Everything you need to know to drive in an extra lane safely and without being fined

The additional lanes are used to promote circulation and ease traffic congestion at certain times.

Oliver Thansan
Oliver Thansan
27 July 2023 Thursday 10:27
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Everything you need to know to drive in an extra lane safely and without being fined

The additional lanes are used to promote circulation and ease traffic congestion at certain times. They are used on roads with two directions of traffic and hard shoulders, provided there is sufficient width and they are marked with cones or beacons. They are usually located on conventional roads that have a central lane, to have two in one direction of traffic and one in the opposite.

The Traffic and Road Safety Magazine published by the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) recalls that specific traffic regulations apply in this type of lane. We explain them below:

Driving in the opposite direction to that indicated by the additional lane can be very expensive. This is a very serious infraction, which entails an administrative sanction of 500 euros and the withdrawal of 6 points from the card. In your case, it can be considered a crime of reckless driving established by article 380 of the Penal Code.

Exceeding the speed limit established at 80 km/h will constitute a serious or very serious infraction, and they will be exponential according to the value by which said limit is exceeded. The corresponding fines range between 100 and 600 euros, as well as the withdrawal of between two and six points from the card.

Article 42 of the Traffic Regulations also includes the obligatory nature of the use of short-range lights in the additional lanes. Failure to comply with this aspect is considered a serious offense and entails a fine of 200 euros.

On other types of roads, similar measures are implemented to guarantee the flow of traffic. This is the case of the lanes in the opposite direction to the usual, frequent on highways and highways that give access to cities. The same rules apply in these regarding the use of dipped headlights or driving speed between 60 and 80 km/h. They can only be used by motorcycles and cars without a trailer. In case of doing it with another type of vehicle, you will face a fine of up to 200 euros. Of course, you cannot invade the next lane, that is, the opposite direction, to overtake.