UK Passport Checker

Driving in Gibraltar from the UK: what you need

Checked against official sources on 8 November 2026 · Sources at the bottom of this page

Driving your own car to Gibraltar? You need:

  • A UK sticker for the drive through Spain Spain requires one whatever your number plate shows
  • Your UK driving licence, logbook (V5C) and insurance certificate Check with your insurer that your policy covers Gibraltar as well as Spain. Hire or lease car from the UK? Take a VE103 certificate
  • A passport for everyone in the car Checked when you first enter the Schengen area. See below
  • Headlights set for driving on the right Gibraltar drives on the right, like Spain. Many newer cars adjust from a menu setting, others need beam deflector stickers
  • To keep to 50 km/h, and to know the parking bay colours

🛂 The border has changed

Since 15 July 2026, under the UK and EU agreement on Gibraltar, there are no entry and exit check booths at the land border between Spain and Gibraltar. Gibraltar's short-stay rules now follow Schengen: 90 days in any 180, counting time in Gibraltar and Schengen countries together. Driving down through Europe, your passport is checked, and the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) records your fingerprints, when you first enter Schengen, usually at Dover or Folkestone. Your passport must be less than 10 years old on arrival and valid for 3 months after you leave.

Gibraltar passport rules →

Parking

Gibraltar is small and busy, so many visitors park and walk, or use the buses.

Customs and shopping

Under the new agreement, there are no customs checks at the land frontier. For the next 3 years, a travel allowance of €300 by land applies, with limits on tobacco, alcohol and fuel. Goods over the limits must be declared at the airport. Spain's tobacco limits for travellers from Gibraltar are low, so don't stock up.

Speed limits in Gibraltar

RoadLimit
All roads, unless signed 50 km/h≈ 31 mph
30 km/h zones 30 km/h≈ 19 mph

Gibraltar's national speed limit is 50 km/h unless signs say otherwise. On the drive through Spain, Spanish rules apply: see driving in Spain.

Rules that catch UK drivers out

🍷 Drink-drive limit

35 micrograms per 100 ml of breath, the same as England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

📵 No phones

Using a mobile phone while driving isn't allowed, and you can be prosecuted for being distracted by one.

🔒 Seatbelts

Everyone must wear a seatbelt at all times.

➡️ Drive on the right

Gibraltar drives on the right, like Spain. Take extra care at junctions and roundabouts.

Breakdowns and emergencies

Hiring a car in Gibraltar instead

FAQs

Are there still border checks between Spain and Gibraltar?

No. Since 15 July 2026, under the UK and EU agreement on Gibraltar, there are no entry and exit check booths at the land border. If you drive down through Europe, your passport is checked, and the EU's Entry/Exit System records your fingerprints, when you first enter the Schengen area, usually at Dover or Folkestone.

Does time in Gibraltar count towards the 90-day Schengen limit?

Yes. Since July 2026, Gibraltar's short-stay rules are aligned with Schengen: you can stay 90 days in any 180, and time in Gibraltar counts together with time in Schengen countries.

Can I drive in Gibraltar on my UK licence?

Yes. GOV.UK says you can drive in Gibraltar with a UK driving licence.

Which side of the road do they drive on in Gibraltar?

The right, as in Spain. Set your headlights for driving on the right before you leave the UK.

What is the speed limit in Gibraltar?

50 km/h (about 31 mph) everywhere unless signs say otherwise, with some 30 km/h zones.

Do I need a UK sticker to drive to Gibraltar?

To drive through Spain, yes: Spain requires a UK sticker whatever is on your number plate.

More for your trip

🚗 All our driving guides 🛂 Gibraltar passport rules ✅ Check your passport and get a free reminder 🇪🇸 Driving through Spain 🇫🇷 Driving through France 📅 90/180 day calculator

Sources

Checked on 8 November 2026. Rules change, so check the official sources before you travel.