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Driving in Tenerife – Information and useful tips

Driving in Tenerife is, shall we say, a bit adventurous. Even if you come from a country whose traffic drives on the right, there are still a number of Spaniards idiosyncrasies to take into account when trying to drive in Tenerife.

As you venture down the island’s daunting roads, remember the simple rule regarding “give way.” If there is an arrow pointing forward on the road, you have the right of way. If there is an inverted triangle, you must yield.

Remember to turn right at roundabouts and when entering a dual carriageway, turn right!

If there are people waiting at a zebra crossing, you must stop to let them pass.

If you’re going straight at a traffic light, it’s a good idea to get into the left lane, because if the traffic light is red, there is often a flashing yellow light for a right turn, which means that anyone who wants to turn on the right you can proceed with caution. If you’re in that lane, waiting to go straight ahead, you might hear some horns behind you for blocking your way!

There is an idiosyncrasy of driving in Tenerife that you must take into account. If you are behind a car and suddenly signal to turn left when there appears to be no left turn in sight, it means the driver is stopping to allow someone to cross or a car to pull away, for example. .

There is also a curious custom among the native drivers of Tenerife. If they see someone they know walking down the street, they will simply stop their cars in the middle of the road to chat with them, without thinking of other drivers. Just be patient with them: it’s their way.

DRIVING IN TENERIFE BY HIGHWAY

Exiting a highway at rush hour

Here’s a tip for exiting a highway. Okay, you may think, I just take the slip road the same way I would in my home country, no problem.

In fact, that is the case, except if it is “rush hour”. Tenerife motorway exit slip roads often lead quite quickly to a busy roundabout, so a queue quickly forms. So what happens? The queue extends to the freeway, doesn’t it? And what is the only place for that queue to be positioned? Along the shoulder, that’s where.

So get ready for this. Otherwise, you may be happily traveling down the inside lane, towards your turnoff, only to discover there’s a long line of cars on the shoulder, stretching out behind you…and you have to try to get in. You have to practically stop in the inside lane, the highway is only two lanes, you cause all sorts of problems, including a potential crash situation.

So, just be careful: if the motorway is exceptionally busy, look ahead for a possible queue on the shoulder as you approach your turnoff, and be prepared to pull onto the shoulder as well and take your position at the rear. .

You know it makes sense!

access roads

Sometimes Tenerife motorways have two separate slip roads leading to them. If true! The potential problem here is that one path will have to give way to the other. So be aware that in this situation your driveway may suddenly have the triangle reversed, meaning you must yield (see above). I know it’s weird that you have to stop at one driveway to check for something coming up the other driveway, but that’s the way it is.

tunnels

On the TF-1 motorway from the towns in the south to Santa Cruz, there is a small tunnel. The law for driving in Tenerife is that your headlights must be on, even if you are only in this tunnel for about five seconds. This applies to all tunnels on the island and traffic police have been known to lie in wait at the other end to catch anyone who does not comply.

DRIVING IN TENERIFE: some laws you should know

  • Seat belt – Mandatory for all passengers. Children under ten years of age must travel in the rear with adapted seat belts
  • drink while driving – in line with most of Europe (except the UK), the limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (equivalent to less than a pint of beer or a little more than a regular 150 glass of wine DC). In recent years, the Tenerife police were a bit more relaxed about it, but believe me, now they are not!
  • Mobile (cell) phones – use while driving is a punishable offense
  • stop sign – you will see this word stamped on the road at some intersections (why it is in English is a mystery). You have to come to a complete stop, even if you can clearly see that nothing is coming. Failure to do so is an offense
  • In case of breakdown – all the cars have to wear a warning triangle (stored in the trunk) and a reflective jacket (stored in the car)

Hefty fines can be imposed on the spot for blurring the seat belt rule or failing to properly observe the STOP sign. The police will also stop you and fine you if they see you overtaking where it is not allowed.

Spanish driving licenses

Nationals of EU countries who have decided to live in Tenerife can still use their EU license, but they must have it officially stamped. For non-EU citizens who have become residents, it is necessary to obtain a Spanish driving license the hard way: by taking the test! Yes, it is not an easy process and one that those who have gone through the procedure talk about with dread. You are allowed up to one year to do so, during which you can drive with your old license.

First of all, regardless of how many years of driving experience you have in your own country, you must enroll in a driving school and take classes. Eventually, the actual test will consist of a medical exam, an eye test, a written exam, and finally a practical test, driving a car. (With all this to go by, one would think Tenerife drivers would have impeccable driving skills. Think again.)

Regarding the medical and vision test, you will likely be certified fit if you are still breathing and can see where you are going without hitting anything.

The written exam is another matter, with far-reaching questions on topics as diverse as auto mechanics, first aid, and specifications for a variety of different vehicles. Fortunately, the test is multiple choice and can be taken in English. However, rest assured that it is not easy.

For the road test, you sit in the test car with your instructor by your side. The examiner sits in the back and the route makes no concessions to his “learner” status. You will be expected to pass through busy city centers, winding roads, hills and roundabouts. There will also be the mandatory “parallel parking” maneuver. If you give in to pressure and fail, don’t worry, you can retake the exam and this also applies to the written exam.

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