Driving in Spain is easy for UK visitors once you know the handful of rules that differ from home — starting with the obvious one: Spain drives on the right. Every year thousands of British holidaymakers collect a hire car at Malaga Airport and adapt within twenty minutes. This guide covers everything you need before your first Spanish roundabout.

The essentials at a glance

  • Drive on the right, overtake on the left.
  • Your UK photocard licence is valid in Spain — no International Driving Permit needed for tourists.
  • Speed limits: 120 km/h motorways, 90 km/h main roads, 30 km/h in most urban streets.
  • Blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l — stricter than England’s 0.8. Best rule on holiday: if you drive, don’t drink.
  • Children under 135 cm must use an appropriate child seat, always in the back.
  • Mobile phone in hand = 6 points and up to €200. Cradle-mounted navigation is fine.

Roundabouts: the one that catches everyone

Spanish roundabouts work anticlockwise — the mirror image of home. The golden rule: traffic already on the roundabout has priority, and you exit from the outside lane. Locals often circulate in the outer lane the whole way round; don’t be surprised, leave space, and indicate before your exit.

Motorways: A-7 vs AP-7

Along the Costa del Sol you’ll use two parallel motorways. The A-7 (Autovía del Mediterráneo) is free, coastal and busier. The AP-7 (Autopista) is a toll road — quieter, faster, and worth the few euros in summer traffic. Tolls between Malaga and Estepona range from roughly €4 to €8 depending on season, payable by card at the barrier.

All Fetajo rentals include unlimited mileage, so route choice is entirely yours — coast road for the views, toll road for the tee time.

Fuel, parking and city driving

Fuel

Gasolina = petrol (95 is standard); gasóleo or diésel = diesel. Double-check before you fill — it’s the most common tourist mistake in Spain. Most stations are self-service and take UK cards without fuss.

Parking

Blue lines = paid zones (pay at the machine, typically €1-2/hour). White lines = free. Yellow lines = no parking. In old town centres (Marbella, Ronda, Mijas Pueblo) skip street hunting and use a public car park — €15-20 for a full day.

Low emission zones

Spanish cities are introducing Zonas de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE). Malaga’s covers the historic centre. Rental cars registered in Spain generally carry the required environmental sticker — with a modern fleet renewed every season, this is not something Fetajo customers need to think about.

What must be in the car

Spanish law requires a reflective vest for every occupant (kept inside the cabin, not the boot), a warning triangle or V-16 beacon, and spare wheel or repair kit. Every Fetajo vehicle comes fully equipped and road-legal — one less checklist for you.

Speed cameras and fines

Fixed radars are signposted in advance; average-speed cameras operate on several Costa del Sol stretches. Fines arrive electronically to the rental company and are passed on to the driver, so the cheapest strategy is simply the speed limit. Note that Spain’s motorway limit of 120 km/h is about 75 mph — close to what you’re used to, easy to respect.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive in Spain with my UK licence after Brexit?

Yes. UK photocard licences remain valid for tourists driving in Spain. No International Driving Permit is required for visits.

Is driving in Spain hard for British visitors?

No — roads on the Costa del Sol are modern and well signposted. The adjustment to driving on the right typically takes one short journey. An automatic gearbox makes it even easier: see our automatic car hire fleet.

Do I pay tolls on the Costa del Sol?

Only if you choose the AP-7 toll motorway. The parallel A-7 is free. Both run the full length of the coast.

What happens if I get a speeding fine in a hire car?

The authority notifies the rental company, which identifies the driver as required by law. Paying early (within 20 days) halves most fines.

Can I take a Malaga hire car to Gibraltar or Portugal?

Ask when booking. Cross-border conditions vary; with unlimited mileage, all of mainland Spain is always included.

Ready for the right-hand side of the road? Book your car online and save 10% — collected at arrivals, no queues, no bus.