If you’re planning on hiring a car on your next holiday to Spain, you need to be aware of these easy mistakes
Your vehicle can be taken away on the spot (Image: Getty)
Brits heading to Spain may need to rethink some of their driving habits, as this one easy mistake could not only cost them their car but also their entire holiday budget.
Spanish traffic rules are far stricter than tourists may expect, especially when it comes to roadside parking, according to motoring expert Number1Plates. The parking moves that may feel standard here in the UK could quite quickly turn into a sticky situation with a hefty fine on your hands.
Parking for even a short amount of time in a restricted zone in Spain will be treated as a serious violation. Here in the UK, you’re most likely just going to face a ticket, but comparatively in Spain, your vehicle can be towed away there and then.
This is especially common in tourist hotspot areas with a busy city centre or by a coastal resort with limited space. Therefore, you should expect this in places such as Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga and Alicante.
After a vehicle is towed from the restricted spot, it is often taken to a municipal pound where tourists are then expected to pay the fine as well as daily storage fees to hold the vehicle there until it can be released. If you’re hiring a vehicle, rental companies do not allow a collection until everything is taken care of, so the payment is expected to be turned around fairly quickly.
Spanish parking rules are enforced much more firmly (Image: Getty)
Other habits from UK tourists, common for causing trouble in Spain, include:
- Parking on yellow or zig-zag lines – Often seen as a minor offence in the UK but can result in immediate towing in Spain.
- Stopping in loading bays or near bus stops – This can be enough for removal, even after just a few minutes
- Blocking pedestrian crossings or dropped kerbs – This is considered highly unsafe and will be swiftly penalised.
- Leaving a car too close to junctions or roundabouts – Another easy mistake that leads to fines and towing.
Number1Plates said: “These are things many UK drivers don’t think twice about, but in Spain, they’re enforced much more firmly.” When it comes to costs, a wrongly parked car could soon rack up far more than the cost of hiring in the first place.
Typically, fines range from from €100–€200 (£85–£170), with an additonal cost for towing fees at €100–€150, depending on the city. As well as this, daily storage charges of €20–€30 often apply until the very day the vehicle is collected.
Not to mention, on top of all of this, hiring comapnies insurance policies dont tend to cover penalties and towing, therefore leaving holidaymakers to foot the bill. Rental firms tend to add on additonal fees for administration charges, so befroe you know it these costs can spiral.
Number1Plates advises that you always check for local parking signs and read them carefully, even if they seem similar to those back home. Additionally, you should steer away from leaving your car in any areas such as loading zones, taxi ranks or even spaces clearly reserved for residents.
Any blue zones should also be made aware of, as they typically require a ticket from a nearby machine, and if no ticket is displayed, may result in a fine. The experts suggest that if in doubt, always stick to official car parks, which should be widely available in Spanish towns and cities.
They warned: “A five-minute mistake can cost hundreds and ruin your holiday plans. By taking a little extra care, you can avoid fines, towing and unwanted stress.”
