Essential guide for driving your Centauro rental car in Spain

Do you want to drive in Spain, but you're not sure what you need? If you plan to travel to Spain and rent a car, this guide is for you. We will explain all the requirements that you must know to drive legally in the country, and provide you with all the information that you need to enjoy a worry-free holiday behind the wheel.

Minimum requirements to drive in Spain

• Driving licenses accepted in Spain: To drive in Spain, you must hold a driving license that is valid in its country of origin. Citizens of the European Union can drive in Spain with their national driving license, as long as it is valid and has not expired. If you are a citizen of a country outside the European Union, you can drive with an international permit, which is an official translation of the national driving license issued by the country of origin. This permit is valid in Spain for a maximum of six months.

• If you are thinking of renting a car with Centauro Rent a Car, it is important for you to know that, unlike other companies, with Centauro Rent a Car, if you are over the age of 19 and you have held your driver's license for over one year, you can rent any type of car in our fleet, from any of our offices. If you are aged either between 19 and 24 years old, or over 75 years old, an additional supplement will be charged automatically when you make your booking.

Traffic rules in Spain

• Drive on the right, as is the case in most European countries.
• The maximum speed on roads and highways varies between 50kph and 120kph, depending on the type of road and traffic conditions
• To overtake, you must signal your intention using the indicator, and ensure that no vehicle is coming from the opposite direction. It is important not to exceed the speed limits and to maintain a suitable safety distance.
• In Spain, it is prohibited to use a mobile phone while driving, unless a hands-free device is used. Failure to comply with this regulation can lead to a fine of up to 200 euros.
• You must maintain a suitable safety distance from the vehicle in front, in order to avoid accidents. The regulations state that this minimum distance is one and a half metres in urban areas, and two metres on the highway.
• The use of lights is mandatory at all times, both day and night. Dipped beams must be used at all times, and full beams must only be used on unlit roads, when there are no oncoming vehicles.

• The maximum blood alcohol level allowed in Spain is 0.5 grams per litre of blood, and 0.3 grams per litre of blood for new drivers and professional drivers. Of course the best option is always to avoid alcohol consumption altogether before driving, as even a small amount can negatively affect your driving ability.
• Roundabouts can cause confusion for foreign drivers. In Spain, you drive in an anti-clockwise direction and you must give way to vehicles already on the roundabout.
• Improper use of the horn: This can lead to a fine. In Spain, the horn should only be used in an emergency.
• It is prohibited to drive without a shirt: This is considered a minor offence that can lead to a fine of up to 100 euros. In addition, driving without a shirt can be dangerous, as you will not have suitable protection in the case of an accident.

What to do in case of a breakdown?

If you experience technical problems with your Centauro rental car, you should ensure that you are in a safe place off the road, and switch on the hazard lights on your vehicle. You should then immediately contact the roadside assistance service provided by Centauro Rent a Car. Remember the reflective vest and warning triangles! These are also mandatory and can be extremely useful in the event of a breakdown.

Useful additional information for your #Roadtrip

When you rent a car, there is certain important information to take into account in addition to the driving rules:

• It is important to know the operating hours of the filling stations and toll roads on your route, and also the parking areas, especially if you will travel to large cities like Madrid or Barcelona
• It is also important to take into account the parking regulations in these cities, which are controlled by green or blue lines on the road and parking meters, and which may vary from one city to another.
• If you plan to rent your car to tour around Spain, you are in luck: with the Centauro Premium package, you can rest easy: our rental cars offer full cover for damage and theft of the vehicle with no excess or deposit, among other benefits.

Useful telephone numbers:

• Universal Emergency Telephone Number: 112
• Centauro 24-hour roadside assistance: 966 365 365
• 062: Civil Guard
• 091: National Police
• 080 or 085: Fire Department
• 061: Health Emergencies
• 011: Traffic Service

And that's everything! You have all the information that you need, so all you need to do now is to rent a car from our offices and get on the road, whatever your destination. Enjoy your road trip in Spain!