Driving on a vacation in Spain

stevew72 · Newbie

Driving on a vacation in Spain

Dickodownunder · Guru

Welcome to the forum stevew72.

Are you using a travel agent?
If so maybe they have the information necessary.
Enjoy your travels.

palaceboy · Veteran Member

Have you driven left hand drive before? I tried it for the first time in Spain about 5 years back, totally freaked me out. I managed to get from Alicante Airport to Torrevieja and wouldn't get back in the car for 3 days afterwards. Then I walked to the closest roundabout and stood and watched the cars movements for about 45 mins before deciding to get back in it again. I dont think I've ever been so stressed in my entire life. IMO it's not the kind of thing one should be attempting for the first time in their late 50's.

I will give it another go, however I'm going to try in the US next time, where the roads are supposedly much easier and go Host AirBNB and hopefully can get the host to come along with me and give me some tips/advice.

Dickodownunder · Guru

Did you drive on an Aussie Licence palaceboy ?

palaceboy · Veteran Member

I think I got a international licence from the RACV before I went for the hiring purposes, I also had my very old UK licence which lasts a lifetime as backup..... That piece of paper lasts from 1973 to 2023!

Edit, just confirmed by asking the wife, I definitely used an international supplied by the RACV.

-- Edited by palaceboy on Saturday 20th of October 2018 02:25:33 PM

Dickodownunder · Guru

Thanks mate...

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

Yes, you need an International Drivers Licence (which is simply a translation of your existing license) to drive in Spain with an Australian Drivers License. These cost about $30 from your local motoring organisation and are valid for 1 year (a total rip off, in my view).
We had 6 months in a motorhome in Europe for each year 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Yes, you need to keep your wits about you and have a knowledge of the local laws.
Cheers,
Peter

The Belmont Bear · Guru

Welcome to the forum Stevew72 - I have driven on the opposite side of the road in quite a few different places around the world and once I become aclimatised to the changeover there really is no difference driving on either side. I found that the biggest drama I had was when there were no other cars on the road and I had to turn at an intersection or enter a roundabout. When I first swap over there is a period of time when I try to conciously keep in my mind where the center line should be and that helps me when turning into cross streets or entering rounadabouts, after a day or 2 it will normally become automatic. I even found a few times after I got home I have turned into streets and had to quickly take stock of whether I was on the correct side or not. When I was working in France or driving in Europe an International License was good but I still carried my NSW licence as backup and always had my passport with me. You will need to take a passport photo to your local NRMA, RACV or whatever organisation covers the state that you are in to get your international licence as well as paying them the $30 fee. Photo licences are a must even when travelling in third world countries.

By the way it is an advantage having a car with the steering wheel on the correct side - nothing funnier than watching pommie tourists getting abused on the continent and probably vice versa for the continental tourists in Britian.

Happy travels
BB

-- Edited by The Belmont Bear on Saturday 20th of October 2018 05:04:03 PM

Greystone · Senior Member

Lived and worked in The Netherlands for a number of years, so got used driving on the right hand side when traveling all over Europe. However, never got used to the chaotic traffic in Spain, France and Italy. It was terrifying at times and I think I survived only because we had a large car. The biggest risk is when you are fatigued and the sole driver the road. At those times you could "fall back" onto your Ozzie instincts and end up on the left hand side of the road. Now I am 60+, would I drive in those countries again? No way!

Dougwe · Chief one feather

Welcome to the gang Stevew72, enjoy here and out in the playground.

I have never been overseas, well unless Phillip Island in VIC is OS, so, don't know about licence arrangements etc but just wanted to welcome you to this great forum.

Keep Safe on the roads and out there (Here or OS)