When visiting or moving to another country it’s important to check out some rules, laws and regulations, so that you don’t get caught out unaware of something that would be unheard of back home. Contact a fiscal representative Spain – a Spanish “gestor” – for more detailed information and to find out about the necessary N.I.E. application Spain. It’s also a good idea to be prepared and familiarise yourself with the ways that driving conventions may differ from those of your home country, so that you can ensure a smoother ride through the rocky mountains and along the scenic coastline.
Licenses
While in the past EU citizens were able to use their driving licenses in Spain, now non-Spanish residents in Spain, who have completed the mandatory N.I.E. application Spain process are also required to obtain Spanish licenses via a fiscal representative Spain (in Spain this falls into the task area of the so called “gestor”). The reason for this is that Spain has extra laws regarding checking the health and ability of drivers over a certain age. In other EU countries such as Germany and the UK, this is not the case.
After the N.I.E. application Spain process has been completed and residency has been granted foreigners from EU member states are allowed to drive in Spain for a period of two years, and six months for foreigners from outside of the EU. After this they will be required to obtain a Spanish license under the new laws and for this they will need a fiscal representative Spain (in Spain this falls into the task area of the so called “gestor”).
Driving Laws
In Spain, some of the most important laws to remember when driving are as follows:
- Drivers must be at least 18
- Speed limits are 90km/h on ordinary roads and 120km/hr on highways
- All passengers must wear seatbelts
- The front seat cannot be occupied by children under the age of 12
- Drivers that wear glasses must keep a spare pair in the car with them
Another thing to remember is that drink driving laws are more strictly adhered to than in many other countries and the minimum blood-alcohol levels acceptable are even lower. So that’s just another reason to leave the car at home and order a taxi if you might be having a drink or two.
In recent years, the government has been tightening up on traffic offences, and there are now a lot more speed cameras on highways. Also, the Guardia Civil have the power to issue on-the-spot fines which they are more likely to do in the case of foreigners. This usually works out better for the offender because fines paid immediately are lower than those paid within a 20-day period.
Driving Conventions
It’s important not to forget that in different parts of the world, people all drive slightly differently and therefore don´t know what to expect from other drivers on the road. So when you visit another part of the world, it is necessary to be more cautious until you are more acclimatised.
Although many drivers in Spain stick to the rules and drive respectfully, it is a good idea to be wary of bad habits in other drivers such as those that jump red lights or fail to use indicators. It is also said that people in Spain drive quite aggressively, when compared with other countries, so it is best to be prepared for this and drive with patience.