City guide
Driving in Alicante as an expat
Alicante is a major Mediterranean port and the gateway to the Costa Blanca, with a permanent population of ~340,000 and one of the highest concentrations of British, Dutch and Scandinavian residents in Spain. The city itself is compact and easy to drive; the surrounding coastal corridor (N-332, AP-7) is where things get complicated, especially in summer.
Where to take the DGT theory exam in English in Alicante
The Alicante provincial DGT centre offers the English Class B exam. Demand from the international community is unusually high - waits of 4+ weeks are common in summer. Several satellite offices serve the Costa Blanca.
Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico de Alicante
C. Italia 1, 03003 Alicante
Central exam centre. English exam available, also Valenciano.
DGT Elche
Elche/Elx, west of Alicante
Less crowded option for residents of the Vega Baja and the southern Costa Blanca.
DGT Benidorm
Benidorm, northern Costa Blanca
Serves the northern coast - Altea, Calpe, Benissa expat communities.
Low-emission zone & environmental sticker
Alicante has not yet activated a ZBE as of 2026, but a planned zone covering the Casco Antiguo (Santa Cruz quarter, Castillo Santa Bárbara area) is in consultation phase. Expected activation: late 2026 or 2027.
Parking - what to expect
Central Alicante uses paid blue-zone (ORA) parking, Mon-Fri 09:00-14:00 / 17:00-20:00, Sat 09:00-14:00. Underground car parks at Plaza del Mar and Mercado Central are reliable. Free street parking exists in barrios like San Blas and Garbinet but fills early.
Common mistakes expats make in Alicante
- Driving the N-332 coast road between Calpe and Altea on August Saturdays - single-lane sections with rental-car traffic.
- Trusting GPS into the Santa Cruz neighbourhood - narrow medieval streets unsuited to cars.
- Parking under palm trees on the Explanada - dropped date clusters dent paintwork.
- Driving up to Castillo Santa Bárbara - the road is gated and pedestrian-only; use the elevator from Postiguet beach.
Finding an English-speaking driving school
Bilingual driving schools are extremely common along the Costa Blanca - Benidorm, Calpe, Jávea, Torrevieja and Orihuela Costa all have schools operating in English, Dutch and German. In Alicante city, search around Avenida Maisonnave and Plaza de los Luceros.
Local driving questions - Alicante
Is the AP-7 free on the Costa Blanca?
Yes - since 2020 the AP-7 between Alicante and the Catalan border is toll-free. The AP-7 south to Murcia/Almería is also free. The N-332 runs parallel along the coast for free but is much slower.
How busy is the Alicante airport (ALC) road?
The A-70 to ALC is moderate at most times. Saturdays in July/August between 10:00-14:00 (changeover day for British/Northern European tourists) it backs up. Allow 30 minutes from the city, 60+ during summer peaks.
Can I drive into Benidorm old town?
The Casco Antiguo of Benidorm has restricted access - residents and hotel guests only via the limited municipal authorisation. Use the underground car park under Plaza Triangular and walk the final 5 minutes.
Are roundabouts dangerous in the Costa Blanca?
Statistically, Costa Blanca roundabouts have higher accident rates than the Spanish average - driven by mixed traffic (locals, British retirees driving on the "wrong" side of habit, summer rentals). Follow the DGT rule strictly: outer lane unless turning back across, signal right before exiting.
What is the speed limit on the TRAM (light rail) shared streets in Alicante?
30 km/h on all street sections where the TRAM runs (Avenida Denia, parts of Alfonso el Sabio). Where the tram has dedicated lanes, the parallel road speed limit applies. Always yield to the tram - they cannot brake quickly.
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Last updated: 2026-05-17.