Expat Life - A guide to the practicalities of liveing on Fuerteventura

Many people move here thinking that life will be all beaches and barbies! Well a lot of it is, but you also need to deal with the practicalities of life. This series of articles is designed to make this easier for you.

The Motoring Law in Spain

The Guardia Civil do frequent checks on motorists here on the island. Unlike in the UK they do not have to have a reason to stop you. Here are some of the things that they will be looking for when checking you and your vehicle. Unless you want an on the spot fine or worse, make sure that you are complying with them.

Speed limits
The maximum speed limit on the island is 90km/h. This applies to all roads out of towns unless a lower limit is indicated. In towns the maximum is 50 km/h, again check road signs as many busy streets will have a lower limit indicated.

Alcohol
The limit is 50mg/100ml which is lower than in the 80mg/100ml limit in the UK.

Documentation
Carry your driving licence with you at all times. This should be either a Spanish one or a UK one with the EU stamp on it. If you have a paper licence make sure you have another form of identity that has your photo on it, but be prepared for an argument. If you are resident here you are not allowed to use a UK licence for more than 6 months. After that time you either need to get it registered and stamped in Spain or exchange it for a Spanish licence - this involves a short medical.

You also need to have vehicle registration document (V5), a certificate of motor insurance and the bank receipt that shows you have paid this for the current period. If the vehicle is not registered in your name, carry a letter from the registered owner giving you permission to drive.

Cars over 4 years old must have a valid ITV sticker on their windscreens

It is also compulsory to carry:

At least one visibility vest - this should be in the car and not in the boot. In the event of a breakdown, put on your hazard warning lights first and then put the jacket on before you get out of your vehicle. Any passengers who are helping you in close proximity to the vehicle must wear a visibility jacket too.

Two warning triangles - place one of these in front of your vehicle to warn oncoming traffic and the other behind it. Give other drivers a chance to react by placing these at least 30 metres from the car. If you are on a fast road, place the rear 100 metres away.

A spare bulb set

If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you must carry a spare pair or set in the car with you at all times

Passengers

Children under 12 cannot travel in the front unless using a suitably adapted restraint system. In the rear, passengers under 135cm tall must use specially adapted safety devices and restraints.

The driver and all passengers in both the front and the back of the vehicle must wear seat belts.

Animals such as dogs must be restrained so that they cannot disturb the driver. The preferred method is to place them in the rear of the vehicle behind a screen to stop them moving into the front.

Motorcycle drivers and passengers must wear crash helmets.

If you are driving a UK registered car here you will also need:
a GB sticker unless your vehicle has Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background).
Headlamp converters are compulsory.

A First-aid kit and fire extinguisher are advised, but not compulsory.

Driving Behaviour
We only have a little bit of motorway here but the law operating in Spain regarding the use of indicators on motorways is being strictly enforced. You risk being fined for not indicating before overtaking and again before pulling back to the nearside lane after overtaking. Also, ensure you do not cross the solid white line as you enter the motorway from a slip road, but wait until the line is broken.

You are not allowed to use a mobile phone whilst driving unless you have a hands free system fitted in your car.

Lights: dipped headlights should be used in poor daytime visibility. Motorcycles must use dipped headlights during the day at all times.

Parking: yellow lines mean no parking and blue ones mean look for a pay meter. If you do get a ticket pay it promptly or you will be liable for an extra fine for late payment.

You are not allowed to display signs - such as For Sale ones in your car windows as these can obstruct your vision and distract other drivers.

Penalties

The vehicle's owner is responsible for offences referring to the vehicle's documentation, the vehicle's safety conditions and non-fulfilment of the mandatory vehicle inspection (ITV).
The driver is always responsible for all traffic violations, regardless he is the owner of the vehicle or not.

Fines: These can vary from around 50 euros for a minor offence to 1500euros for major ones. In the case of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, you may also be subject to forfeiting your licence and/or a prison term.

For less serious offences - up to 300euros, on the spot fines are issued. Ensure an official receipt is issued by the officer collecting the fine.

If you have a Spanish licence, then you may also lose some of the 12 points that come with the licence.

Driving Tips

The Spanish can use any lane when entering a roundabout - do not expect a vehicle in the nearside lane to turn off on the first or second exit - they may continue in this lane all the way round to the final exit.

Spanish people expect cars to stop when they use a zebra crossing. Be very alert on roads with a lot of pedestrians as they could just step out right in front of you.

And a final note:- goats as well as pedestrians have right of way on roads - it is your responsibility to stop for them!