27 Jul 2013 5:28 AM:

Where does it say in the Spanish Highway Code, that it is perfectly correct to creep past another vehicle, pull in at bonnet's length and then immediately slow down?

Where does it say in the Spanish Highway Code, that it is perfectly correct to overtake another vehicle, cut sharply in front, brake heavily and then exit the road at the very next exit only a few metres ahead?

I've picked up on a new signal - the meaning of the arm dangling out of the window - whilst the other arm is engaged with steering, gear-changing, holding the cigarette and texting. The dangling arm, means: a) I do NOT have airconditioning in this vehicle, or b) I DO have airconditioning in this vehicle, but it is not working.

Finally, Indicators. These are fitted to be used at Christmas time only, as they look pretty and festive for that time of year.

I guess that the only way to capture the Spanish Wacky Races, is to film it via a DashCam. There is even a FaceBook page set up for exactly that. Take a look - SpanishDashcams 

 

This message was last edited by chordiant on 27/07/2013.
Forum thread: How do you rate Spanish drivers

--------------------------------------

21 Nov 2011 7:47 PM:

Exactly.! I have been stopped a few times and simply waved through once the GC saw the ITV sticker.

Why some people duck and dive, dodge and weave to avoid doing the right thing, is beyond me.

Goodness knows what they do if they breakdown - no insurance, no recovery and there's no such thing as the AA, RAC etc. Oh - and it's illegal to be towed.!

Every time they venture out on the roads, they must go out on a wing and a prayer.

Not for me, thank you....!!

Forum thread: English MOT and English road tax

--------------------------------------

21 Nov 2011 3:43 PM:

 Sten46 - glad it all worked out for you. I have re-registered a total of 4 cars (don't ask - long story) The first 3 saw me doing exactly what you did - LOTS of patience required - but all worked out in the end. My 4th car was an American import, delivered to the UK and then a ferry trip (Santandar) and a lovely drive down to Murcia.

The vehicle is a HUGE SUV 4x4 with a rather large 5.4 litre V8 under the bonnet. Being American, it was already LHD with the correct Xenon headlamps and only needing the rear indicators to be added - red indicators being OK in America, but Europe demands amber. This I did myself and took less than 20minutes. The red indicators were disconnected.

Off to the ITV, I went.

Then I hit trouble. As it was American, the specification, CO2 emissions etc etc., didn't exist. I was also told that the side-steps had to be removed as they were 'protruding' beyond the bodywork. I argued that the side-steps were an essential component to the structure of the vehicle and that Ford knew a bit more about building vehicles than a mechanic working at an ITV station in Spain, did.!

Futher measurements were taken of the side steps and ITV accepted they were wrong and that the vehicle was OK.

But I still came away without an ITV sticker.

Time for the experts..!

I contacted a company who specialised in re-plating imported vehicles. 5 days later, all the paperwork was in place. I needed an homologation certificate - 70€ if you know the right person, 600€ if you don't..!! - and I had my ITV sticker, logbook, road tax paid and import tax paid - and my new (Spanish) plates.

Apart from the taxes I paid - I was charged 200€ for all the running around the Agent did on my behalf - Bargain.!

Best of all, because the SUV wasn't on the official 'list' and therefore the CO2 emmissions are unknown, I pay the minimum amount of 'road tax' - The job was a good'un..

 

This message was last edited by chordiant on 21/11/2011.
Forum thread: English MOT and English road tax

--------------------------------------

20 Nov 2011 9:26 AM:

 If you are resident in Spain - i.e. you have Residencia - then you have ONE month to get the vehicle on Spanish plates - not 6 months.!!

There are also moves afoot, to stop RHD vehicles being able to be put on Spanish plates - for visability reasons.

Finally, the Policia data-share with DVLA. So they now know pretty quickly if a car is Taxed, MOT'd or Insured.

Just think about that, the next time you are stopped at a road block in your illegal car. you could be saying  to it...!!

 

Forum thread: English MOT and English road tax

--------------------------------------

20 Nov 2011 8:21 AM:

 We have undertaken this journey several times - Manchester to Murcia and return

Others have advised a variety of routes - it's a case of: 'you pays yer money and yer takes your choice:.

The only advice I can give is:

1) Take regular breaks

and 

2) Use Eurotunnel rather than a ferry. Cheaper prices + Only 30mins from Folkestone/Calais + Speedy loading/unloading (minutes!) + You sit in your car + Trains every 20 minutes + NO RELIANCE ON WEATHER CONDITIONS...!!

Forum thread: manchester to la manga ?

--------------------------------------