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These are the only times drivers are allowed to reverse their cars on Spanish roads

Reversing a vehicle is a dangerous practice and is prohibited in most cases throughout Spain

Backing into a tight parking space or avoiding an obstruction on the road often necessitates the manoeuvre of reversing but in Spain, driving backwards is considered highly dangerous and banned in most cases. According to the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), reversing is very strictly regulated so it’s important to know when you can and can’t back up your car to avoid falling foul of the law.

The Traffic and Road Safety legislation specifies that drivers are allowed to reverse "when it is not possible to go forward or change direction or direction of travel and as a complementary manoeuvre to others."

This essentially means that motorists can drive in reverse in order to make a stop, park or join traffic, once the backing-up distance doesn’t exceed 15 metres or involve driving over a crossroads. In addition, the traffic authorities specify that reversing must be carried out slowly with correct signalling. And, of course, motorists should never drive backwards if the manoeuvre will put other road users at risk.

On motorways and dual carriageways, high capacity roads on which cars travel much faster, reversing is strictly prohibited. It’s considered a serious offence and flouters will face hefty fines and have several points removed from their licences. On these busier thoroughfares, only drivers of priority vehicles such as the police, Guardia Civil, firefighters and ambulances are allowed to back up and even then, only in exceptional circumstances where it can’t be avoided.

The RSM rule

Even in cases where reversing is permitted, the DGT advises drivers to follow the RSM rule:

Rearview mirror: check that it’s safe to reverse as often as necessary.
Signal: Always indicate the direction of travel so as not to catch other road users off guard.
Manoeuvre: only put the car into reverse after following the previous two steps.

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Image 1: Freepik

Image 2: DGT

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