I wasnt sure whether to post this because I think it will be of limited interest, also I wasn't sure where to post it anyway, but if it saves anyone a spot of bother it will be worth it.
I live about midway between Valencia and Alicante, and a friend (also a Brit x-pat) was just telling me that on Wednesday she was stopped just outside Alicante airport, by Civil Guardia officers, (she had picked up family and was intending to drive back here).
She was then warned that she could be prosecuted for driving in backless sandals (they weren't flip flops, they were quite sturdy actually, with two straps going across the foot). The penalty for this, according to the officers is up to 300 euros. So, if anyone out there is intending to pick up a rental car here in Spain, you might want to think twice about wearing backless sandals when you drive it away.......
It is almost impossible to drive legally in Spain.
You are correct about sandals, but you also cannot drive in flip-flops or barefoot.
Among the most obscure laws are that you can also be fined for having anything on the rear seats which might roll off and under the pedals. You can be fined for not having a spare pair of glasses if you need them for driving. You have to carry 2 warning triangles and enough florescent jackets for the driver and all passengers. You must keep your windows clean at all times.etc.
Basically, if the Guardia Civil want to fine you, they will find something that you have done wrong.
If stopped, the best advice would be to keep calm and not antagonise them. Speaking the language, or at least attempting to, also helps a great deal.
You are correct about sandals, but you also cannot drive in flip-flops or barefoot.
Among the most obscure laws are that you can also be fined for having anything on the rear seats which might roll off and under the pedals. You can be fined for not having a spare pair of glasses if you need them for driving. You have to carry 2 warning triangles and enough florescent jackets for the driver and all passengers. You must keep your windows clean at all times.etc.
Basically, if the Guardia Civil want to fine you, they will find something that you have done wrong.
If stopped, the best advice would be to keep calm and not antagonise them. Speaking the language, or at least attempting to, also helps a great deal.
The same laws about shoes exist in Germany.
The problem isn't with the Gauardia civil it's with the Spanish highway code. Just about everything in it is contradicted with the with proviso "if it's safe to do so". Therefore you can only ever overtake on the left,hand side (unless the road is clear and it would be safe to pass on the right hand side). Also, you must never park within 15 meters of a junction or pedestrian crossing ( but it only counts if it hinders vision) - where I live the council have marked parking bays right on top of zebra crossings and on blind corners aswell. You could even argue against a drink drive penalty because the law states that your driving should be impaired (this defence has been successfuly used in Galicia this year!!)
Someone who lives in Spain warned me about driving extra carefully around May-July time. This is apparently when the police are keen to generate fines as they get a cut of them and therefore increase their summer holiday spending money.
Remember to always indicate, never flash anyone (even if you know them) and never park on yellow (or faded) yellow lines.
Chris
Remember to always indicate, never flash anyone (even if you know them) and never park on yellow (or faded) yellow lines.
Chris
Someone who lives in Spain warned me about driving extra carefully around May-July time. This is apparently when the police are keen to generate fines as they get a cut of them and therefore increase their summer holiday spending money.
I suggest that if you are stopped by the Guardia Civil between May and July, that you offer them double their cut if they forget all about the fine.
Let us know how you get on.
sue123 wrote:driving in backless sandals
Official Spanish guide to learning to drive clearly says that people must wear adequate footwear while driving.
Post a Reply
Please sign in or register an account to reply to this post.
Similar Topics
-
Driving in Spain
Posted by MikeJT in Spain - Costa Del Sol/Gibraltar Discussion Forum
-
Driving to Spain
Posted by bluechip in Spain - Costa Blanca Discussion Forum
-
Driving from Faro to Spain.
Posted by geebee in Algarve/Portugal/Madeira/Azores Discussion Forum
-
Driving from Spain and other questions.
Posted by MarinaG in Algarve/Portugal/Madeira/Azores Discussion Forum
- first time driving in spain