Driving in Lanzarote (Things you should & shouldn’t do)

[@ozpetale9067]

Just came home last week from lanzarote. As a cyclist, you can usually tell who's a tourist with a hire car .as the locals mostly give you plenty of room .

[@johnwordley3285]

Many thanks again that makes more sense about the alcohol limit. We also like to thank you for all the local information which be watch each week.

[@nicklodge7770]

@@johnwordley3285 I obviously missed the bit about alcohol, must watch it again.

[@thebigsweed1773]

Nice 1 Mike, didn't know about parking in a road facing the correct direction. 😊

[@roderickmacgregor4867]

Hi there coming in two days so very informative and clear instructions glad i took time to watch. Thanks

[@LanzaroteInformation]

Glad it was helpful!

[@nicklodge7770]

Absolutely brilliant, many thanks. Even after driving in Lanzarote for 25 years I’ve learnt something new!!! Only ever park in the direction of travel and always have your drivers license with you, great info. I’ve driven on the continent for the last 40+ years but one problem I always need to pay attention to is where I position myself in the lane - I often drift a bit to the right and I get complaints from my passenger about being in the gutter, something else to think about.

[@dk785]

Thanks Mike, some good information. As a very frequent visitor who always has a hire car I stick religiously to speed limits (too many of my friends have picked up speeding tickets). I always set the cruise control to the limit but am often frustrated as many of the local drivers seem to think the limits are advisory!! Consequently one finds oneself very closely tailgated with a long line of cars behind you. I cite the 50 limit through Macher as a prime example. I know this happens in all countries but seems somehow far more prevalent on the island. Advice - be prepared for it and don't be intimidated! I pull over when I can, as you suggest, even though I'm doing the limit.

[@lizbrearley97UK]

@@dk785 I really don't like that bit of road in Macher now the limit is so low. I stick to the limit, but it is intimidating to have cars, taxis and coaches behind you, no doubt cursing you. I regularly pull in and let traffic past on many roads, as I don't want to be in anyone's way, but also don't want the stress. However, there are certain roads where that's just not possible.

Detailed and informative. Thank you.

[@alexh3983]

Ah, Mike. If only this video had been published 24 hours earlier! I am one of those folk you mentioned at the start who has driven for many years on holiday on Lanzarote. Sods law, I fell foul of "parking in the wrong direction" law and have had to pay €40 euros today for my lesson! Great videos. Thanks loads for making these.

[@LanzaroteInformation]

@@alexh3983 Drat. So sorry I didn’t post it sooner.

[@alexh3983]

Not to worry Mike. I know better now and it hasnt dampened my delight at being on this lovely island once more.​@@LanzaroteInformation

[@mikebull1972]

I've driven on the island twice, which were my first experiences of driving on 'the wrong'(!) side. I treated the second time as if I had never done it before, and always try and take good care. One or two impatient locals aside (even if I am doing the limit) I have found it to be a nice experience- the scenery is just stunning, and I couldn't imagine just staying in a resort and not getting out and about. Still found this video informative though, thank you Mike.

[@collettemcgowan2296]

Hi mike thank you for all the information on driving in lanzarote.when we go over we always hire a car love ti drive..enjoy the sceenery..bit its good to be brought up to scratch on the way we drive and how to drive properly and safely around lanzarote.thank you for update mike cheers frim colette from trim 😊😊.

[@badboyaph1]

Thanks Mike for a very informative video. This is very useful 👍🏻

[@timmy2916]

Thank you very much indeed

[@sidbroughton8750]

Good information sir.

[@miker2023]

Great info regarding the parking Mike. I wasn't aware of that requirement. I have always found plenty of available parking everywhere in Lanzarote.

[@suecripps67]

Very informative. Thanks Mike

[@InquisitiveEndeavour]

Great video, but we were gutted you didn't mention the flashing traffic lights. It always confusioning 😅 is it to get you to slow down? Or stop

[@LanzaroteInformation]

The flashing lights warn you that you are coming into a low speed zone, usually 50kph. Drop your speed below that and the next set of red lights will change before you arrive. If you are over that limit, they will remain red and you’ll have to stop.

