Motoring

Motoring in Spain is easy. It is a big country. Driving in the country is still a pleasure.

Spain’s motorways are known as Autopistas or autovias, both characterised by blue signposting and built to a high standard. Autopistas are toll roads. The other roads in Spain are identified by the sign ‘Red de Carreteras del Estado’ (the red roads of the country), the Carreteras Nacionales (letter N on maps), and the narrower Carreteras Comarcales (letter C). They all tend to be busy, single lane roads, often taking traffic more suited to the expensive toll roads.

On major roads each kilometre is marked with a number being the distance radiating from Madrid. In the provinces it is the distance from the provincial capital. These kilometer markers are often used as convenient meeting points or used to establish the location of a building.

On the spot fines are handed out for breaking speed limits, which are:

Gasolina (petrol), gasoleo (diesel), and Gasolina sin Plomo (unleaded petrol) are available everywhere at prices well below the European average. Indeed diesel is only about 60 per cent of the most expensive European price.

The number of filling stations are increasing rapidly. They also sell newspapers, food and snacks. Motorway services are poor and infrequent, generally recognised as the worst in Europe.

Driving On The Right Side Of The Road

The most obvious motoring difference is of course left hand drive cars and driving on the right hand side of the road. There are other differences:

 

• Going around roundabouts in an anti clockwise direction – be careful, in some situations the car already on the roundabout does not have the right of way.
• If going in the wrong direction on a major road, it is possible to change direction when the sign Cambio de Sentido appears.
• When turning left at a busy junction, it may be necessary to turn right first and then cross the carriageway.
• Two flashing amber lights means ‘slow down, danger ahead’.
• Respect the narrow inside lane, it is for scooters.
• Seat belts are of course compulsory.
• All vehicle documents such as insurance details, car registration and technical ITV sheets should be kept in the car for inspection by the police if necessary.

Accidents

Unfortunately Spain has one of the highest accident rates in Europe. A high incidence of foreign drivers is one significant reason. Poor roads and alcohol are other major reasons. One further characteristic stands out – speed. Spanish drivers are similar to the Italians and drivers on the Paris ring road – they all drive in a fast, aggressive manner. At slip roads, where they join major roads, no quarter is given or asked by the incoming drivers. Judging speed, slipping into a small gap between moving traffic, can be quite frightening.

Driving a foreign registered car temporarily in Spain requires a green card, a bail bond, a national identity sticker on the back of the car, two red triangles, spare bulbs and a first aid kit. The headlights may need to be adjusted. In the case of an accident, the insurance certificate, driving licence and passport need to be kept handy. Permanently driving a right hand drive car in Spain is not a good idea.

Purchasing A Car (El Coche)

The market for the purchase of new cars is similar across Europe. Large dealers sell new and some second hand cars at very competitive list prices with a good after-sales service. Since dealerships are monitored by the car manufacturers the service is efficient, well organised and, above all, reputable.

Product pricing is affected by discounting or special offers directly from the manufacturer. Look for new car discounts of 10% to 20% from the pre tax list price. Dealers quote one price for a new car inclusive of all taxes and on the road costs. It normally includes metallic paint and air conditioning as standard.

Given Spain’s geographical location and the ownership of car manufacturing plants in Valencia, the popular brands are Seat and Ford. French products come next. Quality German cars are popular. The market penetration of small Far Eastern cars is high.

Regrettably the second hand car market does not enjoy a good reputation with the usual unsavoury dealers in evidence, some of whom are British. Fortunately the quality of a modern second hand car is high. It is price, poor administration, a lack of customer service and dishonesty which gives this market its poor reputation.

The market for second hand cars is unusual. A large number of year old rental cars, with relatively low mileages, are sold through the second hand market each year. Trade-ins for new dealership purchases are also sold through second hand outlets.

There is a third market for cars through the small ads in weekly newspapers. For a first time buyer in Spain the advice is to tread carefully. The risk of a poor product or incorrect paperwork is too high.