Renting a vehicle and driving in Spain: your ultimate guide for a Spanish getaway

If you’re thinking about taking your own car or renting a vehicle for your upcoming trip to Spain, keep reading to discover all the requirements and gather helpful tips for driving in the country.

Driving Requirements in Spain

Before embarking on your vacation or business trip to Spain, ensure you’ve reviewed all the rules and prerequisites for renting and operating a vehicle.

Necessary Documents for Driving in Spain

The minimum legal driving age in Spain is 18, and you must carry both an International Driving Permit (IDP) and your valid US driving license at all times.

Required Car Equipment

When renting a vehicle and driving in Spain, ensure your car is equipped with the following items:

• Warning triangle
• High-visibility vest
• Spare bulbs for headlights and turn signals
• Headlight beam deflectors

Car Rental in Spain

Continue reading to discover everything you need to know about renting a vehicle in Spain and gather valuable tips on what to watch out for.

What are the requirements to rent a car in Spain?

Although the minimum legal driving age in Spain is 18, most car rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old to be eligible for a rental. Besides meeting the age criteria, you will need a valid driver’s license and a passport. A credit card is necessary to cover the car rental deposit, although some agencies may accept debit cards. Additionally, third-party liability insurance is mandatory to rent a car in Spain.

Essential Tips for Renting a Car in Spain

When collecting your rental vehicle, be sure to thoroughly inspect it and document any pre-existing marks and scratches with notes or photos. Upon return, take clear pictures of both the interior and exterior as evidence of its condition when you bring it back.

If you lack your own third-party insurance policy, ensure that insurance is included in your rental agreement. If you already have third-party coverage, verify that you’re not paying for the same protection twice.

If you intend to cross borders into other countries, inform the rental agency in advance so they can provide the appropriate insurance for all your travel destinations. To prevent extra charges for a few additional miles, negotiate for unlimited mileage if possible.

If you're required to return the vehicle with a full tank, remember to check that it’s full when you pick it up. Upon returning the car, stop at the nearest gas station to refuel before heading back to the agency.

Driving regulations in Spain

Discover everything you need to know about driving in Spain and make the most of your holiday.

Legal driving age

In Spain, the minimum age to drive a car is 18, but you can operate mopeds from the age of 15 and 125cc motorcycles from 16. Additionally, rental car companies may impose their own age restrictions.

Traffic speed limits

In Spain, the speed limit for cars and motorcycles on regular roads within urban areas is 50 km/h (approximately 30 mph), while on motorways in busier regions, it typically rises to 80 km/h (around 50 mph).

Outside of urban settings, the speed limit on regular roads is 90 km/h (about 55 mph). On roads with multiple lanes in each direction, you may drive up to 100 km/h (approximately 60 mph). On motorways, the limit is set at 120 km/h (roughly 75 mph).

Toll roads and highways

Only 20% of Spain's highways require tolls, and they are not evenly spread across the country, with about half of these toll roads located in Catalonia.

Tolls can be settled either by cash or card. Typically, you’ll receive a ticket upon entering a toll road. When you exit, you'll go through another toll booth, where you can insert the ticket into an automated machine to calculate your fee.

Priority and roundabouts

A major distinction between driving in Spain and in many parts of the United States is the frequent use of roundabouts. Vehicles already within the roundabout have the right of way. You can only exit a roundabout from the outer lane.

When approaching a roundabout with multiple lanes, select your lane based on your intended exit, using the rightmost lane for the next exit and the left lane for the last exit.

Alcohol limits and driving under the influence

In Spain, the blood alcohol limit for cyclists and private vehicle drivers is set at 0.05%, which is lower than the 0.08% limit in the US. Certain cases impose an even stricter limit of 0.03% for drivers of vehicles designed to carry eight or more passengers, those transporting goods, vehicles for children, and public or emergency service vehicles.

Moreover, this lower limit also applies to (young) drivers who have held their driving license for less than two years.

Child car seat regulations

Children shorter than 4.5ft (or 135cm) are required to use an appropriate car seat for their size. Those over 4.5ft but under 12 years old may use standard seats.

Fines and penalties

You can receive an on-the-spot fine from a police officer in Spain. Payments can be made immediately or later at a post office or by mail. If you settle the fine within 20 days, you may qualify for a 50% reduction.

Payment options

In Spain, you can typically pay fines using cash in euros or with credit and debit cards.

Parking regulations

Paid parking areas are usually marked by a blue zone, with a parking meter within walking distance. You must buy a ticket and display it clearly on your dashboard. Be sure to check the sign for the maximum parking duration, which is generally one to two hours.

Certain times of the day may offer free parking, such as during siesta hours or from 8 PM to 8 AM. Different curb colors often signify residential parking zones, where parking is restricted to those with a resident’s permit.

Parking for disabled individuals is accessible with a permit from the local municipality. Vehicles displaying this permit can park in a broader array of spaces, including loading zones for unlimited time or pedestrian areas for a limited duration.

Fuel options

When filling up your car in Spain, look for 'gasolina sin plomo' for unleaded fuel, while diesel is labeled as 'gasóleo A' and LPG is referred to as 'autogas.' Most gas stations accept both cash and card payments, and you'll find automatic pumps in all major areas.

How Dinogo curates this guide

Dinogo takes pride in its comprehensive travel expertise. Our team of experienced writers has carefully curated and verified this content, ensuring it provides the most up-to-date and accurate information. Our mission is to be your trusted resource for travel insights, offering everything from insider tips to exclusive offers.

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