https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Spain in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed If you are unfortunately involved in a minor traffic accident, there are certain steps you need to take to make sure you can file an insurance claim correctly. https://www.thelocal.es/20260925/fender-bender-the-steps-to-follow-if-you-have-a-minor-car-collision-in-spain Fri, 25 Sep 2026 09:54:39 +0200 fender-bender-the-steps-to-follow-if-you-have-a-minor-car-collision-in-spain Many drivers in Spain wonder if having a camera in your vehicle is legal. These are some rules you need to follow if you want to do it legally and avoid fines, as well as the grey areas. https://www.thelocal.es/20231123/whats-the-law-on-dash-cams-in-spain Thu, 23 Nov 2023 12:41:43 +0100 whats-the-law-on-dash-cams-in-spain Spain's DGT traffic authority is trialling so-called 'red lanes' that change function depending on the time of day as a means of lowering congestion on the country's roads. Here's why many drivers won't be able to use these 'carriles rojos' (red lanes). https://www.thelocal.es/20260909/what-drivers-in-spain-need-to-know-about-the-upcoming-red-lanes Wed, 09 Sep 2026 11:30:40 +0200 what-drivers-in-spain-need-to-know-about-the-upcoming-red-lanes The traffic light rules at pedestrian crossings are set to change in Spain. Here's what you really think about the new law, plus your views on driving in here in general. https://www.thelocal.es/20260831/it-makes-good-sense-your-verdict-on-spains-traffic-light-rule-change Mon, 31 Aug 2026 12:39:24 +0200 it-makes-good-sense-your-verdict-on-spains-traffic-light-rule-change If you're a driver or a pedestrian in Spain, certain crossings will work a little differently starting from this October. Here's what you need to know. https://www.thelocal.es/20260827/explained-how-traffic-lights-will-change-in-spain-in-october Thu, 27 Aug 2026 10:30:08 +0200 explained-how-traffic-lights-will-change-in-spain-in-october Have you noticed that petrol and diesel prices have become considerably more expensive in Spain over the past two months? Here's why, and whether you should expect more price hikes over the coming months. https://www.thelocal.es/20260820/why-the-steep-rise-in-fuel-prices-this-summer-in-spain-and-will-it-get-cheaper Thu, 20 Aug 2026 10:36:35 +0200 why-the-steep-rise-in-fuel-prices-this-summer-in-spain-and-will-it-get-cheaper If you're driving from Spain to Portugal, here's what you need to know about speed and alcohol limits, the regular toll and e-toll systems as well as other key considerations for a country with a different set of road rules. https://www.thelocal.es/20260814/everything-you-need-to-know-about-driving-from-spain-to-portugal Fri, 14 Aug 2026 14:29:55 +0200 everything-you-need-to-know-about-driving-from-spain-to-portugal If you're an American moving to Spain and want to continue driving here, you'll most likely have to resit your exam. Here are the differences between the two countries you should be aware of. https://www.thelocal.es/20250509/the-differences-between-getting-your-driving-licence-in-spain-and-the-us Fri, 09 May 2025 16:18:41 +0200 the-differences-between-getting-your-driving-licence-in-spain-and-the-us Spain has made a raft of changes to its traffic rules, with many important updates for motorcyclists, cyclists and e-scooter riders as well as motorhome and regular motor vehicle drivers. https://www.thelocal.es/20260624/the-new-rules-for-bike-motorbike-and-e-scooter-riders-in-spain-in-2026 Wed, 24 Jun 2026 12:49:39 +0200 the-new-rules-for-bike-motorbike-and-e-scooter-riders-in-spain-in-2026 Want to sell your car in Spain? There are a few different costs you will have to pay if you do so, from transfer tax to change of ownership fees. https://www.thelocal.es/20250310/what-taxes-and-fees-do-i-have-to-pay-when-selling-my-car-in-spain Mon, 10 Mar 2025 11:26:50 +0100 