[@InquisitiveEndeavour]

​@@LanzaroteInformationah, Thanks for replying and clearing up that for us

[@VMS-g1j]

Excellent info Thanks for mentioning the parking rules 👍😁

[@pob5thousand]

Great video Mike, despite 15 years of driving in Spain I learnt 3 new things! Just on the attended service stations, I normally give a euro or two tip to the attendant, is this common practice?

[@LanzaroteInformation]

@@pob5thousand Our cars are both electric now, so we don’t use gas stations anymore. But when we did, for sure, we used to give the attendant at our local garage a tip every few fill ups.

[@emilfratrikdrums]

Great info Mike, thanx!...one reminder about roundabouts: if you come from a country where it is MANDATORY to turn on the turn signal ONLY before LEAVING the roundabout, be careful. This rule obviously doesn´t apply in the Canary Islands (and also in continental Spain). Turn signals are obviously (not)used here on roundabouts according to the "driver's mood" or the country of his origin. Take care and drive safely!

[@Chris3141592]

Hurrah! The roundabout mystery is solved!!!!

[@raymondbeattie7133]

Got a ticket coming back from tequise last week, where i got confused on getting into a service station on the left on top of the hill, there was a no entry sign first and a police check on the entrance next, i crossed over a double white line in front of them and the police weren't happy lol 100€ on the spot and this was 50% discounted

[@LanzaroteInformation]

Yes, that’s a definite fine crossing the lines there. Ouch.

[@johnmcfarlane417]

Mike we arrived on Saturday and have Walked far miles already 😊

[@RobbThompson]

Hi Mike, We drive on the island often when we stay in La Vagueta, which is all over the island but mostly north. One of the curiosities and specifics I have never really looked into is the traffic lights in the smaller villages, which are usually red until you are in close proximity. Are there any special considerations around these apart from the universal language of red equals stop?

[@LanzaroteInformation]

As long as your speed is under the limit, which for most of those lights is 50KPH, they will change before you get to them. If you’re speeding, they will remain red, and you’ll have to stop.

[@bripayton3723]

Taxis to Player blanca regularly go over 180km/h at night. It's dangerous!

[@johnnymac26]

Great info as always but i must admit i never drive that would be a busman's holiday for me ha ha

[@StephenFarmer-x6i]

Hi Mike do you know if you require a fishing license for fishing from the shore with rod and line thanks

[@LanzaroteInformation]

Yes, you should have a licence: lanzaroteinformation.co.uk/shore-fishing-lanzarote/

[@pembsbear]

Hi I am visiting island soon....stupid question, I know......please refresh my memory from my visit many moons ago.....the amber/yellow lights, either flashing or solid.....is that for traffic calming or pedestrian ease of crossing roads? Many Thanks.

[@LanzaroteInformation]

If you mean the ones in, for example, La Gería, Femés and Tiagua, the yellow flashing lights are to warn you that you are coming into a low speed limit zone, in most cases 50kph. The second set of lights will be on red, but as long as you are doing 50kph or below, they will turn off before you get to them. If you are speeding, they will remain red, and you have to stop.

[@pembsbear]

@@LanzaroteInformation thank you.....i couldnt remember the exact ruling, but thank you very much for taking the time to clarify this.

[@ianmarrow]

Always been confused by these, even after 10 years. Could you do a full explanation video please

[@LanzaroteInformation]

@@ianmarrow Not sure it’s worth it. It’s as simple as I said above. Stick to the limit or below and the red lights will change to let you pass through. If you’re speeding, they will remain red and you’ll have to stop.

[@Aj-dq6fe]

One thing I notice is pedestrians will walk behind my car as I am inching out of spaces, especially in supermarkets , then wave their hands at me . I would never walk into the path of a reversing car, its hard enough looking at the mirrors, front of the car to avoid the cars next to you whilst under lock. Then to have people deliberately walking past the rear , makes no sense.

[@LanzaroteInformation]

Strange. I can’t think that’s ever happened to me.

Its the same in uk ( a stop sign is a command not a request)

[@LanzaroteInformation]

That’s interesting, thank you.

