Driving in Spain.

Contrary to what you may see on the roads in Spain, driving here is NOT:
1. Just like the UK but on the other side,
2. A free-for-all with no rules, or rules to be ignored if you're local.

The Guardia Civil and police can and do enforce traffic regulations, and can really spoil your holiday.

Inspired by Brian Deller's excellent "Motoring in Spain", this site tells you what the traffic laws are in Spain. Unlike the UK Highway Code, they are not guidelines, they are fixed... and to be obeyed.

Most Spanish road traffic law is contained in the LSV (Ley de Seguridad Vial), on which is based the RGC (Reglamentación General de Circulación) which also has the force of law. Allied to this is the RGV (Reglamentación General de Vehículos) which covers construction and use of motor vehicles.

This site is still under construction and will be quite large (over 170 articles for the RGC alone). The best place to start is the RGC index and the glossary. The RGV, and LSV will be added later when translation has been checked.

Friday 1 June 2007

Emissions, noise and polluting agents.

Article 7. Emissions, noise and polluting agents.
1. Vehicles are prohibited to emit electromagnetic disturbances, noise, gases or smoke exceeding the established limits. All drivers of vehicles are required to collaborate in the detection tests that allow checking of possible indicated deficiencies.
2. Motor vehicles and mopeds with so-called “open pipes” are prohibited, i.e. without the mandatory silencer. Vehicles must not be driven with defective, inadequate or incomplete exhaust systems, or if they expel unburnt fuel or produce excessive smoke. Traffic officers can immobilize vehicles in the above cases (LST Art 70,2).
3. Emissions under section 1 are also prohibited by motor vehicles over the established limits in the RGV regulating rules of the vehicles.
4. Emissions other than those produced by the vehicle are also prohibited, of whatever nature, over the limits established. In particular sweepings, rubbish and refuse on the road or roadside, and anywhere else when danger exists that smoke produced by their incineration or burning can reach the highway.

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