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

Maximum speed limits on roads outside town

Article 48. Maximum speed limits on roads outside town.
1. The Maximum speed limits that must not be exceeded, except where stated in Article 51, are as follows:
a. Automobiles:
i. On autopistas and autovías: cars and motorcycles, 120 kph; buses, vehicles derived from cars and adaptable mixed vehicles, 100 kph; trucks, articulated vehicles, road trains, vans, autocaravans and automobiles with trailers of up to 750 kg, 90 kph; remaining automobiles with trailers, 80 kph.
ii. On conventional highways with a paved hard shoulder 1.50m or more wide, or more than one lane in each direction: cars and motorcycles, 100 kph; buses, vehicles derived from cars and adaptable mixed vehicles, 90 kph; articulated trucks, tractor units, vans, autocaravans, vehicles and automobiles with trailers, 80 kph.
iii. On all other roads outside town: motorcycles, quadricycles, three-wheeled vehicles and automobiles, 90 kph; buses, vehicles derived from cars and adaptable mixed vehicles, 80 kph; articulated trucks, tractor units, autocaravans, vans, vehicles and automobiles with trailers, 70 kph.
iv. On any type of road where they are allowed: three-wheeled vehicles and quadricycles, 70 kph.
b. Vehicles for school or child transport duty or transport dangerous goods, the maximum speed in paragraph a) is reduced by 10 kph based on the type of vehicle and road. Buses carrying foot passengers outside urban areas are limited to 80 kph regardless of the type of road.
c. Special vehicles and their combinations:
i. Without brake lights, towing or cultivators: 25 kph.
ii. Remaining special vehicles: 40 kph, except where capable of more than 60 kph on level ground, and fulfill the conditions indicated in the RGV; in such case, the maximum speed will be 70 kph.
d. Vehicles in the special transport regime, as indicated in Annex III.
e. Cycles, two- or three-wheeled mopeds and light quadricycles: 45 kph. However, bicycles may exceed this maximum speed where the road characteristics allow.
f. Pedestrian controlled vehicles must not exceed walking pace, and animal drafted vehicles trotting speed.
g. Vehicles granted a special permission for testing or experimentation may exceed the speed limits set by 30 kph for tests, but only within the fixed itinerary and in no case on urban roads, travesías or where specific, signalled speed limits exist.
2. Infractions of this Article are serious or very serious offences, depending on the speed (LST Arts 65.4.c and 65.5.e).

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