Driving in Spain: Complete Guide for Visitors (2026)
This guide explains everything you need to know when driving or renting a car in Spain: documents, road rules, insurance, roundabouts, parking zones, speed cameras, mountain driving, crossing borders and more. Written in clear English, easy to follow.
Quick Summary
- •Drive on the right side of the road
- •You must have your license + passport + rental contract in the car
- •Reflective vest & warning triangle mandatory by law (comes with rental)
- •Proper footwear required – barefoot/sandals/flip-flops is illegal
- •Speed cameras are everywhere (fines are automatic)
- •Parking colors: White = free, Blue = paid, Yellow = no parking
- •At roundabouts, inside lane has priority (this is different than the UK!)
1. Required Documents
- •Your valid driving license
- •Your passport (or EU ID card)
- •Your rental agreement (digital is fine)
- •Insurance coverage document
- •Reflective safety vest + warning triangle (mandatory by law – comes with the rental car)
- •Proper footwear required – driving barefoot or in sandals/flip-flops is illegal in Spain
International Driving Permit?
If your license is from:
- •EU/EEA/UK → No extra permit required
- •USA / Canada / Australia / others → Some police officers may request an IDP
2. Speed Limits in Spain
| Area Type | Limit |
|---|---|
| City and towns | 30 km/h |
| Single carriageway / rural roads | 90 km/h |
| Dual carriageway | 100 km/h |
| Motorways (Autopista/Autovía) | 120 km/h |
Speed cameras are frequent and fines are automatic → rental company charges your card.
3. Roundabouts (Important!)
This is where most tourists get fined or cause accidents.
- •Inside lane has priority.
- •If you are exiting soon, stay in the outer lane.
- •Do not cut across lanes suddenly → this causes most collisions in Marbella.
4. Parking Rules & Colors
- •White lines → Free parking
- •Blue lines → Pay at machine or via app (EasyPark works in Marbella)
- •Yellow curb → No parking ever
- •Red/White curb → Loading / emergency access
See our detailed parking maps:
5. Fuel & Electric Charging
- •Gasolina 95 (E5): Standard petrol
- •Gasolina 98 (E5): Higher performance
- •Gasóleo A: Diesel
Live Fuel Prices in Marbella →
EV Charging
Apps to use:
- •Repsol Waylet
- •Ionity
- •Electromaps
6. Tolls
Most tolls in Andalusia are now removed, but your navigation will notify if one applies.
7. Fines & Police Checks
- •Police may request documents anytime
- •Do not argue – fines are processed automatically
- •Using mobile phone while driving = expensive fine
- •Driving barefoot or in sandals/flip-flops is illegal – you can be fined on the spot
- •Reflective vest & warning triangle are mandatory – must be kept in the car at all times
8. Insurance Explained (Simple)
| Term | Meaning | What You Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Basic / CDW | Damage coverage with excess | You pay deposit if damage |
| Full / Super CDW | No damage cost | No deposit |
If you don't want stress → choose Full insurance, zero excess.
9. Deposits & Credit Cards
Most rental companies place a hold on your card (300–1500€ depending on car class).
If you take full insurance → the hold is usually much smaller.
10. Driving to Gibraltar
- •You may drive there with most rentals, but you must tell the rental company first
- •Border queues vary from 5 minutes to 2 hours depending on day/time
- •Best option: Park in La Línea and walk across
11. Mountain & Coast Roads
If driving to Ronda, Granada or Sierra Nevada:
- •Use low gears on descents (don't burn brakes)
- •Watch for cyclists – common on mountain curves
- •Gas stations are less frequent → fuel before leaving Marbella
12. Night Driving
Street lighting outside towns is limited. Pay attention to animals and scooters with poor lights.