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

Passenger seating.

Article 10. Passenger seating.
1. It is prohibited to transport people in parts of the vehicle not specifically designed or adapted for that purpose.
2. Despite the arrangements in section 1, in goods vehicles, people may travel in the load space, subject to conditions laid down in the appropriate regulations.
3. In vehicles authorized simultaneously to transport people and goods, passengers must be provided with protection from the load, so that it does not impede the occupants nor damage them in case of movement. This protection must be in accordance with the RGV.
4. Protection not installed in accordance with paragraph 3 is an offence (LST Art 67,2).

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