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 13 July 2007

Municipal ordinances

Article 93. Municipal ordinances.
1. Stopping and parking on urban roads is regulated by municipal ordinance, the necessary measures may be adopted to avoid obstruction of traffic, including time limitations on parking, as well as the necessary means, including the removal of a vehicle or its immobilization when it is illegally parked until the the driver can be identified (LST Art 38,4).
2. Municipal ordinances cannot contradict, alter, weaken or produce confusion with the rules of this regulation.

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