BRINGING YOUR CAR TO SPAIN

Before you have arrived in Spain you should have already made provisions for driving in Spain to comply with Spanish law. You can prepare all of this in your home country before your journey starts.

You need to ensure that your vehicle is fully insured, taxed with an MOT certificate. You will need your driving license and European registration plates fitted. If you have an older car then displaying a GB sticker is fine. Your headlights must be pointing to the kerb on the right (the opposite to the UK) so you will have to fit deflectors. You will also need a complete breakdown kit as outlined below. This must be with the vehicle at all times.

International Breakdown Kit 2 X Red breakdown triangle. These must be placed 100 feet in front of your car during breakdown. 2 X Fluorescent vests: Worn by the driver and passenger when breakdown occurs. Set of spare lamp bulbs: These are replacements for your headlights and side lights. You will also need the tools to change them. Optional Extras: Flashlight, Battery Cables, Spare Fuses, cleaning cloths for the windscreen.

Ensure that you are covered for breakdowns while in Spain. If you are travelling through France into Spain then you need to be covered. Just inform your breakdown Company of your specific route and make a note of the emergency telephone numbers.

It's advisable to bring your mobile phone in case you have to call the breakdown Company. Although there are emergency telephones by the roadside on all the main highways you may have problems in more remote places. Not all of the smaller petrol stations have public telephones.

If you road tax, insurance or MOT certificate expires during the six-month period then you cannot drive your car because it is illegal. You cannot get foreign MOT or tax certificates in Spain. Ensure that your car is legal in Spain before you leave.

Some Useful Spanish Highway Code Information:
Always give way to cars coming from the left, especially on slip roads joining the highway and of course roundabouts.

Do not drink and drive. The Spanish take this very seriously. It really is not worth the risk, just get a taxi.

Do not cross over a solid line in middle of the road to turn left, this is illegal and many drivers have been fined on the spot. You need to continue to the next roundabout to come back or turn right to find a road that leads back to a roundabout you may have passed.

If a person holds up their hand or steps onto a zebra crossing you must stop to let them cross.

Do not park where the kerb is painted yellow or blue. If you are unsure if the parking place is legal I would suggest you park in an official car park where their is security.

The Spanish police do not provide parking tickets. If you park illegally your car will be towed away. The cost is around 80-Euros to get your car back.