Scots headed to Spain for a holiday have been warned that they could be hit with fines if they drive petrol or diesel cars in certain areas.
With summer coming to a close, people across Scotland will be jetting off to Spain to make the most of the sun. However, experts have issued a warning to be weary of where you drive a petrol or diesel vehicle.
Managing Director of Airport Parking and Hotels (APH) stated that UK motorists could be hit with fees if they drive in certain areas abroad. Many cities across Europe have introduced low emission zones to combat pollution and congestion.
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As reported by the Express, he stated: “An increasing number of European countries are introducing low emission zones across cities and towns in a bid to reduce congestion and air pollution. With more destinations joining the list, it’s important drivers are aware of the rules and regulations before arriving on holiday.
“We hope the APH research will help savvy drivers ensure they have the correct fees, certificate or sticker displayed for their vehicle.”
Here is everything you need to know if you are heading to Spain for a holiday this summer and are planning on driving.
Low Emission Zones
Two major Spanish cities that have Low Emission Zones in place are Barcelona and Madrid. In order to drive within these zones on working days between 7am and 8pm, your vehicle is required to abide by Euro 3 petrol standards or Euro 4 diesel standards.
In addition, motorists will need to buy the appropriate vehicle badge for their car before going into the Low Emission Zone. In cases where an excess of NO2 pollution is detected, Barcelona may also ban all cars from entering the city centre.
The price of registering a car is €7, or £5.93), and motorists can be hit with fines of up to €200 (£169) if they fail to comply with the rules. Under new regulations, starting in 2023, all towns in Spain that have a population of 50,000 or more — as well as some with a population of around 20,000 — will be required to institute a Low Emissions Zone.
This is expected to affect around 150 towns and cities across the country.
Hiring cars
In order to hire a car, you must be at least 21 years old, though some companies will require you to be 23. Additionally, drivers under 25 will normally have to pay a young motorist surcharge, which can set you back over €20 (£17) a day.
Most car rental companies will also need you to use a credit card to hire a car.
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Driving licences
People from the UK living in Spain are still waiting for a decision to be reached between the UK and Spanish governments regarding whether they will be permitted to drive using their UK driving licence.
Sharing an update on Facebook earlier this week, the British Embassy said: “This week, we have continued working with the Spanish Government to settle the small number of outstanding points in the annexes. Concluding these negotiations remains our top priority and we will post an update as soon as we have developments to share.”
Safety equipment
Spanish law dictates that drivers must have a number of items in their vehicle to protect them in the case of an accident. Motorists are required to have two warning triangles in their vehicle in case of breakdown or accident, and also need beam deflectors.
While safety vests are not compulsory, failing to wear one when walking on a road or a hard shoulder could land you with a fine.
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