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

Rules for cycles, mopeds and motorcycles.

Article 12. Rules for cycles, mopeds and motorcycles.
1. Bicycles that, by construction, cannot be occupied by more than one person may however transport, when the rider is of legal age, a child of up to seven years in an approved additional seat.
2. A passenger over 12 years old may ride on a moped or motorcycle in addition to the driver, subject to the vehicle’s Permiso de Circulación, when using an approved helmet and meeting the following conditions:
a) They sit astride and with their feet on the footrests.
b) They use the seat behind the driver. Under no circumstances may the passenger be between the rider and the controls.
3. Exceptionally, those over seven years old may ride on motorcycles or mopeds driven by their parent, tutor or by a person of legal age authorized by them, whenever they use an approved helmet and meet the conditions of section 2 (LST Art 11,4).
4. Motorcycles, three wheeled vehicles, mopeds, cycles and bicycles may tow a trailer, provided they do not exceed 50% of the unladen mass of the towing vehicle and the following conditions are met:
a) That the vehicle is driven only during daytime and in conditions of good visibility.
b) That the speed driven in these conditions is reduced by 10% with respect to the generic speeds for these vehicles laid down in Article 48.
c) Those in no case people occupy the trailer.
In town, driving will be in accordance with the corresponding local regulations.

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