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

Special cases

Article 76. Special cases.
1. Exceptionally, if the dimensions of the vehicle or other circumstances do not allow a change of direction with strict observance of the arrangements in the previous Article, the driver must adopt the necessary precautions to avoid all danger when maneuvering.
2. On out of town roads, cycles and mopeds must move to the right if no left turn lane exists, off the road whenever possible, and to turn from that position.
3. Infractions of this Article are considered serious offences (LST Art 65.4.c).

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