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.

Thursday 12 July 2007

CHANGING ROAD, CARRIAGEWAY AND LANE

Article 74. General rules.
1. Drivers intending to turn right or left to use a different road from that on which they are travelling, or to change lane on the same road or in order to leave the road must previously so indicate and with enough warning to drivers of vehicles travelling behind and must also check that the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles allows them to carry out the maneuver without danger, refraining from doing so if these conditions are not met. They must refrain from making left turns if sufficient visibility does not exist (LST Art 28,1).
2. Maneuvers involving a sideways move, implying a lane change must respect the priority existing in the lane that is intended to occupy (LST Article 28,2).
3. Infractions of this Article are considered serious offences (LST Art 65.4.c).

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