CHEAP CAR HIRE IN SPAINSpain is well known as a popular holiday destination for its sun, sea and sangria. Away from the crowded south of Spain there is magnificent scenery, a culture steeped in history, just perfect for the car hire holiday. The car hire companies are well placed to offer a car suited to the amount of travelling and the intended terrain. A car hire holiday is about relaxed motoring and prior knowledge of the driving laws and conditions will ensure this. Leave the crowded coastal strip behind and Spain is a wonderful country to explore by hire car. roads are generally well maintained and free of traffic, and Spain has a fine autopista (motorway) network, much of which is toll-free. A bail bond is no longer required when taking your car to Spain. Travel Documents Required
A current valid passport. A full UK driving license together with the vehicle registration document and certificate of motor insurance should be carried at all times. If you don't have the new style photo-license then your passport should also be carried on all journeys. You also need written authorisation from the car hire company permitting you to drive the vehicle.
Turning Left in Spain
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DRIVING CONDITIONS IN SPAINAlthough the main routes in Spain are good there are still poor road conditions in some local areas. Some of the Motorways have toll charges, which can be expensive in the summer months, but they tend to be less crowded than other non-toll roads. Traffic lights in Spain are called ‘semaforas' and usually placed at the stop line. Give way to traffic from the left, and if turning left don't pull in to the middle of the road where there is an unbroken line. Petrol grades and supplies are much the same as in the UK. Although cards are accepted for payment, away from the major routes cash will be needed for automatic pumps if requiring petrol out-of-hours, which includes the Mid-Day to 3pm period. Spain can be hot, so when choosing your hire car think about air conditioning. Contacts Police There are police stations in most towns and cities where help can be readily obtained. In an emergency the police contact number is 091 British Embassy in Spain British Consulate-General
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DRIVING LAWS IN SPAINDrive on the right hand side of the road. If you've stopped on the left-hand side of the road, say, at a café or service station, then particular care should be taken when setting off again to drive in the right-hand lane. Speed limits are enforced vigorously in Spain and there are many radar speed traps. At the time of writing the speed limits are as follows: Motorway (Autopista) 120Km/h. Dual Carriageway (Autovia) Variable 80Km/h to 140Km/h as signed. Country Roads 80Km/h to 100 Km/h as signed. Town Roads 50Km/h. Fines for speeding are issued on-the-spot. Parking restrictions are to be obeyed, whatever the locals might do, and you run the risk of the hire car being towed away and heavy fines for non-compliance. Restricted areas are marked by ‘No Parking' signs or the pavement edge is painted yellow. Indicators should be used at all times, laws are being strictly enforced, especially on the motorways where you should indicate to overtake and before returning to your original lane. When joining a motorway you must not cross the solid white dividing line but join across the broken line. Lighting. In gloomy daytime conditions dipped headlights must be used. The car hire company should ensure a full set of replacement bulbs is carried in the car and also any tools needed to change them. Breakdowns: Two warning triangles and a reflective vest should be provided with the car and these must be used where necessary. If it is necessary to get out of the vehicle on the highway it is compulsory to wear the high visibility vest which must be kept in the main body of the car so that it can be put on before getting out. This does not apply to town or city roads. Seat belts must be worn in front and rear seats. If you have any passengers under the age of 12, they are not allowed to travel in the front passenger seat. If spectacles are needed for driving, a spare pair must be carried in the car. Mobile telephones (other than true hands-free types) and navigation devices are not allowed to be used while driving or even while you are stopped where there is any traffic. Any DVD player or screen must be ‘hidden' from the driver. Drink-drive laws are severe in Spain and the limit is less than in the UK. Don't drink and drive – the penalties are very severe. Although it is not a legal requirement to carry a first aid kit, it is advisable. Facts and figures Some of this information is constantly changing and should be taken as a guide only. It is correct at the time of writing – 07 May 2006 Exchange rate: £1 = 0.6843 Euros Click here for cheap car hire in Spain |
