Autopista (motorways) are prefixed by the letter ‘A', national multi-lane roads connecting towns and cities are prefixed by the letter ‘N' and Madrid ring roads by the letter ‘M'. Autovía (highways) and Carretera Nacional (other major roads) are indicated by two Roman numerals or, more commonly, three digits. Many motorways incur a toll charge.

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

Foreign visitors require a valid driving licence to drive in Spain. National licences from EU countries are accepted, while nationals of other countries 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.

Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE) (tel: 90 240 4545; www.race.es) has reciprocal agreements with the AA and RAC in Britain and the AAA in America.

Emergency breakdown services: Spanish Royal Automobile Club (RACE) (tel: 90 240 4545).

Alternatively, drivers in distress can contact the Ayuda en Carretera (Help on the Road) (operated by the Guardia Civil) on the roadside SOS telephones, who will contact the breakdown services.

Routes to the city: Motorways radiate outward from Madrid. The NI links Madrid to the French border (via Burgos and Irún), the NII to Barcelona (via Zaragoza) and the French border. The NIII weaves its way to Valencia and Alicante, the NIV to Seville and Cádiz, the NV to Badajoz at the Portuguese border (where the A6/E90 continues to Lisbon) and the N401 to Toledo. There are also three ring motorways, M30 and M40 and M50.

Approximate driving times to Madrid: From Barcelona - 7 hours 30 minutes; from Seville - 7 hours 45 minutes; from Lisbon - 8 hours 45 minutes.

Coach services: Estación Sur de Autobuses, Calle Méndez Alvaro 83, is Madrid's most important bus terminal for long-distance coach travel. Destinations served include Albacete, Avila, Alicante, Toledo, Barcelona, Benidorm and Santiago. ALSA (tel: 90 2327 0540; www.alsa.es) provides coach services between Spanish cities, operating from this station. Eurolines (tel: 91 506 3360; www.eurolines.es) has services to major cities throughout Europe and further afield, including Basel, Berlin, Fez, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Lisbon, Marrakech, Munich, Naples, Prague, Toulouse and Warsaw.