With Madrid located at almost the exact geographical center of the Iberian Peninsula, Madrid is a good starting point if you want to rent a car and drive around Spain and Portugal to see some of the many beautiful and historic places and cities. The infrastructure is generally good and especially the highways are usually in an excellent driving condition. In some parts you must pay to use the highways, but in most places they are free, and if you get to a stretch where you have to pay, there are always alternative roads without payment.

If you plan to drive a car in Spain, there are certain rules you must observe. As an EU citizen and a tourist you must follow the same rules that apply for Spanish registered cars and Spanish drivers, and you can be fined for not obeying the following:

• Current driving license.
• Two EU approved, red warning triangles.
• Approved reflective jackets that must be worn outside the car on any highway. The jackets should be kept inside the car so you can put them on before you get out of the car.
• A set of spare lamps/bulbs for your car and the tools to change them.
• Valid insurance
• All vehicle documents relating to the car.

As a foreign tourist you must also have you passport with you, current until after you return home. If you are from outside the EU, you will need an International Driving License issued by the correct authority in your home country. It must have one page of information in Spanish.