To this end, always carry at least 100 Euros with you, plus your driving licence and your passport.

Also, the law requires you to carry a spare set of bulbs plus the tools to fix them, and 2 sets of Ministry approved warning triangles in your vehicle at all times. The fine for non - compliance is around 100 Euros

Recenlty introduced:

You now have to carry reflective jackets in your car for the number of people in the car.

And if you wear spectacles for driving, you are required to carry a spare pair!

Your UK Licence

Your normal UK driving licence is fine for using when driving in Spain, provided it is a current full licence.

If you hire a care, the car hire firms normally stipulate that you have to be over 21 years of age.

Driving Licences/Spanish Residents

Once you become a resident, you will be required to either present or exchange your current UK licence.  Both involve a trip to Trafico.

In the first instance, the licence will be inspected and stamped, or if you exchange your licence you will receive a new Spanish version.  If you own a British or non-Spanish registered vehicle, you have six months in which to “import” and re-register the vehicle with Spanish number plates.

UK Registered Cars

To begin with UK registered vehicles, anyone who is a non-resident (i.e. not in possession of a valid Residencia card) may freely drive and use a UK registered vehicle during their stay here, but the vehicle must have all the usual documentation for MOT, tax and insurance and, of course, you must carry a valid UK driving licence.

Should the MOT expire whilst you are here, you must arrange an ITV (Spanish equivalent of the MOT) on the vehicle, but this will only be valid for driving in Spain, and you need to obtain an MOT certificate as soon as is practical after your return.  It is not possible to tax a UK registered vehicle here, but that does not mean you do not need road tax: every vehicle on the road ought to carry current and valid vehicle tax, and if your vehicle is UK registered, you should display a UK vehicle tax disc.  It is difficult to find competitive insurance cover here for a UK registered vehicle, although not impossible, but this is as important to have in place as it is in the UK.  Your UK licence is valid here and it is no longer necessary to obtain a Green Card before travel to and from Spain.  All these documents should be carried in the vehicle whilst it is in use.

A problem often arises when someone who has not applied for a Residencia brings their UK registered vehicle to Spain and keeps it here for a protracted period.  As the Spanish rule is that you should apply for Residencia if spending more than 183 days a year, there is no provision for renewing documentation such as road tax on UK vehicles. If this is the case, the vehicle should be imported and the number plate changed to a Spanish matriculation.

If you decide to apply for a Spanish Residencia, it is a legal requirement you change the UK registration, and you have six months to arrange an importation of the vehicle and obtain a new Spanish number plate.  Vehicle importations can be complicated and various documents are required to complete the process: I recommend you seek professional assistance for this service, and most reputable car dealerships can assist you in this regard.

The above information is relevant for UK registered cars, motorcycles, and mopeds.

Purchase of Spanish Vehicles and Spanish Driving Licence

If you are non-resident but wish to purchase and drive a Spanish registered vehicle, this is quite acceptable.  Again, the vehicle must carry valid ITV, tax and insurance papers.  There have recently been reports about non-resident individuals being stopped by the Traffic Police and fined for not having a Spanish driving licence.  It is impossible to obtain a Spanish licence without a Residencia: the problem arises because the Police occasionally assume residency when they see a Spanish licence plate. In this case you should explain that you are not a resident of Spain, but spend periods of time here throughout the year.  If you have difficulty with the Spanish language, or wish to be quite sure of avoiding this situation, I suggest you obtain a Certificate of Non-Residence from the Comiseria and carry it with you.