Related guides Driving & Parking AP-7 is toll-free since January 2020. Spain speed limits 50/80/100/120 km/h. Zona Azul €1.20/h on coastal streets — fines from €100 to €600 depending on infraction. Driving in Spain requires strict adherence to posted speed limits, which vary by road type. The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) enforces these limits with significant fines. Exceeding the limit, even by a small margin, can result in penalties starting from €100. Be particularly aware of the variable speed limits on the A-7 motorway between Torremolinos and Fuengirola, which frequently change between 80 km/h, 100 km/h, and back to 80 km/h based on traffic and weather conditions. Road Type Speed Limit (km/h) Fine for 20 km/h Over Fine for 50+ km/h Over Urban (single carriageway, pavement) 20 km/h From €100 From €600 + 6 points Urban (single lane per direction) 30 km/h From €100 From €600 + 6 points Urban (built-up, ≥2 lanes per direction) 50 km/h From €100 From €600 + 6 points Motorway (Autopista, e.g., AP-7) 120 km/h From €100 From €600 + 6 points The DGT operates an extensive network of fixed, mobile, and section control speed cameras throughout Málaga province. Familiarise yourself with the locations of fixed and section radars on major routes connecting to Benalmádena to avoid costly fines. Fixed DGT Cameras: MA-20: Kilometre marker 10.45 (Málaga direction) A-7: Kilometre marker 968.236 (Cádiz direction) A-7: Kilometre marker 978.95 (Barcelona direction) A-7: Kilometre marker 1049.4 (Barcelona direction) Section Control Radars (measures average speed between two points): MA-20: Between km 9.3 and 10.3 (994-metre section) A-7: Between km 1019.7 and 1024.854 ⚠️ Warning: The stretch of the A-7 motorway passing Torremolinos and approaching Benalmádena contains the fourth most active speed radar in all of Spain. This zone is heavily monitored, and variable speed limits are strictly enforced. Assume you are being monitored at all times. The city of Málaga has implemented a Zona de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE), or Low-Emission Zone, to improve air quality. The zone covers 437 hectares of the city centre and is monitored by over 130 enforcement cameras. If you plan to drive your rental car from Benalmádena into Málaga, understanding these rules is critical. The good news for tourists is that cars from our recommended operator reviews come equipped with the necessary DGT environmental labels (C, ECO, or CERO), granting unrestricted access until at least late 2026. Drivers of foreign-plated vehicles must register their vehicle with the Málaga city administration to be compliant. The ZBE is bordered by the following major streets: Paseo Marítimo Antonio Machado, Avenida de Andalucía, Avenida de la Aurora, Paseo de Martiricos, Alameda de Capuchinos, and Paseo Salvador Rueda. Phase Effective Date Restriction Details Standard Fine Impact on Rental Cars Phase 2 30 Nov 2025 Vehicles without a DGT label not domiciled in Málaga are banned. €200 None. Rental cars have C, ECO, or CERO labels. Phase 3 30 Nov 2026 Vehicles with a 'B' label not domiciled in Málaga are banned. €200 Minimal. Most modern rental fleets are C, ECO, or CERO. Benalmádena manages high-demand street parking through a "Zona Azul" (Blue Zone) system, covering approximately 650 spaces. Parking within these marked blue bays requires payment during specified hours, which change between winter and summer seasons. Winter Hours (October - May): Monday to Friday: 09:00–14:00 and 16:00–20:00 Saturday: 09:00–14:00 Sunday & Holidays: Free Summer Hours (June - September): Monday to Friday: 09:30–14:30 and 17:00–21:00 Saturday: 09:30–14:30 Sunday & Holidays: Free You must purchase a ticket from a nearby meter or via a mobile app immediately after parking; a 5-minute grace period is typically allowed for this. Failure to display a valid ticket or overstaying your paid time will result in a fine. For information on vehicle collection, see our rental pickup guide. 🚗 Local Insight: The most convenient way to pay for Zona Azul parking is with the Telpark mobile app. It allows you to pay, extend your time remotely without returning to the meter, and locate your parked car. If you receive a parking fine (denuncia) in a Zona Azul bay, you can often cancel it for a nominal fee if you act quickly. This process is known as "anulación de denuncia" and must be done at a parking meter within 48 hours of the fine being issued. Type A Annulment (€3.00): For exceeding the paid time. You can annul the fine if you do so within the time limit printed on the penalty notice. Type B Annulment (€6.00): For parking without a valid ticket. If you fail to annul the ticket or have significantly overstayed (typically double the time you paid for), your vehicle is subject to being towed by the "grúa" (tow truck), leading to much higher impound and retrieval fees. 💡 Tip: Always keep the fine slip. You will need the details from it to process the annulment at the parking meter. Select the "Anular Denuncia" option on the screen and follow the instructions to pay the reduced fee and cancel the penalty. Spanish authorities, particularly the Guardia Civil's Tráfico division, maintain a zero-tolerance approach to drink and drug driving. Enforcement is frequent, with regular checkpoints set up on major roads and within towns like Benalmádena, especially during holiday periods and late at night. Recent DGT enforcement campaigns in the area show a significant rate of positive tests, underscoring the high risk of being caught. August 2024 Campaign: 4.52% of drivers tested positive for alcohol; 52.78% tested positive for drugs. December 2024 Campaign: 4.07% of drivers tested positive for alcohol; 44.33% tested positive for drugs. July 2025 Campaign: 4.20% of drivers tested positive for alcohol; 57.14% tested positive for drugs. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.25mg/l in expired air (0.5g/l in blood). For new drivers (with a license for less than two years) and professional drivers, the limit is lower at 0.15mg/l. Penalties are severe, including heavy fines, license suspension, and potential imprisonment. The only safe amount of alcohol to consume before driving is zero. You can find more safe travel tips on our home page.