Hiring a car is a great way to explore Spain more, regardless of whether you want to challenge the mainland, the Canary Islands, and the Baleares Islands. However, it is important to be familiar with local driving restrictions before obtaining a key.
Apart from the obvious switching to the right driving, it is necessary for holiday manufacturers to comply with local rules and speed limits and confirm that they have valid licenses. If a license is issued in the UK, it can be used in the EU for up to 6 months.
2025 will bring some changes to the Spanish operating method, so it is important to keep a new regulation up to the latest even if you rent a car during your vacation. There are important changes to attract attention here -and some of these are also applicable when renting scooters.
1. Drink drive restrictions will be cut
According to the European Traffic Safety Council (ETSC), Spain plans to reduce the restrictions on drunk driving by more than half. Currently, the limit is 0.05 % BAC (blood alcohol content) or 0.03 % BAC of a beginner driver or driver driving for work.
In contrast, the UK restriction is 0.08 % BAC. The impact of alcohol varies from individual to individual, and men may usually consume more than women before reaching the limit.
In the existing Spanish law, you can push someone near the limit by taking multiple 330ml beer.
Changes to the law may be cut to a 0.02 % BAC. In other words, even a small drink can be in danger of legal trouble. The Spanish drink drive method is relatively strict. If it exceeds the limit, the worst criminal with a BAC of over 0.12 % may face 6 months of prison.
If you are driving in Spain, it is recommended that you avoid drinking completely before holding the steering wheel, and confirm that alcohol has enough time to leave your body from the night before. Masu.
2. Emergency corridor rules
The new law that appeared in January 2025 aims to enable emergency vehicles to reach their destination. It is known as an emergency corridor -when you hear that the emergency vehicle is approaching, you need to move to the right.
When a driver on both sides does this, it creates a “corridor” for transportation so that vehicles such as ambulances can easily zip.
3. Helmet law appears
Note that the government is changing protective equipment requirements for those who are thinking of jipping around Spain on a motorcycle. Open face helmet is no longer allowed.
The rider needs to wear a completely closed helmet and gloves while riding a bicycle. This can also be expanded to those who hire a mopet. The law has been proposed for several years and the date has not been set, but it may be enforced in 2025.
4. Motorcycles can use hard shoulders during traffic
Motor Cyclist is excited to know that a hard shoulder can be used from 2025 when the traffic is heavy. However, it is important to note that a 30 km/h speed limit is enforced, and that motorcycles need to prioritize other vehicles that are allowed to use emergency vehicles, cyclists, and hard shoulders.
5. Introduction of low emission zone (zbes)
As of January 1, the Spanish cities with a population of over 50,000 are specified as the low emission zone. These zones have already been established in several major cities, but the enforcement differs for each region.
ZBES is prohibited from entering the city center at a specific time of elderly ages. This is usually shown in signs around the zone. Rental cars are usually new models, so they rarely affect rental cars, but they can affect drivers moving from the UK to Spain with their own car.
