Menorca - Cars And Driving

View our Property for sale Menorca

[Annual Taxes] [Business & Work] [Diving] [Geographical Info] [Hobbies & Pastimes]
[History Of Menorca][Industry Crafts] [Menorca Cars & Driving] [Menorca Legal Process] [Menorca Legal System][Making A Spanish Will] [Menorca Schools] [Menorca Health Care] [Mortgages] [Role of Notary] [Running Costs & Maintenance] [Shopping] [Sports]
[Purchasing Property Costs] [Telephones]

CARS and DRIVING - The maximum speed limit is 90 kilometres per hour. Speed limit signs are there for a reason, Traficio Police are very vigilant and give heavy on-the-spot fines. They can and will stop you at any time without reason, for inspection of documents etc., They will not speak to you in English, but they understand what you say, so BE POLITE. It is against the law in Spain not to have ALL your documents with you in the car, passports, driving licences, car documents etc., Set out below are other points to bear in mind:
· Seat belts must be worn at all times where fitted;
· Children under 14 must not sit in the front seats;
· Mopeds and motor cycle riders must wear crash helmets at all times;
· Do not drive whilst wearing headphones;
· Do not stop in ridiculous places to consult your map;
· When walking always face on coming traffic;
· VADO PERMANENTE = no parking - not even just to pop in the bank etc.,!
· AMBOS LADOS = on both sides of the road;
· CEDA EL PASO = give way;
· Always give way to traffic from the right, except on roundabouts;
· Pay and display parking must be paid for otherwise you will be wheel clamped and/or towed away;
· When turning left, pull out onto the crown of the road, NOT to the right hand side.

THE TOURIST - you can drive your own car freely in Spain on your own UK driving licence (although it still makes sense to have an international driving licence if you are driving in Spain). It is not necessary to have a "Green Card" although it might make sense to do so because, without it, your insurance policy may only give you the minimum legal cover required in Spain and this may not be enough. Also, if you are driving your car in Spain, you must of course consider the requirements for licences and insurance in the countries that you travel through on the way. It is also important that you have a valid MOT certificate, valid UK road tax and that your driving licence is in order. Your insurance cover could be invalidated if these requirements are not met. You should also have a "bail bond" from your insurance company and if driving your company car, a letter from them authorising you to take the car out of the UK.

THE RESIDENT - You can buy a car with normal Spanish registration plates and you cannot drive a foreign registered car. If you normally live in Spain or have lived there for more than one year, you must hold a Spanish driving licence.

CAR TAX and INSURANCE - On an ordinary Spanish registered car you must pay (to your local authority) a small annual sum. On the question of insurance, as the owner of a car with Spanish plates, you are required by law to take out third party insurance cover. You can also take out fully comprehensive insurance and also cover for personal injuries. The level of cover (and the premiums) has been rising steadily in recent years to make them comparable with those in other EEC countries.

IN THE CASE OF AN ACCIDENT:-
· Get the other cars registration number, driver's name and address. If Spanish get their DNI number, if non-Spanish passport number;
· Get other driver's insurance details. If he refuses, CALL THE POLICE;
· If there are people injured, do NOT move the cars. CALL THE POLICE;
· If no one is injured the police are not required; and
· If appropriate, inform your car hire company as soon as possible.

NOTE: It is an offence in Spain not to stop to offer assistance to anyone in trouble on the road, whether due to an accident or breakdown.