Spain is an excellent country for a road trip: mostly sunny, with wide motorways, dramatic landscapes and a well-maintained secondary road network that gets you into village Spain no other transport can reach. The rules are largely familiar to European drivers, but there are some Spanish specifics — on tolls, on what you must carry, and on urban emission zones — that are worth knowing before you cross the border or land at the airport.
Documents and what to carry
All drivers need a valid driving licence, vehicle registration document and proof of insurance. An EU/EEA licence is accepted as-is. Non-EU drivers should check whether an International Driving Permit is required for their nationality — it generally is for those from outside the EEA.
Spanish law requires you to carry in the vehicle:
- Two warning triangles (one for in front of the vehicle, one behind — Spain is one of the few countries to require two)
- Two high-visibility safety vests — one for every person who exits the vehicle on the roadside
- A spare tyre or tyre repair kit
- Spare bulbs (recommended, though enforcement has reduced)
Headlamp beam deflectors are required if you are driving a right-hand-drive vehicle.
Two triangles: Spain requires two warning triangles, not one. Many hire cars do not include them — check your car at the desk and request them if missing.
Speed limits
- Motorways and dual carriageways (autopistas/autovías): 120 km/h
- Conventional roads: 90 km/h (single carriageway outside towns)
- Urban areas: 50 km/h, 30 km/h in residential streets, 20 km/h in shared-space zones
Speed cameras are common on main roads. The DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) enforces a points-based penalty system on Spanish licences; foreign drivers receive fines and, in serious cases, can face vehicle immobilisation at the roadside. Fines for significant speed limit violations are collected on the spot from non-residents.
Tolls and toll-free alternatives
Spain's toll network has changed significantly in recent years. Most of the former SCUT-style toll roads in Catalonia and other regions have reverted to toll-free after concession periods ended, so large parts of the network — particularly the radial motorways out of Madrid — are now free. However, major routes including parts of the AP-7 (the Mediterranean coast road from France to Alicante) and the AP-2 remain tolled.
Tolls can be paid by cash or card at staffed and automated booths, or by VIA-T transponder in the fast lanes. If you are driving from France, be aware that the French and Spanish systems are separate and a French Liber-t transponder may not work on Spanish roads.
Free alternatives often exist but are slower — the N-340 coast road, for example, is scenic and free but much slower than the AP-7. Apps such as ViaMichelin let you choose toll or toll-free routing. See our guide to motorway tolls for more.
Low-emission zones (ZBE)
Spain's largest cities have introduced Zonas de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE), covering the centres of Madrid (Madrid Central / Zona ZBE), Barcelona (Zona de Baixes Emissions) and a growing number of smaller cities. Restrictions apply based on the vehicle's DGT environmental badge (a sticker system similar to France's Crit'Air), awarded by emission category.
Foreign-registered vehicles are subject to the same rules. You cannot obtain a Spanish DGT badge as a foreign driver — instead, you must check whether your vehicle would qualify and either drive in only during permitted hours or use park-and-ride. Rules are still evolving, so check with each city before visiting. Our European low-emission zone guide has more detail.
Rules of the road
Spain drives on the right. Key rules:
- Alcohol limit: 0.5 g/l BAC for most drivers; 0.3 g/l for those with fewer than two years of licence-holding and professional drivers
- Mobile phones: Handheld use is illegal. Using a mobile phone, even at a standstill, is a serious offence and subject to a significant fine and points deduction.
- Overtaking on motorways: Driving in the middle or left lane when the right lane is free is illegal and actively enforced by cameras on some stretches.
- Glasses: If your licence is marked as requiring corrective lenses, you must carry a spare pair in the vehicle.
- Children: Under 135 cm must use an appropriate child seat regardless of age; they must sit in the back seat unless there is no rear seat available.
Fuel and electric charging
Petrol (gasolina), diesel (gasóleo) and LPG (autogas) are all widely available. Spanish fuel is generally slightly cheaper than France or Germany. Supermarket petrol stations (Carrefour, Repsol, Cepsa) are usually the cheapest. Motorway service stations are more expensive.
EV charging is expanding rapidly; major brands such as Ionity, Endesa and Iberdrola operate fast-charger networks. Coverage in rural areas, particularly inland, is still sparser than along the main corridors.
Parking
Spanish cities use colour-coded kerb markings: blue lines are pay-and-display (usually by SMS/app or ticket machine), yellow lines indicate no parking, and green lines in some cities are for residents only. ORA (Ordenació de la Regulació de l'Aparcament) zones in Barcelona and similar systems in other cities can be confusing — look for signs indicating times and tariffs.
Parking in front of a dropped kerb (vado permanente, marked with a yellow-and-black sign) will result in a fine and likely towing. Underground car parks in city centres are reasonably priced and the easiest option for visitors.
Driving in the islands
The Canary Islands and Balearic Islands use the same driving rules as mainland Spain, but vehicles must be transported there by ferry. On Tenerife and Gran Canaria, many car hire companies offer one-way rentals between islands only if you return the car first — check carefully. Roads on Tenerife include mountain roads at significant altitude which may be affected by mist even in summer.
Hiring a car in Spain
Spain is one of Europe's most competitive car-hire markets, especially at airports in the Canaries and Balearics. However, watch for add-on charges: full insurance excess cover, fuel pre-purchase and additional driver fees can roughly double the advertised rate. See our guide to renting a car abroad for what to check before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a vignette to drive in Spain?
No. Spain does not use a vignette system. Motorway tolls are paid individually at booths on the roads that are still tolled. Many previously tolled roads in Spain have become free in recent years.
Why does Spain require two warning triangles?
Spanish law requires one triangle to be placed in front of and one behind a broken-down or stopped vehicle on the road. Most European countries require only one. Always check your hire car has two before leaving the rental lot.
Can I drive in Madrid or Barcelona city centre?
Restrictions apply in both cities. Madrid Centro and Barcelona's ZBE zone limit access based on a vehicle's emission category. Foreign vehicles without a Spanish DGT badge should check operating hours and restrictions before driving in. Using park-and-ride or public transport into city centres is often the practical alternative.
What is the alcohol limit for driving in Spain?
The general limit is 0.5 g/l BAC. For drivers who have held a licence for fewer than two years, or professional drivers, the limit is 0.3 g/l. Police conduct random breathalyser checks, including during routine stops on motorways.
Sources and further reading:
- Official traffic rules and DGT badge information: DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico), dgt.es
- Entry and driving requirements for your nationality: European Commission and your own government's travel advice
- Toll information and route planning: ViaMichelin, Autopistas.es
- Low-emission zone rules: ZBE Madrid, AMB Barcelona