Tips for Driving in Spain

Spain is one of the world's most popular destinations with numerous attractions spread across both city centers and the beautiful countryside. Get familiar with local rules, signs, and types of rental cars available before you embark on your journey.

Speed Limits

Motorways: 120 km/h

Dual carriageways: 120 km/h

Main roads: 90 km/h

Built up areas: 50 km/h

112 is the European emergency number

Park Smart

Pay close attention to signs, as parking could be permitted only on one side of the street.
No parking on streets with yellow kerbs.
Parking spaces marked with blue/green lines require tickets purchased from machines or attendants.
Please check the parking hours in each area. Usual paid parking hours are weekdays: 9 am - 9 pm and Saturdays: 9 am - 3 pm

Toll Roads in Spain

Spanish motorways with names beginning with “AP” (autopistas) are toll roads.

Make sure you have enough money or a credit card on hand when driving on toll roads.
Toll roads will add cost to your journey, but you will arrive to your destination quicker.
You may choose to use free roads instead if you are exploring more casually, to avoid bypassing more picturesque landscape for the sake of time.

Dos

Give priority to traffic coming from the right. As a general rule, give priority to traffic on the right where no priority sign is posted.
Buckle up. Seatbelts are compulsory in front and rear seats.
Always use turn signals. The use of turn signals is strictly enforced by police when entering or changing lanes on the motorway or any other road.
Drive on the right hand side. In Spain you drive on the right, even in the British territory of Gibraltar.
Give priority to traffic and cyclists on roundabouts. Drivers already engaged in a roundabout have priority over drivers entering a roundabout. Cyclists have priority on roundabouts from any direction.

Don'ts

Drink and drive. The legal limit for fully licensed drivers is 0.05mg/ml in Spain compared to 0.08mg/ml in the UK.
Use a horn in built-up areas or at night. You are not allowed to sound a horn at night in urban areas. Horns should only be used in an emergency.
Use speed camera detection on a sat nav. It is illegal to use sat navs to detect fixed cameras in every European nation except the UK and Hungary.
Use your mobile phone. It is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving, even if you have pulled over to the side of the road. Using an earpiece is also prohibited. Only completely hands-free units are acceptable.
Assume your rental car uses petrol. Always make sure to use the correct fuel – even the smallest cars in Spain may require diesel.

RENTING IN SPAIN

Car Rental Locations

You’ll find an Enterprise Rent-A-Car location perfect for your adventure.

Airport: Begin the trip as soon as you arrive. Airports are usually located near major roadways that will allow you to get on the road quickly.
Neighborhood: Great for day trips or to begin your journey after a visit to a major city.
Train Station: Rent at a train station to explore a region further.

Legal Requirements for Driving in Spain

Minimum age to rent a vehicle is 21. The minimum age can be 25 for certain types of vehicles.
Valid driving licence, identity card, and/or passport. Additional proofs of address could be requested.

Automatic and Manual Transmissions

Many cars in Spain are manual transmission. When booking your rental car, you should specify either manual or automatic.

LOYALTY CLUB INFORMATION

Enterprise Plus

Include the Enterprise Plus number at the time of reservation to earn points on qualifying rentals in Europe. Members can redeem points for free rental days at thousands of participating Enterprise® locations worldwide.

Emerald Club

Emerald Club® makes the car rental experience faster with Priority Service. Include the Emerald Club member number at the time of reservation to earn credits toward free days on qualifying rentals.

Considering Taking A Road Trip To Another Country?

Check out all of our Driving Guides and learn the rules of the road for: