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Expats beware, speed limits are different for vans with no seats
Seats in the back makes a difference of 30kph on motorways.
Many of us, particularly those who have decided to work in Spain rather than just living here, have invested in light commercial vehicles, perhaps without realizing all of the consequences, or in some cases even without realizing that the vehicle we use on an everyday basis is not officially described as a car but as a van.
The problem is that some models of vehicle, such as the Citroën Berlingo or the Peugeot Partner, come in different versions, for example with or without rear windows, including or excluding rear passenger seats, etc. As a result of these differences they may be classified as a “furgón” (a van, or a small lorry) or a mixed purpose vehicle, or even a normal passenger vehicle. The classification into which your vehicle falls will tell you how it is registered by the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico), and the exact details are extremely complex but you can see the classification on the vehicle registration documents.
Knowing the difference is vital, as lack of knowledge can lead to a hefty, and extremely unwelcome fine.
In the vehicle registration certificate there is a section entitled “clasificación”, which consists of a four-figure code plus a brief description. If this four-figure code begins “24”, then your vehicle is a “furgón”, and has closed container space. For a normal car the code is “10”. The second two digits define any specialized use for the vehicle: for example, if your “furgón” is refrigerated, the code will be “2425”. A code of “2400” means that it is an all-purpose, non-specific “furgón”.
But what owners may not realize is that although the mechanics, size and engine of their vehicle are the same regardless of whether they have seats in the back or have opted for practical empty space, the designation of “furgón” or “furgoneta” implies a different set of rules, and that failure to obey these rules can result in a heavy fine.
For example, if you own a “furgón” then you will need to have it ITV-tested more frequently than you would a car. The first ITV test must be after two years, followed by others after four and six years, then every year until the vehicle is ten years old. After this date the ITV is needed every six months.
Another important fact to be aware of is that your furgón falls into the same speed limit category as lorries. Therefore the speed limit you have to obey is not necessarily the one on the road signs, except in built-up areas: in general it is 20 kph lower, but on motorways it is 30 kph lower.
So, on the motorway, if the speed limit for most road users is 120, you can be fined for exceeding 90 kph. If the speed limit on the motorway or dual carriageway is 100 kph, as it is on many stretches, then you ought to be travelling no faster than 80. If you are using “other conventional roads”, as the Spanish legislation refers to any road with more than one lane per direction or with a hard shoulder at least 1.50 metres wide, then the national speed limit is 90 kph, but you will be infringing the law if you travel faster than 70.
Bear in mind also that your “furgón” is normally designed to carry a maximum loaded weight of 3,500 kg, and that as such it is both important and a legal requirement to ensure that the tyres you use are appropriate to bear such a weight, even if you never carry that much. If your vehicle is authorized to carry more than 3,500 kg, you need a different licence in order to drive it legally.
Summary of national speed limits:
On motorways (autopistas and autovías): 120 kph for normal passenger vehicles, 90 kph for vans, 90 kph for cars with trailers over 750kg.
On other main roads (dual carriageways or with hard shoulder more than 1.5m wide): 100 kph for normal passenger vehicles, 80 kph for vans, also 80 kph for cars with trailers.
On other non-urban roads: 90 kph for normal passenger vehicles, 70 kph for vans and for cars with trailers.
On urban roads the speed limit is the same for passenger vehicles and vans.
Eds Note. This piece was researched as the Ed has a “furgón” which has no rear seats and only discovered that the speed limit was different for this vehicle after being stopped on a dual carriageway and fined 300 euros for exceeding the speed limit. Technically, the Ed was just marginally over the speed limit shown on the sign- 100kph – and in spite of driving a “furgón” for 10 years, had no idea that the speed limits were different for this vehicle, which only has a 1.9 engine. It doesn´t seem logical to treat a small 1.9cc van the same as a whopping great lorry carrying tons of materials. Had she been aware that she could only drive at 90kph on a national motorway, she would have bought exactly the same white van but with seats in the back, as it is impractical for small businesspeople to drive around like tortoises on the national highways when they are trying desperately to earn enough money to meet their monthly mortgage payments. Yet another insane Spanish law which penalizes small businesses, which is the target market for small, practical vehicles like these, and is applied so infrequently that the national debt could probably be cleared in a week were the police to start sitting on motorways more regularly with their speed guns.
So be aware if you have one of these vans, the speed limits are not the same should you decide it’s more important to have a secure vehicle which can´t be seen into, than a four door version with seats in the back and a big sign saying please steal my camera and laptop from the back of my vehicle while I grab a coffee.
Thank goodness we haven´t had the signwriting done on this latest replacement old van after the last one blew up during Semana Santa week and can try to get it changed for one with seats in the back!
Either that, or reschedule appointments for sometime next week to allow for the increased driving time!
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