Driving in Tenerife

Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands situated off the North West coast of Africa. The majority of the visitors to the island arrive by air. The island has two airports, one in the north at Los Rodeos from where all inter island flights operate. The majority of international visitors arrive at the island`s southern airport at Reina Sofia which is situated in the heart of the tourist area. Flights operate from European cities including: Belfast, Birmingham, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Gatwick, Luton, Manchester, Berlin, Frankfurt, Cologne, Geneva, Zurich, Moscow, Paris, Oslo, Rome, and Vienna. Flights also operate from Spanish domestic cities. It is also possible to travel to Santa Cruz de Tenerife by car ferry from Cadiz. The service operates weekly and takes approximately 50 hours.

Driving
The Canary Islands are part of Spain and EU licences are accepted. Vehicles are driven on the right hand.

The use of full headlights in built-up areas is prohibited, you must use sidelights or dipped headlights.

Drinking and driving: Spain takes this offence seriously and there are random tests. If the level of alcohol in the bloodstream is 0.05 per cent or more, on the spot fines and withdrawal of visitor`s driving licence can apply.

Children up to the age of 12 and under 135cm travelling on the front or rear of a car must be seated in a suitable child seat Children measuring more than 135 cm may use an adult seat belt.

Fuel: The majority of the island is well served with petrol stations. But take care in rural areas where stations are somewhat sparse.

Hiring a Car
When considering car hire at Tenerife South airport or indeed anywhere on the island, you must be at least 21 years old. There are seven car hire companies at the airport including Avis, Cicar, Europcar and Hertz. The car hire desks are located within the arrivals hall. There is a fairly wide range of vehicles which can be rented on the island. These vehicles can be booked in advance through the internet, directly via travel agents and on price comparison sites. 3rd party insurance is supplied automatically however there are many extras, such as collision damage waiver which will reduce the cost of your insurance excess if there is an accident. You should ensure that you understand what your responsibilities are and get any documentation in your native language if possible. Always examine the vehicle for damage when taking it. On its return get the company to check the vehicle and sign that there is no damage as this will ensure that there are no disputes.

Driving in Tenerife is a real pleasure as many of the roads are quiet and the scenery is dramatic. No matter where you are in the island Mount Teide is in sight. In urban areas, traffic can be heavier and pedestrian crossings can difficult to see. Parking may be chaotic at times, so you need to take care when driving!