Driving Tips AP-7 toll-free since 2 February 2025. V16 emergency beacon mandatory from 1 January 2026. SP95 €1.55/L, diesel €1.71/L May 2026. Full DGT rules for UK and EU renters. Driving in Spain is straightforward if you adhere to the national regulations, enforced by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT). The fundamental rules are consistent across the country, but awareness of specific limits is crucial to avoid fines. Key regulations include a mandatory seatbelt policy for all passengers, both front and rear. Children under 135 cm in height must be secured in an approved child restraint system. Using a mobile phone while driving is strictly prohibited unless through a completely hands-free system; holding a phone results in a €200 fine and the deduction of 3 points from a Spanish licence. Road Type Speed Limit (km/h) Notes & Context Standard Fine Range Urban Roads (Vías Urbanas) 50 km/h Applies to roads with two or more lanes per direction. €100–€300 Residential/School Zones 30 km/h On single-lane urban roads with one lane per direction. €100–€300 Rural Single-Carriageway 90 km/h Standard national limit for non-motorway roads. €100–€500 Motorway (Autopista/Autovía) 120 km/h Maximum speed for cars and motorcycles. €100–€600 The blood alcohol limit is stricter than in the UK. The general limit is 0.5 grams per litre (g/L) of blood. For novice drivers (with a licence for less than two years) and professional drivers, this is reduced to 0.3 g/L. Spanish police conduct frequent and random breathalyser tests. For official information, refer to the DGT website. For short-term visitors, the rules are clear. If you hold a valid UK photocard driving licence, you do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for tourist stays up to six months. This has been confirmed by the UK government. However, an IDP (specifically the 1968 convention version) is required if you hold a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, or the Isle of Man. Visitors from other non-EU/non-EEA countries are also strongly advised to carry an IDP alongside their national licence. When driving, you must carry the following documents at all times: Your valid photocard driving licence. Your passport or national identity card. Your car rental agreement. The vehicle's insurance certificate. Failure to produce these documents during a police check can lead to on-the-spot fines. For more information on vehicle hire specifics, see our guide on renting a car in Benidorm. A significant change in Spanish road safety law took effect on 1 January 2026. The traditional reflective warning triangles are now officially obsolete and banned on high-capacity roads (motorways and dual carriageways). They have been replaced by the V16 geolocated emergency beacon. The V16 is a compact, magnetic, flashing amber strobe light. In an emergency, you place it on the roof of your vehicle without leaving the cabin. It immediately begins flashing and, crucially, transmits your GPS coordinates to the DGT 3.0 traffic management platform. This alerts traffic control centres, displays warnings on motorway gantries, and can even send a signal to other connected vehicles in the vicinity. All vehicles provided by reputable rental suppliers will come with a certified V16 beacon, typically found in the glove compartment or a storage area in the boot. Fines for non-compliance on motorways range from €80 to €200. Before leaving the rental depot, you should verify the V16 is present and functional. Warning: Check Your Rental Some reports indicate that smaller, discount rental agencies may be slow to equip their entire fleets. Always check for the V16 beacon yourself before driving away. Our guide on how to avoid scams at the rental desk has more tips. As part of a national initiative, many Spanish cities now operate Low-Emission Zones (Zonas de Bajas Emisiones - ZBE). Benidorm fully activated its ZBE in July 2025, enforced by a network of 11 entry cameras, 8 exit cameras, and 5 dual-purpose cameras. Entry is restricted to vehicles displaying a valid Spanish Distintivo Ambiental (environmental sticker). All modern rental car fleets from major suppliers are equipped with B, C, or ECO stickers, so this is not a concern for most tourists hiring a car in Spain. Unauthorized entry results in a €200 fine. An appeal (recurso de alzada) can be filed within 20 days via the Generalitat Valenciana