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

DIRECTION OF TRAVEL

Article 29. General rule.
1. As a general rule, and particularly on bends and gradients with reduced visibility, on all roads subject to the RGC vehicles will drive on the right hand side and as close as possible to the edge of the road, maintaining lateral separation sufficient to ensure passing with safety (LST Art 13). Even though signals may not exist to this effect, it is implied that on gradients and bends with reduced visibility all drivers, except when passing as stated in Article 88, must leave completely free that half of the road reserved for oncoming traffic.
2. Driving on the left, against oncoming traffic is a very serious offence, (LST Art 65.5.f)).
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