what-taxes-and-fees-do-i-have-to-pay-when-selling-my-car-in-spain The Balearic island of Mallorca has proposed a new law which will restrict access to the approximately 400,000 vehicles that enter the island via its ports every summer, with hefty fines for offenders. https://www.thelocal.es/20260610/spains-mallorca-to-limit-cars-in-bid-to-tackle-traffic-congestion Wed, 10 Jun 2026 10:02:51 +0200 spains-mallorca-to-limit-cars-in-bid-to-tackle-traffic-congestion If you get a traffic fine in Spain in the future, the amount you pay could soon be tied to your income. https://www.thelocal.es/20260608/spain-mulls-traffic-fines-based-on-income Mon, 08 Jun 2026 11:47:17 +0200 spain-mulls-traffic-fines-based-on-income With average waiting lists of up to six months in some regions, driving school groups and Spain's traffic authority are pointing to different reasons (and each other) to explain why learner drivers and hauliers must wait so long to take their practical test. https://www.thelocal.es/20260521/four-to-six-months-why-waiting-times-for-spains-driving-tests-are-so-long Thu, 21 May 2026 10:42:56 +0200 four-to-six-months-why-waiting-times-for-spains-driving-tests-are-so-long The head of Spain's DGT has defended the compulsory yet highly controversial V-16 emergency lights, saying that “they are here to stay and there's no going back” for these devices that cost €30 to €50 and are meant to replace warning triangles. https://www.thelocal.es/20260512/no-going-back-spains-traffic-boss-rules-out-scrapping-v-16-light Tue, 12 May 2026 14:13:51 +0200 no-going-back-spains-traffic-boss-rules-out-scrapping-v-16-light Unions are targeting traditionally busy travel days during Spain's long May Day 'puente' in calling for walkouts by petrol station staff. https://www.thelocal.es/20260421/spanish-unions-call-petrol-station-strike-over-may-bank-holiday-weekend Tue, 21 Apr 2026 09:47:06 +0200 spanish-unions-call-petrol-station-strike-over-may-bank-holiday-weekend Most non-EU drivers who move to Spain need to resit their driving test in order to be able to get behind the wheel here. But is there an option to do the practical exam with an automatic vehicle in a country where most cars are manual? https://www.thelocal.es/20240916/can-you-do-your-driving-test-in-spain-with-an-automatic-car Mon, 16 Sep 2024 15:50:11 +0200 can-you-do-your-driving-test-in-spain-with-an-automatic-car War in the Middle East has caused energy market volatility around the globe, forcing governments in Europe to intervene and keep fuel costs down for consumers. https://www.thelocal.es/20260328/what-are-european-countries-doing-to-keep-fuel-costs-down Sat, 28 Mar 2026 14:13:15 +0100 what-are-european-countries-doing-to-keep-fuel-costs-down Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced Friday a sweeping package worth €5 billion ($5.8 billion) aimed at cushioning the economic impact of the Middle East war, including a "drastic reduction" in energy-related taxes. https://www.thelocal.es/20260320/rent-fuel-and-bills-spain-to-spend-e5-billion-to-ease-middle-east-war-fallout Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:32:36 +0100 rent-fuel-and-bills-spain-to-spend-e5-billion-to-ease-middle-east-war-fallout Several Spanish political parties have rejected a proposal to lower the drink-driving limit in Spain, with the ruling Socialists accusing the PP and Vox of "bowing to the beer and wine lobbies". https://www.thelocal.es/20260319/spain-rejects-proposal-to-lower-drink-driving-limit Thu, 19 Mar 2026 17:42:33 +0100 spain-rejects-proposal-to-lower-drink-driving-limit Fuel prices at Spanish pumps have risen sharply since the start of the Middle East war, with diesel climbing more than 20 percent, government data showed Tuesday. https://www.thelocal.es/20260310/spains-fuel-prices-surge-following-war-in-middle-east Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:19:41 +0100 spains-fuel-prices-surge-following-war-in-middle-east