Driving in Spain as a Canada National

Spain features excellent autopistas, beautiful coastal drives, and vibrant cities. EU licenses are accepted; others may need an IDP. Watch out for ZBE low-emission zones in major cities.

Key Things to Know First

No IDP Typically Required

Spain generally accepts foreign licences for short-term visitors. Carry your original licence and passport at all times.

Same Side of the Road

Both Canada and Spain drive on the right. No adjustment needed.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Rule	Canada	Spain	Change?
Traffic side	Right-hand traffic	Right-hand traffic	Same
Speed unit	km/h	km/h	Same
IDP required	—	No	No
Min. driving age	16	18	Differs
Emergency number	911	112	Different
Road difficulty	Easy	Moderate	—

Speed Limits in Spain

Urban

20–50 km/h

Rural / Open road

90 km/h

Highway / Motorway

120 km/h

Documents to Carry in Spain

Original driving licence from Canada — must be valid and unexpired
Passport or national ID — carry at all times while driving
Car insurance certificate — verify it covers Spain before departure
Vehicle registration / rental agreement

Emergency Number in Spain

112

112 is the pan-European emergency number, widely accepted across many countries worldwide.

Emergency numbers for all countries

Full Spain Driving Guide

Road rules, toll system, fuel types, parking, regional quirks — everything you need for driving in Spain.

Read the complete guide