Car rentals in Spain - Canary Islands

Car Hire in the Canary Islands

Driving in the Canary Islands: Essential Rules

• Drive on the right. The Canary Islands are a Spanish autonomous community and follow Spain's national road rules, administered by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT). All standard Spanish traffic law applies across all seven islands.
• Seatbelts and child seats. Seatbelts are compulsory for all occupants in every seat. Children under 12 or shorter than 1.35 metres must be secured in an approved child seat or booster. Children meeting the height threshold may use a standard adult seatbelt. Child seats can be requested at the time of booking through most suppliers.
• Mobile phones and radar devices. Using a handheld mobile phone while driving is illegal and carries a substantial fine with licence points. Hands-free kits are permitted, but earphones and headphones are not. Radar and laser speed-trap detection devices are illegal to carry in the vehicle, even switched off.
• Breakdown signalling — V16 beacon. From 1 January 2026, all Spanish-registered vehicles — including hire cars — are legally required to carry a connected V16 emergency beacon in place of the traditional warning triangle. The beacon is placed on the vehicle roof to signal a breakdown or incident without the driver needing to exit onto the carriageway. Hire cars supplied from this date should be equipped with a V16 beacon as standard; confirm this at collection. Drivers of foreign-registered vehicles visiting Spain are not required to carry the V16, but hire cars are registered in Spain and the requirement applies.
• Hi-vis vest. A reflective hi-vis vest must be kept accessible inside the vehicle — not in the boot — and worn before exiting onto a road following a breakdown or incident.
• Spectacles. If you are required to wear corrective lenses to drive, Spanish law requires you to carry a spare pair in the vehicle.
• No toll roads. There are no toll roads anywhere in the Canary Islands. All motorways and main roads across every island are free to use at all times.
• Speed cameras and fines. Fixed and mobile speed cameras operate across the islands. Fines are issued against the registered plate and will be forwarded to a home address or billed via the hire company if the vehicle is a hire car. Fines should be paid promptly to avoid additional administration charges.
• Mountain and rural roads. Several islands — particularly Tenerife, La Palma, La Gomera, and El Hierro — have significant mountain routes with tight hairpin bends, steep gradients, and narrow carriageways. Strong crosswinds are common at altitude. Use engine braking on long descents. Allow extra time on rural and mountain roads.

Local signage takes precedence at all times. The blood alcohol limit is 0.5 g/l for most drivers, reduced to 0.3 g/l for novice drivers and professionals. Roundabout traffic has priority. Indicate when exiting a roundabout.

Canary Islands Car Hire Insurance and Inter-Island Rules

Every car hire listed on eCarBookers includes collision damage waiver (CDW) cover as part of the supplier's own price — not as an optional extra purchased through a third-party insurer. The protection comes directly from the hire company itself, meaning that if there is minor damage to the main body of the vehicle during your hire, there is no excess to pay and no claim to submit.

It is worth being aware that tyres, glass, and underbody damage are typically excluded from standard CDW cover across the car hire industry. These situations are uncommon in everyday driving but are worth noting if you plan to use mountain or volcanic terrain routes. Always check your booking confirmation for the specific cover terms applicable to your hire, as scope can vary by supplier. The price you see on eCarBookers is the total price you pay — arrive, drive, enjoy.

Taking a hire car between islands. The Canary Islands are a group of seven separate islands connected by inter-island ferry services. Most car hire suppliers do not permit hire vehicles to be transported between islands by ferry, and doing so without prior written authorisation from the supplier will typically void the CDW cover entirely. If your itinerary involves visiting more than one island, the standard approach is to return the vehicle on the first island and collect a fresh hire car on arrival at the next. Several local operators — including Cicar/Cabrera Medina, which has offices at ferry ports across the archipelago — are set up to make this straightforward. One-way hire between islands is offered by some international suppliers but typically carries a significant surcharge. Always confirm the exact terms with your supplier before booking a ferry crossing with a hire vehicle.

Low Emission Zones (ZBE). Spain's national legislation requires all municipalities with populations above 50,000 to operate a Low Emission Zone. In the Canary Islands, the municipalities currently subject to this obligation include Santa Cruz de Tenerife and San Cristóbal de La Laguna on Tenerife, and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria on Gran Canaria. Hire cars from reputable suppliers will carry a valid DGT environmental sticker (etiqueta ambiental). Confirm this at collection if you plan to drive into any of these city centres. ZBE implementation across the islands is ongoing and phased — check current access rules before travelling to any affected urban area.