Country driving guide

Driving rules in Spain

A practical summary of the main rules that may differ when you cross the border. The values below come from the official source linked on this page — the standardized Your Europe country page or the national law or authority.

Source-backed

Typical passenger-car speed limits

Built-up areas: 20 / 30 / 50 km/h
Outside built-up areas: 90 km/h
Motorways / expressways: 120 km/h

Urban limits depend on whether road and pavement share one level and whether there is one or multiple lanes in each direction.

Blood alcohol limits

Standard drivers: 0.5 mg/ml
Novice drivers: 0.3 mg/ml
Professional drivers: 0.3 mg/ml

Lights, winter rules and equipment

Daytime lights: Mandatory for motorcycles and in low visibility Mandatory for motorcycles; for other vehicles, mandatory only in reduced visibility.
Winter tyres / equipment: Not stated in the standardized source The source lists mandatory snow chains in heavy snow but does not state a passenger-car winter-tyre requirement.
Mandatory equipment: warning triangle, reflective vest, fire extinguisher The source allows an amber emergency warning light instead of two triangles and limits the fire-extinguisher requirement to buses and goods vehicles over 3.5 t.

Checks that depend on the route

Low-emission zones: Check the current national or local official source
Fines and enforcement: Check the current national or local official source
Emergency number: 112

This is a planning summary, not legal advice. Road signs and current national rules take priority. Always check the linked official source before departure.