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

DIVISION OF ROADS INTO CARRIAGEWAYS

Article 44. Use of carriageways.
1. On roads divided into two carriageways separated by a median strip, barriers or similar means vehicles must use right-hand carriageway.
2. On three-lane roads, the middle lane may be designated for traffic in either direction, or one-way only, either permanently or temporaryily, by means of corresponding signals, and barriers to traffic if one-way only. The competent authority may alter lane directions which will then have to be properly signed.
3. Travel against the stipulated flow is a very serious offence, even where refuges, islands or barriers are not used (LST Art 65.5.f).

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