Driving Safely on Gran Canaria's Roads
If you’re renting a car in Gran Canaria to move around, learning the driving laws in the island is a definite must. The laws are quite similar compared to other Spanish territories and the European Union. For British citizens though, it will be an entirely eye-opening experience: the steering wheels are on the left-hand side. Apart from successfully renting a car to drive on, you need proper documents so you can legally traverse on the island’s roads Of course, you’ll need an international driver’s licence and your passport. So, now that you’re ready to go behind the wheel, here are some of the things you need to take note in order to drive safely on Gran Canaria’s roads: Handling Mobile Phones …show more content…
To legally use a phone or other devices, you need to veer away from a the road and look for a parking spot. As for using a GPS, you can only place it on the dashboard but not personally handle it. This law is a no-brainer, and avoiding it is a must if you don’t want to face a stiff fine. Driving Footwear Apart from having a clear line of sight of the road and both hands on the wheel, your feet need to be fully optimised for driving as well. It is prohibited to wear flip flops or going barefoot when driving in Gran Canaria. You need to wear closed-toed shoes when driving: doing so makes it easier to press on the pedals. Speed Limits Speed limits are pretty lenient on Gran Canaria, unless if you’re a speed devil. On the motorway, you are allowed to go on a maximum of 120 km/h. On roads in towns and cities, it is 50 km/h, unless stated otherwise. Remember, driving in Gran Canaria is a little challenging, since the landscape is pretty unique. There are cliffs and areas where you will be required to make sharp turns, so be sure to drive on a moderate …show more content…
Offenders face a 12-month licence suspension and a large fine or a few days in jail. If you’re intoxicated or are planning to be, it would be smart to just call a taxi or have a friend drive you back to your hotel. To be safe than sorry, you may also want to avoid being on medication, especially allergy drugs, if driving. Seat Belt Laws In Spain, it is mandatory for everyone, including passengers on the backseat, to wear seatbelts. Failure to comply will result into a heavy fine of 200 euros, or 260 if you’re a repeat offender. Remember, seat belts can be the difference between life or death, so be sure to keep them on at all times when driving. Other Concerns Other laws you may want to take note of is that it’s prohibited to wear earphones and headphones while driving. Doing so prohibits you from hearing audio traffic cues such as car horns around. Children under the age of 12 and under 150 cm are not allowed to sit in front and are required to wear an approved car
If you’re renting a car in Gran Canaria to move around, learning the driving laws in the island is a definite must. The laws are quite similar compared to other Spanish territories and the European Union. For British citizens though, it will be an entirely eye-opening experience: the steering wheels are on the left-hand side. Apart from successfully renting a car to drive on, you need proper documents so you can legally traverse on the island’s roads Of course, you’ll need an international driver’s licence and your passport. So, now that you’re ready to go behind the wheel, here are some of the things you need to take note in order to drive safely on Gran Canaria’s roads: Handling Mobile Phones …show more content…
To legally use a phone or other devices, you need to veer away from a the road and look for a parking spot. As for using a GPS, you can only place it on the dashboard but not personally handle it. This law is a no-brainer, and avoiding it is a must if you don’t want to face a stiff fine. Driving Footwear Apart from having a clear line of sight of the road and both hands on the wheel, your feet need to be fully optimised for driving as well. It is prohibited to wear flip flops or going barefoot when driving in Gran Canaria. You need to wear closed-toed shoes when driving: doing so makes it easier to press on the pedals. Speed Limits Speed limits are pretty lenient on Gran Canaria, unless if you’re a speed devil. On the motorway, you are allowed to go on a maximum of 120 km/h. On roads in towns and cities, it is 50 km/h, unless stated otherwise. Remember, driving in Gran Canaria is a little challenging, since the landscape is pretty unique. There are cliffs and areas where you will be required to make sharp turns, so be sure to drive on a moderate …show more content…
Offenders face a 12-month licence suspension and a large fine or a few days in jail. If you’re intoxicated or are planning to be, it would be smart to just call a taxi or have a friend drive you back to your hotel. To be safe than sorry, you may also want to avoid being on medication, especially allergy drugs, if driving. Seat Belt Laws In Spain, it is mandatory for everyone, including passengers on the backseat, to wear seatbelts. Failure to comply will result into a heavy fine of 200 euros, or 260 if you’re a repeat offender. Remember, seat belts can be the difference between life or death, so be sure to keep them on at all times when driving. Other Concerns Other laws you may want to take note of is that it’s prohibited to wear earphones and headphones while driving. Doing so prohibits you from hearing audio traffic cues such as car horns around. Children under the age of 12 and under 150 cm are not allowed to sit in front and are required to wear an approved car