[@kristiaanvermeir598]

Hi Mike, just for your info, your camera shows us you mirroring… meaning when you say look the right, we see you looking to the left and jour right is your left and vice versa.😅 can be confusing…😊 Cu Kristiaan

[@LanzaroteInformation]

@@kristiaanvermeir598 Yep. I realised when editing it, but I relaxed about it. People are sensible enough to know.

[@BazFairbrother]

Hi Mike, great video with some interesting facts. I was unaware about parking facing the wrong way and crossing a white line to do so. One thing you didn't cover is clothing requirements. As a regular naturist visitor to Lanzarotë amd Fuerteventura it came as a surprise when I learned from another KZbin channel (JP in Fuerteventura) that you have to wear s shirt or top when driving. The rep at Pluscar confirmed this too. Do you know why this is?

[@LanzaroteInformation]

@@BazFairbrother It’s not actually illegal, but you could be fined. The law simply states that you must be dressed appropriately when driving. “The main reason travelling shirtless is frowned upon, according to the DGT, is that the seatbelt could cause a serious injury in the event of an accident, as well as resulting in some minor embarrassment if a half-dressed motorist is stuck at the side of the road because of a break-down.”

[@lizbrearley97UK]

I'd also add that to me that's a courtesy to the drivers that will use the car after you, as your sweat/suncream won't be on the seats and seatbelts.

[@LanzaroteInformation]

@@lizbrearley97UK Good point.

[@BazFairbrother]

@@lizbrearley97UK that is a valid point but I was thinking from the perspective of someone who lives and drives out there in their own vehicle. I guess you would acclimatize eventually and get used to the heat.

[@yvesracine9866]

What about tipping for gas ?

[@LanzaroteInformation]

@@yvesracine9866 it’s not expected, but when we had gas cars, we used to tip the server occasionally, as we always used the same station.

[@davidanderson79]

What is happening with the new form you have to fill in in December is it true?

[@LanzaroteInformation]

New form for what, David?

[@pythongrun]

Also go easy on the alcohol. The legal limit for alcohol in Spain is 0.5 grammes of alcohol per litre of blood (equivalent to 0.25 milligrammes of alcohol per litre of exhaled air) which is lower than the limit in England.

[@LanzaroteInformation]

@@pythongrun Our advice would be don’t drink at all when driving. We take turns to drive and the driver doesn’t touch a drop. Spain is Europe’s largest consumer of zero alcohol beers.

[@pythongrun]

@@LanzaroteInformationAgreed, but the low limit means being extra cautious the morning after. We take it in turns to be ‘Des’

[@alexh3983]

There isn't a limit that applies to all of the UK. In Scotland, it was lowered to 50mg/100ml in blood and 22ug/100ml of breath

[@pythongrun]

@@alexh3983 Edited

[@Alison20243]

Thanks Mike now understand that roundabout leaving the spar at Arrecife towards Costa Teguise

[@RichardHall-z7o]

Can I just check, I know you need to carry your driving licence with you butt I always thought you had to have your passport as well? Is that not the case then? Would be good if not as I always worry about taking my passport out with me in case it gets lost.

[@LanzaroteInformation]

The law here states that you should have government issued photo ID with you at all times. If your drivers licence from your country has a photo, that would be fine, if not your ID Card, and if not, your passport.

[@RichardHall-z7o]

@@LanzaroteInformation Brilliant, thanks Mike, I can keep my passport locked in the safe now.

[@pythongrun]

Also worth noting that no child under 12 is permitted to sit in the front and that all children in child seats need to be in the rear.

[@LanzaroteInformation]

@@pythongrun Good point.

[@johnwordley3285]

Many thanks for all the information. It’s very helpful as a regular visitor to Lanzarote, are you able to confirm what is the alcohol limit approximately when you drive a car I’ve talked to many people overthe years? Nobody really seems to know.

[@pythongrun]

@@johnwordley3285 25mg/litre in breath. This is one small 330ml beer for the average male. This is a lower limit than the UK.

[@LanzaroteInformation]

@@johnwordley3285 It’s 0.05% BAC (50 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood).

[@johnwordley3285]

@@LanzaroteInformation many thanks. not to put on the spot would that be one glass of wine or half a pint?