Spanish road rules that differ from your home country

Terms used

• ORA — The ORA is a town's paid on-street parking scheme, with zones, hours and fees set by each town hall.
• ZBE — The ZBE is a low-emission zone in a town or city where access depends on your car's environmental label.
• V16 — The V16 is a connected emergency light you place on the road after a breakdown, replacing warning triangles.
• Etiqueta ambiental — The etiqueta ambiental is the DGT environmental sticker (0, ECO, B or C) that decides which low-emission zones you can enter.
• Policía Local — The Policía Local is the town's local police, who enforce traffic and parking rules.

Key rules

• Unmarked junctions: With no signs or markings, give way to traffic coming from your right.
• Roundabouts: Traffic already inside the roundabout goes first, and you signal right before leaving.
• Daytime lights: Cars need dipped lights in tunnels, bad visibility and at night, but motorbikes and mopeds need them always.
• Breakdowns: A V16 light is mandatory and replaces triangles.
• Local rules: Parking and low-emission rules are set by each town hall, so check before driving into a city.

Priority at junctions with no signs

Where there are no signs or road markings, traffic coming from your right goes first. This surprises many drivers from countries where the main road simply continues.

Exceptions to know:

• A vehicle on a road with priority signs goes before you.
• A vehicle joining the road from a dirt track or off-road section must give way.
• A vehicle leaving a car park or private property onto the road must give way.
• Vehicles already inside a roundabout go first.
• Trains and trams always have priority at level crossings.
• Emergency vehicles with active lights or sirens take precedence.
• A traffic officer's signals override every sign and rule above.

Roundabouts

Vehicles already circulating have priority over those entering, unless a sign says otherwise. Signal and give way as you enter.

You may use any lane that suits your exit. To leave, move to the outer lane in good time and signal right. The most common fault is staying in the inner lane and then cutting across lanes to exit. Large vehicles that cannot stay in the outer lane may take several lanes, but must not endanger others.

Lights

Dipped headlights are not required in daytime on ordinary roads for cars. You must use them in tunnels, in fog, heavy rain, snow or dust, and at night. Some roads have signs requiring lights on. Cars carry daytime running lights, so these come on by themselves.

On a motorcycle or moped, keep dipped or daytime running lights on at all times, on any road.

Driving without lights when they are required is a minor offence. The fine is around 200 euros, with no points.

Equipment in the car

Keep a reflective vest inside the cabin, within reach, not in the boot. Put it on before you step out onto the road.

Since 1 January 2026, a V16 connected emergency light is mandatory. It replaces warning triangles for signalling a breakdown. Fines for missing equipment run from around 80 to 200 euros, and around 80 euros for the V16.

You also need a spare wheel or repair kit, a jack and a wheel wrench. Spare bulbs are advisable but not required. Details are in the checklist below.

Local rules

Parking and traffic rules vary by town. Each town hall (ayuntamiento) publishes its traffic ordinance (ordenanza de circulación) and its ORA regulated-parking rules. Search your town's name with "ordenanza de movilidad" or "ordenanza de circulación", or call the Policía Local.

Many cities have low-emission zones (zonas de bajas emisiones, ZBE). Access depends on your car's DGT environmental label (etiqueta ambiental): 0, ECO, B or C. Check your town hall's page before driving into a city centre. Your town's parking app usually shows ORA zones and hours.

The warning and quick answers below cover other habits that earn fines, including phones, cameras and dashcams.

Checklist

Before you drive in Spain

• Put a V16 connected emergency light in the car, since it is mandatory and replaces triangles for signalling a breakdown.

• Check that the car carries a spare wheel or repair kit, a jack and a wheel wrench.

• Carry your ID, driving licence, insurance proof and the car's ITV card (the roadworthiness inspection card).

• Buy spare bulbs if you want extra safety; they are recommended but not mandatory.

Habits that earn newcomers fines in Spain

• Speeding, especially past fixed and section cameras: Speeding is the fine newcomers collect most, and cameras catch it automatically. Fines start at 100 euros just over the limit. In a 50 km/h zone, 71-80 km/h costs 300 euros and 2 points, and 91-100 km/h costs 500 euros and 6 points. Section cameras measure your average speed between two points, so slowing down only at the camera does not help. Watch the posted limit on every sign, use cruise control on motorways, and keep to the limit along the whole stretch where a section camera is signed. The point at which speeding becomes a crime is explained in the speed limits article.

• Using a phone or earphones at the wheel: Holding a phone, or handling any screen that is not mounted for navigation, is fined heavily and costs points. Earphones in your ears are also banned, even for calls. Hands-free calls through Bluetooth or the car system are allowed. Mount the phone before you set off and use the car's built-in hands-free. The exact phone penalty is set out in the phones, seat belts and child seats article.

• Parking in banned, loading or paid zones: Parking in prohibited or loading zones, or in paid ORA zones (regulated street parking) without a ticket, brings quick fines, and the car may be towed. Read the kerb markings and the nearby sign, and pay at the machine or app before you walk away.

• Entering a low-emission zone without permission: Many Spanish cities have low-emission zones where cameras read your plate. Driving in without authorisation earns a fine, and a foreign plate does not exempt you. Check the city's low-emission zone rules and register your car if required before you drive into the centre.

• Roundabouts, red lights and missing paperwork: Failing to give way on a roundabout, running a red light and driving without valid insurance or a passed ITV (the compulsory roadworthiness inspection) are all common newcomer fines. Alcohol and drug checks are also frequent. Give way to traffic already on the roundabout, stop at every red, and keep your insurance and ITV in date before you drive.

Quick answers about Spanish road rules

Do I need to drive with my headlights on in the daytime in Spain?

No, cars do not generally need dipped headlights on during the day on ordinary roads, but you must use them in tunnels, in fog, heavy rain, snow or dust, and at night. Motorcycles and mopeds must use dipped or daytime running lights at all times. Some roads have signs requiring lights on, and not using lights when required costs about 200 euros with no points.

Are dashcams and radar detectors legal in Spain?

Yes, dashcams are legal for personal use, but publishing footage that shows people or number plates can breach data-protection law. Footage can be accepted as evidence. Detectors that only warn are not specifically banned, but devices that jam or interfere with radar are prohibited and can cost 500 to 1,000 euros and 6 points. Using a detector can also be fined 200 euros with no points.

Can I drive with headphones or earphones in Spain?

No, driving with headphones or earphones connected to a phone or sound device is banned and costs 200 euros and 3 points. Hands-free systems built into the car are allowed. Holding a phone is a separate offence with its own, heavier penalty.