Motorways (Autopista) are prefixed by the letter ‘A', while highways (Autovía) and other major roads (Carretera Nacional) are indicated by either two Roman numerals or, more commonly, three digits. Many motorways have tolls. Rates are shown at tollbooths and payment must be made in Euros - cash is preferred, although major credit cards might also be accepted.

Traffic drives on the right. No person under 18 years may hire or ride a vehicle over 75cc. Seat belts are compulsory for front-seat passengers in cars. Crash helmets must be worn on motorcycles. After sunset, sidelights must be used at all times - spare bulbs and red hazard triangles must be kept in all vehicles. The speed limit for cars and motorcycles is 120kph (74mph) on motorways, 100kph (62mph) on dual carriageways, 90kph (56mph) on roads outside built-up areas and 50kph (31mph) within towns, unless otherwise stated. Fines for traffic offences are strictly enforced, often with on-the-spot fines. The legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.05%.

Foreign visitors require a valid driving licence to drive in Spain. National licences from EU countries are accepted, although nationals of other countries, including the USA, Canada and Australia, are advised to obtain an International Driving Permit. Third party insurance is required and documents should be carried at all times. A Green Card is strongly recommended for all visitors and is compulsory for those from outside the EU.

Breakdown services and motoring information can be obtained from the Real Automobile Club de Catalunya (RACC), Avinguda Diagonal 687 (tel: (93) 495 5050; website: www.racc.es).

Emergency breakdown service: RACC (tel: (93) 495 5152, 24-hour line).

Alternatively drivers should contact the Ayuda en Carretera, run by the Guardia Civil, via the roadside SOS telephones located on both sides of the carriageway at 2km (1-mile) intervals.

Routes to the city: The A7 motorway is the main route to Barcelona from France and runs down the coast past Valencia, as far as Alicante to the south. The A2 heads inland to the west for Zaragoza and connections to Madrid. The A19 hugs the coast for a short distance to the northeast of the city.

Approximate driving times to Barcelona: From Zaragoza - 3 hours 15 minutes; Valencia - 3 hours; Madrid - 5 hours 30 minutes.

Coach services: Eurolines international coach services (tel: 902 405 040; website: www.eurolines.es) use Estació Autobuses de Sants, situated next to the Central-Sants train station, Carrer Viriato (tel: (93) 490 4000), although services to France also stop at Estació del Nord, Avinguda Vilanova (tel: 902 260 606). Most long-distance coaches from other parts of Spain operate from the Estació del Nord. There are Eurolines services to major European cities, including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Prague and Rome.