:52 PM
Fifi, The law is, you have to wear shoes that cover your feet, or be fined  :o

The same in the UK, I was once sternly told off by a police lady for driving without my shoes on, even though I knew her.

(http://www.smileyvault.com/albums/stock/smiley-fighting0056.gif) (http://www.smileyvault.com/)

Quote from: Can the Man on August 15, 2013, 22:30:19 PM

Quote from: RVEEE on August 15, 2013, 21:14:33 PM
The way I understand the speed signs on the crawler lanes is that if you are incapable of exceeding the posted speed, you must remain in the 'slow' lane. Is that wrong?

Also, at the end of the lane the slow traffic has to give way to the fast, which seems to be bizarre.

I think you have it wrong way round Rveee

My understanding is the speed signs are max speed per lane, and the max is in line with the normal speed for the road 70 kph for example and 50kph in slow lane

It would appear also for merging lanes that fast give way to slow.

But the signs are blue.

The European standard is that round red circles are prohibitory, so would create an offence of exceeding that speed (or for example prevent you from turning right), blue signs are compulsory so you must drive at least that speed (or must turn right at a junction).

The UK adopted these protocols when we joined the Common Market.

I find the best way to approach a roundabout is to drive a Snowplough , you have to use both lanes ! . Been looking on all car hire sites still not found a snowplough yet not giving up though.