Chapter 2: Use of Public Roads

1. Parts of the road

Carriageway (UK)/Roadway (USA): Automobiles and special vehicles with a MAM over 3500kg normally use the carriageway/roadway.

Hard Shoulder: If no route is specifically provided, the following vehicles must use the right shoulder when it is passable and wide enough; otherwise, use only the necessary part of the carriageway:

• Special vehicles 3500kg or less
• 2-wheeled and 3-wheeled mopeds and light quadricycles
• Cycles
• Animal-drawn vehicles and vehicles following cyclists
• Vehicles for people with reduced mobility
• Vehicles with a MAM up to 3500kg travelling abnormally slowly in an emergency and seriously disrupting traffic

Note: Bicycles may ride two abreast on the shoulder. If it is absent or unsuitable, they may use the necessary carriageway space, but must ride single file there when visibility is poor, traffic flow is affected, at night or in poor-visibility weather. Mopeds must ride single file. On long winding descents, bicycles may use the necessary right-hand carriageway space when safe, except on autovías, where they must stay on the shoulder.

Pedestrians use a pedestrian area when available, otherwise the shoulder or, if unsuitable, the necessary carriageway space, normally on the left. People pushing a cycle, two-wheeled moped or VMP and organised groups under a leader use the right; safety may justify another side.

Motorcycles may use the right shoulder only on sections authorised by fixed signs and road markings, when normal traffic is stopped by congestion, single file at no more than 30 km/h, without endangering regular shoulder users and leaving the shoulder if necessary.

Standards of conduct, prohibitions:

• Throwing objects on the road
• Driving with unapproved tinted glass
• Using the phone without hands-free
• Wearing headphones while driving; approved wireless devices integrated into motorcycle/moped helmets are allowed for communication or navigation when safe
• Using video or internet screens while moving, except navigation or necessary driving cameras; do not handle a navigation device while driving
• Carrying radar detectors or jammers (location-warning systems are allowed)
• Driving with noise levels above those permitted
• Releasing more exhaust through the exhaust pipe (UK) / tail pipe (USA) than allowed
• Driving without an exhaust silencer(UK) / muffler(USA)
• When refuelling: stop the engine, disconnect the electrical systems and switch off mobile phones

2. Vehicle traffic

• Interurban roads: Located outside built-up areas, drive in the right lane as a general rule.
• 3-lane two-way interurban road: Travel is in the right lane, to overtake and change directions to the left, the centre lane may be used.
• Interurban road with 3 or more lanes in the same direction: Normally keep right. Trucks/panel vans over 3500kg MAM, special vehicles not required to use the shoulder, and all vehicle combinations over 7m long may use only the rightmost lane and the one immediately beside it.
• Urban roads: On roads with at least 2 marked lanes in the same direction, except motorways and autovías, drivers may use the lane best suited to their destination without obstructing others.

Urban bicycles and VMP: Prefer the centre of the lane; on roads with at least 2 lanes per direction, use the rightmost except to turn or for safety. Motor vehicles following them in the same urban lane must leave at least 5 metres. Bicycles should preferably use cycle routes, which are mandatory for them where signed R-407a.

VMP: Minimum age 15, one rider and a helmet. No riding on pavements/sidewalks, motorways, autovías or cross-town roads (travesías). Interurban roads and urban tunnels are also prohibited, except authorised cycle facilities with the relevant signs, or roads closed to motor vehicles, unless signs prohibit VMP. Municipal rules determine authorised urban routes. Municipalities may allow children up to 12 to cycle on sidewalks with an adult on foot; pedestrians retain priority.

3. Special lanes:

RAO
Obligations	Reversible	Additional	Opposite-Direction
Dipped headlights day and night	YES	YES	YES
Speed between 60-80 km/h, unless a lower limit is signed	NO	YES	YES
Only passenger cars without trailers and motorcycles; for roadworks, all vehicles normally authorised on that road may enter	NO	NO	YES

The initials of each special lane form the word RAO. The first obligation is lighting, the second is speed, and the third is access restriction.

Reversible: Usually located in a built-up area, they are marked by lane traffic lights and double dashed road markings.

Additional: This lane can be used by all vehicles except those required to travel on the hard shoulder. The speed and lighting rules apply to all vehicles travelling on the carriageway/roadway.

Opposite direction: This lane does not allow: overtaking, moving to the side or crossing the imaginary line formed by cones

VAO Lane: High occupancy vehicle lane:

• Can be used by:
• Cars, adaptable mixed vehicles, and motorcycles up to 3500kg and carrying the number of occupants indicated by the signage
• Priority vehicles on urgent duty and road-maintenance teams
• Otherwise eligible vehicles displaying V-15 or a disabled parking card, even with the driver alone
• Buses over 3500kg MAM and articulated buses when authorised for that section, regardless of occupancy
• They cannot be used by:
• Lorries/trucks, vehicle combinations (including cars with trailers), cycles, mopeds, VMP, pedestrians, animal-drawn vehicles and animals, unless expressly authorised under the applicable rules

Bus lane: Reserved for the vehicles indicated by the signs, normally buses. Taxis may use it if also indicated.

Deceleration lane: For exiting a high-speed road. Drivers should access this lane as soon as possible.

Acceleration lane: For entering a high-speed road. Drivers must give way, even stopping at its beginning if necessary, then accelerate to merge safely.

4. Congestion and snow

On motorways/autovías when traffic is stopped or moving at walking pace, create an emergency corridor for approaching priority vehicles: the leftmost lane moves left and all other lanes move right. When snow hinders traffic, do not overtake; use the rightmost lane (and the next lane if there are at least 3), leaving the remaining left-hand lanes free for emergency vehicles and snowploughs.