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.

Wednesday 27 June 2007

Loading and unloading operations.

Article 16. Loading and unloading operations.
Loading or unloading operations must be done off the road. Exceptionally, when unavoidable, they must be done without causing either serious danger or disturbance to other users and considering the following rules:
a) Restrictions on stopping and parking will be respected, including those in town set by the municipal authorities.
b) Loading/unloading will if possible be done from the side of the vehicle facing away from the road.
c) Will be carried out with means sufficient to minimise delay and avoid noise and unnecessary annoyance. The load must not be left in the road, roadside or pedestrian areas.
d) Loading and unloading of annoying, injurious, unhealthy or dangerous goods, as well as those that involve special handling or packaging, will be governed in addition by the relevant specific regulations.

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