With an area of 505,990 km 2 (195,360 sq mi), Spain is the largest country in Southern Europe, the second largest country in Western Europe and the European Union. Spain’s population is circa 47 million.
Abnormal Road Movements
In Spain there are three types of permits for abnormal transports depending on their size, mass and axle load; classified in Generic, Specific and Exceptional authorisations.
Each request shall contain a limited number of motor vehicles plate numbers and a limited number of trailer or semi-trailer plate numbers technically equivalent to each other and to the carried load.
All abnormal load operators will require a keeper’s certificate to prove ownership of the trailer, which must be carried as part of the vehicle documents at all times.
EU Directive – Within the European Union (EC), the Council Directive 96/53/EC gives information about the permissible dimensions and weights for road vehicles in international traffic. Vehicle combinations (trucks with ordinary trailers or semi-trailers) which comply with the criteria specified here may travel on roads within the EU without a special permit. The size and weight limits set by the Council Directive are summarised in the tables at the link here
Carriage of Dangerous Goods
Competent Authority
Dangerous Goods Commission
Ministerio de Transportes, Movilidad y Agenda Urbana
Paseo de la Castellana, 67
E – 28 071 MADRID
Tel: +34 91 597 75 48
Fax: +34 91 597 50 27
E-mail: sgarcia@mitma.es & mercancias.peligrosas@mitma.es
Notification according to 1.9.4
Spain notified restrictions concerning vehicles engaged in the international carriage of dangerous goods by road applicable on the territory of Spain during 2022: RIMP DGT (Spanish only)
Restrictions concerning vehicles engaged in the international carriage of dangerous goods by road applicable in Basque Country (2022): RIMP PAIS VASCO
Restrictions concerning vehicles engaged in the international carriage of dangerous goods by road applicable in Catalonia (2021 – update forthcoming): RIMP CATALUNA Summary RIMP 2022: see Map at link
Other notifications
Notification by Spain according to section 6.8.2.7 of the ADR (French only)
Recommended parking sites for carriage of dangerous goods in Spain
If you are shipping dangerous goods, you must also complete a dangerous goods declaration. See guidance on moving dangerous goods
Heavy Goods Vehicles Road Tolls
Here, nearly all motorways, identified by AP (for Autopistas), are subject to tolls. However, urban motorways such as in Barcelona, Bilbao, Valencia, Alicante, and others are toll-free.
The urban motorway in Madrid is partially subject to charges. Similar to France, the road toll in Spain is mandatory for all vehicles.
In Spain, the toll is collected through a closed toll system with entries and exits. The toll is calculated based on the covered route and the vehicle category. In some parts, there is a flat-rate toll charge for some sections regardless of the vehicle category. If you are regularly driving to Spain, it is possible to purchase an OBU.
If you have an OBU, you drive through specific lanes marked “Télépeaje”, “T”, or “Via T”.
There are three categories of toll collection in Spain, PCV and HGV come under Category III if the vehicle and trailer have 4 or more axles.
Tunnels
In the southeastern part of Spain, there are two toll tunnels. The tunnels are part of toll motorways, so tolls can be paid manually at tollgates or via the Via-T system.
Restrictions on movement
The competent authorities in the field of traffic and road safety annually have special regulatory measures that temporarily restrict the circulation of certain vehicles on dates and routes for which mass displacements are foreseen, in order to promote road safety, mobility and fluidity of circulation. For further information on HGV restrictions, which also covers Dangerous Goods Restrictions – go here.
Weekend and public holiday Driving Bans
No general driving ban on Sundays and public holidays. There are only regional driving bans and which, also concern ADR goods
Driver & Vehicle Documentation
Check what other vehicle documents and driver documents the driver needs to carry on international journeys.
Permits
Check which international road haulage permits you need.
Check which international road haulage permits you need – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Find out how to apply for bilateral international road haulage permits and the rules you have to follow at the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/international-road-haulage-permits-for-some-non-eu-countries
To find out more about ECMT Permits, please visit the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ecmt-international-road-haulage-permits
To find out more about ECMT International Removal Permits, please visit the link below.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/international-road-haulage-removal-permits
Seed Limits for HGV’s over 3.5t
The following speed limits are applicable to HGVs:
Drink Driving
In Spain, professional drivers are no longer considered fit to drive when their blood/alcohol concentration exceeds 30mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (0.3 BAC).
Random breath tests (alcohol-tests) can be carried out by the police at any time (they are more widespread during the Christmas and New Year holiday period and in July and August), and motorists who are involved in accidents or who infringe motoring regulations are routinely given alcohol and drug tests.
Driving over the limit, can result in a fine of up to €1,500, loss of points from your licence or its suspension and even imprisonment. Drivers who refuse to take a breath test are liable to a prison sentence of 6 to 12 months and a loss of six points.
Other Items Required
In addition to required documents, motorists are also required by law to carry the following items when driving to avoid hefty on-the-spot fines:
Items you should not take into Spain
Be aware that you cannot take the following with you:
You cannot take the following unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave and get a ‘Phytosanitary certificate’:
Seat belts
It is compulsory to wear seat belts; the fine for failing to wear a seat belt is set at €200.
In an emergency
112 – You can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you are visiting. Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.
Low Emission Zones
A number of regions have low emission zones for Lorries. These LEZs also affect the cities within those regions. For further information on LEZ’s
Transport Organisation
Association of International Road Transport (ASTIC)
C/ Principe de Vergara, 74, 3ª Planta
28006 Madrid
España
Tel: +34 914 514 801-07
Email: info@astic.net
Web: www.astic.net
British Embassy
Torre Emperador Castellana
Paseo de la Castellana 259D
28046 Madrid
Spain
Telephone: +34 917 146 300
