Rules for planning, building and using Spain's state roads

Automatic summary, not yet reviewed

1. The law regulates the planning, design, construction, maintenance, funding, use and operation of state roads, and classifies them as motorways, dual carriageways, expressways and conventional roads.
2. State roads are those that form itineraries of general interest or whose role in the transport system affects more than one Autonomous Community. Together they make up the State Road Network.
3. Funding can come from the State Budget, other public administrations, national or international bodies and, exceptionally, private parties. Special levies can also be imposed on those who benefit from the works, with percentages ranging from 25 % in general up to 90 % for private-use access roads.
4. As a general rule, the State operates its roads directly and use is free, although tolls may apply exceptionally. Certain vehicles, such as Armed Forces, police, ambulance and fire service vehicles, do not pay tolls.
5. Three zones are established alongside roads: public domain (26 feet on motorways, dual carriageways and expressways, and 10 feet on other roads), servitude (82 or 26 feet) and influence (328 or 164 feet). Works or installations there require Ministry authorization, and advertising visible from the road is banned outside urban sections.
6. Offenses are classified as minor, serious or very serious, with fines from 25,000 to 25,000,000 pesetas. Sanctions are imposed by the civil governor, the Minister or the Council of Ministers depending on severity, and they expire after one year for minor offenses and four years for serious and very serious ones.

Who it affects

• People driving on state roads: Use is generally free, except for tolls in exceptional cases, and service areas cover travelers' needs.
• Owners of land next to state roads: Their land is subject to public domain, servitude and influence zones, with building limits and an advertising ban, and they may pay special levies if they benefit from the works.
• Municipalities and Autonomous Communities: They must coordinate their road plans with the State's and take part in approving routes and urban road sections.
• People carrying out works or uses near roads: They need Ministry authorization and can be fined if they break the rules.

Words worth knowing

Zona de dominio público (public domain zone)

Strip of land belonging to the public use of the road, where only authorized works are allowed.

Zona de servidumbre (servitude zone)

Strip next to the road where only uses compatible with road safety are allowed, and only with prior authorization.

Zona de afección (influence zone)

Wider strip where works, changes of use or tree cutting need prior authorization.

Contribución especial (special levy)

Payment owed by those who get a special benefit from the works, such as their land increasing in value.

Travesía (urban road section)

Road section running through urban land with consolidated buildings along at least two thirds of its length.

It summarizes the law as published in the BOE. It is written by artificial intelligence and may contain mistakes: the official text is what counts. Read the official text · How we make summaries