Whys and Wherefores of Driving in Spain
Most people who move from the UK to Spain will want to purchase a car for their use.
Buying a new car in Spain is a lot cheaper than in the UK. A saving of roughly £1000.00 can be made, depending on the make and model. Cars do not depreciate at the same rate and go down by hundreds rather than thousands over the years. I bought a second hand Hyundai Lantra upon arrival in Spain, and by the time I sold it when I returned to England it was still in very good condition. No doubt the drier weather in Spain helped. The car showrooms do not show as large a choice, and cars are selected from showroom catalogues. The road tax is approx 40 Euros per year. If you buy a used car then in comparison to the price in the UK it will be dearer, but when you come to sell it or trade it in, it will get more. Most cars would come with air conditioning as standard.
The first MOT is required after 4 years and currently costs 38 Euros, with the next MOT two years after. Once a car is over 10 years old an ITV will be needed annually. The MOT centres are called ITV’s and you can only get the car tested at selected ITV’s – “Inspeccion Tecnica de Vehicles”. There are garages which will service your car and do a pre MOT check and then will take your car to the test centre for you. This is useful, as most of the testing you help the tester with. You sit in your car and he will shout out what is required (footbrake on, side lights on etc). A sticker is issued to you which you display on the windscreen, showing when it was tested and when it is due again. You do not get a reminder on this, so the onus is on you.
There are several car insurance companies available, but the most popular with the British people is Linea Direct, who speak in English on the phone and issue the Policy etc in English. The policy must be carried around with you at all times and recently the police are allowing a photostat copy of it. The police also require proof that you have paid for the year’s insurance, so a letter from your bank is required.
If you take a UK registered car into Spain you have a limited time before you have to re-register it in Spain. Also, if your car is right hand drive you may find it rather difficult to get motor insurance for it.
Driving in Spain
Driving is on the right and watch out for traffic lights as they can be on lamp posts at the side of the road, or hung across the middle of the road. Be alert for Spanish drivers approaching roundabouts as they frequently don’t give you the right of way even if you are on it. A lot of toll charges are being implemented, which you can pay for in cash, or by card. Look for the head sign at the toll booth and go to the appropriate lane. Autopista is a motorway, and the Autovia is an often older motorway, or dual carriageway. The maximum speed limit is usually 120 kph – roughly 75 miles per hour – on a motorway, and can vary on dual carriageways.
One of the most dangerous times for UK drivers is when you fill up with petrol and come out of the station to get back on to the road. You have to have your wits about you, and be sure to remember which side of the road you will be driving on.
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