What do you need to take with you

Checklist

If you’re a full UK Driving Licence holder aged 18 or over you can drive in Spain. And if you’ve already set aside your passport, driving licence, vehicle registration document (V5C), motor insurance certificate and travel insurance documents, you’re almost ready to take to the roads in Spain. Additionally, here is a handy checklist to consider whilst preparing for your trip to Spain.

Reflective jacket - Chaleco reflectante

When immobilised at the side of motorways and busy roads, it's necessary to wear a reflective jacket if you and any passengers exit the car.

Warning triangle - Triangulo de advertencia

In the event of a breakdown or incident, a warning triangle is an easy way to warn approaching traffic. However, Spain is phasing in V-16 emergency lights in their place on motorways and dual carriageways. The lights are magnetised and sit on your vehicle’s roof in an emergency, yet they are small enough to fit in your glovebox. 

Spare tyre - SU spar

It’s compulsory to carry a spare tyre, plus the appropriate equipment to change it or repair it.

Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) - Tarjeta Sanitaria global

It’s well worth carrying your Global Health Insurance Card with you as it gives you access to state-provided healthcare in Spain at a reduced rate, or on some occasions for free. It shouldn’t substitute for travel insurance but can make life easier in the event of the unexpected.

UK sticker - Reino Unido pegatina

If you’re driving a British vehicle make sure you display a UK sticker. If not, you run the risk of being stopped and issued with a fine.

Headlamp converters - Les unidades de conversion luz de cruce

When driving on the opposite side of the road, all vehicle headlights will cause dazzle. Therefore, it’s essential your lights are adjusted as failing to do so can pose a risk and could invalidate your insurance. This is simple to do with headlamp converter kits, or if you’re unsure speak to your car dealer for assistance.

Check Your Car Insurance Policy

Be sure to find out the level of cover your car insurance policy will give you in Spain. Your policy should offer at least the minimum cover needed by law to drive in the country, however, in some cases it will be the same as you receive in the UK. If you only have minimal coverage and would like more, speak to your provider as this can usually be provided for a fee, or sometimes for free. Take a look at your policy documents to see which countries you’re covered in or speak to your provider for more details.

Car Hire Excess Insurance

If you plan to hire a car when you touch down in Spain, consider taking out Car Hire Excess Insurance through Insurance4carhire at Swinton. Having cover in place whilst you’re driving abroad means you can claim back excess charges if the car gets damaged, or you’re involved in an accident, and you need to make an insurance claim on your rental vehicle.

While you'd initially have to pay towards the claim, the excess insurance means that you'd be reimbursed up to your maximum cover amount, which you'd not get back otherwise.

Sat nav

Many motorists wouldn’t dream of setting off on a long journey without their sat nav. They can certainly prove extremely useful in helping you get from A to B, especially when you’re not exactly sure where B is!

Before taking your sat nav to Spain, consider the following…

• Make sure it has the appropriate information relating to Spanish roads. If you’re unsure, it’s worth consulting the manual or speaking to the manufacturer to find out how this information can be added.
• Speed camera detectors are illegal across most of Europe, however, systems offering databases of known fixed camera locations are fine. To be on the safe side it’s worth disabling any radar detector feature on your sat nav. If you have an inbuilt system with this feature, the vehicle manufacturer should be your first point of contact.

Correct at the time of publication. Information in this article has been gathered from various sources, therefore Swinton cannot be held responsible for any view or opinion expressed herein.

Insurance through Swinton and Safeguard

• Car Hire Excess Insurance - Get excess charges reimbursed on insurance for rental cars
• Car Insurance - A flexible range of policies for a wide range of cars and drivers
• Breakdown Cover - Flexible cover to help get you back on the road
• Touring Caravan Insurance - European cover included as standard
• Motorhome Insurance - European cover included as standard

Driving abroad

Be sure to check out our other driving abroad guides:

Looking for something else?