Yes, You Can Be Fined For Staying In The Left Lane In Spain – Here’s What The Dgt Wants You To Know

If you’ve spent clip driving connected Spanish motorways, you’ve astir apt noticed a acquainted scene: nan right-hand lane practically empty, while nan centre and near lanes travel steadily pinch cars – moreover erstwhile nary 1 is overtaking anything.

It’s go 1 of nan astir communal habits connected nan road, almost a caller ‘normal’ measurement of driving. But nan Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) is reminding drivers that this behaviour isn’t conscionable discouraged – it’s against nan law, and it tin costs you a €200 fine.

The norm itself isn’t new, and it’s written intelligibly successful nan Reglamento General de Circulación (RGC). On immoderate motorway aliases dual carriageway pinch much than 1 lane successful nan aforesaid direction, drivers must usage nan lane furthest to nan right. The near and centre lanes are not for cruising; they are reserved chiefly for overtaking. Once nan overtaking manoeuvre is finished, drivers are expected to return to nan correct lane.

Yet, nan reality connected Spanish roads tells a different story. Over time, galore drivers person adopted nan centre aliases near lanes arsenic their default position – sometimes because they judge it’s safer, sometimes because they consciousness it keeps them moving faster, and sometimes simply retired of habit. The DGT says that this wide believe is not only incorrect, but besides contributes to 1 of nan issues that causes nan astir conflict and consequence connected nan road: unnecessary lane changes.

Why This Rule Exists – and Why nan DGT Is Pushing It Now

The logic down nan norm is straightforward. When everyone uses nan correct lane, postulation moves much predictably. Cars overtaking cognize what to expect. Vehicles merging cognize wherever nan gaps will be. And astir importantly, location are less abrupt manoeuvres – nan benignant that origin adjacent misses, difficult braking, and collisions.

The DGT emphasises that respecting lane usage could forestall galore of nan vulnerable situations drivers look daily, particularly overtaking connected nan right, a manoeuvre that galore edifice to erstwhile disappointment by drivers camping successful nan near lane. And while it whitethorn consciousness for illustration a applicable solution successful nan moment, overtaking connected nan correct is not conscionable frowned upon – it is illegal, and treated much earnestly than simply staying successful nan incorrect lane.

Driving continuously successful nan near lane without origin is punishable by a €200 fine, though it does not consequence successful nan nonaccomplishment of licence points. But overtaking connected nan correct carries a €200 good plus a nonaccomplishment of 4 points. The connection is clear: 2 wrongs do not make a correct – moreover erstwhile nan driver up is successful nan incorrect lane.

The Exceptions – Because yes, location are a few

The wide norm is firm, but nan DGT does recognise definite exceptions. You whitethorn temporarily usage different lane erstwhile basal – for example, to debar a stopped vehicle, let personification to merge, aliases hole for an exit. But these situations are impermanent and practical, not an invitation to dainty nan near lane arsenic your individual travelling zone.

As for overtaking connected nan right, location are only 2 lawful circumstances:

• When nan conveyance up has intelligibly signalled that it is turning near aliases stopping.
• In cities, erstwhile roadworthy lanes are specifically marked for different directions aliases speeds.

Outside of those cases, connected motorways and dual carriageways, overtaking connected nan correct is strictly forbidden.

A Matter of Safety, Not Just Order

This isn’t conscionable astir etiquette aliases organisation. According to 2025 road safety data, nan astir deadly type of mishap remains leaving nan roadway, accounting for 43 per cent of roadworthy deaths, followed by head-on collisions, which dress up 23 per cent. Both types of collisions are powerfully linked to erratic manoeuvres and unpredictability connected nan roadworthy – precisely what due lane subject is meant to prevent.

The DGT argues that if drivers simply returned to nan correct aft overtaking, roads would beryllium calmer, lane changes fewer, and overtaking clearer and safer. In short: nan norm is not astir power – it’s astir keeping postulation flowing successful a measurement that reduces consequence for everyone.

In nan End, nan Message is simple

You don’t request to overthink it:

Right lane to drive.
Left lane to overtake.

If there’s room connected nan right, that’s wherever your car belongs.

And if you enactment successful nan near lane without a logic – moreover if you’re keeping up pinch nan postulation – don’t beryllium amazed if 1 day, that wont costs you €200.

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