Consum. Benidorm ZBE Zone Area Key Streets Affected Required Badge Centro 35 ha Av. de Martínez Alejos, Paseo de la Carretera, C. del Dr. Pérez Llorca B, C, ECO, Cero Levante 31 ha Av. del Mediterráneo (upper), Av. de Europa, C. Gerona B, C, ECO, Cero Poniente 8 ha Av. de la Armada Española, Av. de Mont Benidorm B, C, ECO, Cero If your accommodation is within the ZBE, you can register your vehicle for access at the official portal (zbe.benidorm.org) or via the ZBE Benidorm mobile app. Other nearby cities are also implementing their zones, including Valencia (a 27.8 km² zone with full enforcement from 2026) and Alicante (currently in its early stages). These restrictions and registration requirements for foreign-plated vehicles do not apply to Spanish-registered hire cars. See our guide to parking rules in Benidorm for more details. Excellent news for drivers on the Costa Blanca: the AP-7 motorway section around Alicante is now permanently toll-free. As of February 2025, the Spanish government ratified a 100% toll bonus in the official state bulletin (BOE-A-2025-25961), making the route free of charge while its permanent transfer to the state is processed. This covers the entire corridor from Alicante (ALC) airport past Benidorm. The 55–58 km journey from ALC to Benidorm now takes approximately 40–45 minutes with zero tolls. Traffic analysis shows this has already reduced congestion on the parallel A-70 national road by between 19% and 43%. Tip: Reject Unnecessary Toll Transponders When collecting your rental car, the desk agent may offer to rent you a Via-T electronic toll transponder. For journeys exclusively between Alicante, Benidorm, and Valencia, this is unnecessary. Politely decline the offer to avoid extra charges. Note that this toll removal applies specifically to this region. AP-7 sections further south, such as the Cartagena to Almería route, remain tolled under a concession that runs until 2048. You can find the relevant law in the Boletín Oficial del Estado. In the event of an incident, remain calm and follow these steps as required by Spanish law: Activate the V16 Beacon. Immediately place the flashing V16 beacon on the highest part of your vehicle's roof. This is your first and most important action. Move to Safety. If possible, move your vehicle to the hard shoulder or a safe location away from flowing traffic. Put on High-Visibility Vests. Before exiting the vehicle, all persons must put on a high-visibility vest. Call for Help. Dial 112, Spain’s universal emergency number, for police, fire, or ambulance services. For vehicle issues, call your rental company's 24/7 roadside assistance number (e.g., Centauro: +34 966 365 365). Exchange Details. Securely exchange names, addresses, licence numbers, and insurance information with any other parties involved. Do not admit liability. Document the Scene. Take clear photographs of the scene, the position of the vehicles, and all damage from multiple angles. File a Police Report. For any accident involving injury or significant vehicle damage, you are legally required to wait for the police (Guardia Civil or Policía Local) to arrive and file an official report (parte). Local Insight: High-Vis Vests Spanish law requires that high-visibility vests be stored within the passenger cabin of the car, not in the boot. This is to ensure you can put one on “before” you step out of the vehicle on a busy road. Check they are in the glove box or door pockets. As of May 2026, average national fuel prices in Spain are approximately €1.541–€1.555 per litre for SP95 (unleaded) and €1.688–€1.718 per litre for Diesel. To save money, avoid refuelling at petrol stations immediately surrounding Alicante (ALC) airport, where prices are often €0.15 to €0.25 higher per litre. The cheapest options near Benidorm are typically automated 24/7 stations: Petroprix Finestrat: Av. Picasso 41. Often has SP95 for around €1.429/L. Plenoil Finestrat: Av. Miguel Hernández 11. Offers similarly competitive prices. Rental companies operate on a "full-to-full" fuel policy. You must return the vehicle with a full tank. If you do not, they will charge a punitive per-litre rate plus a significant administrative fee for refuelling it themselves. Plan your final fill-up accordingly. For ideas on where to go, check our guide to day trips and fuel station locations. For more travel advice, see the official Visit Spain tourism portal.