Spain's little-known driving rule that could land tourists with £176 fine if broken

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Anyone heading to Spain with plans to rent a car this summer are being warned over a certain driving rule that could slap tourists with penalties.Getting on the road is a great way to see more of the country you're travelling, but certain vehicles are banned in parts of the popular destination.

The buzzing cities of Madrid and Barcelona both contain Low Emission Zones (LEZ), prohibiting cars that don't meet certain emission standards from entering.Experts at Airport Parking are urging Scots to "do their homework" and research before hitting the Spanish roads, as violating these zones could result in a £176 (€200) fine.

The purpose of a holiday is to unwind and the last thing any tourist wants is to be burdened with needless - and costly - complications.Designated to reduce air pollution levels, Spain's low emission zones are enacted at certain times of the day.

To enter Barcelona between 7am and 8pm, your car must meet at least Euro 3 petrol emissions standards or Euro 4 diesel emissions standards.In addition, drivers must obtain the appropriate vehicle badge before entering the controlled zone.In Barcelona, there are instances when all cars are prohibited from entering the city centre during episodes of excessive NO2 pollution.