City guide
Driving in Gijón as an expat
Gijón is the largest city in Asturias, a coastal industrial port that has reinvented itself around tourism and tech. The city is laid out along a curving beach (San Lorenzo) with the Cimadevilla old town on a headland. Driving is straightforward in the centre, but the surrounding Asturian mountains have some of the most challenging roads in Spain.
Where to take the DGT theory exam in English in Gijón
The Gijón sub-office of the Asturias provincial DGT centre offers the Class B exam. English is available but demand is low - Asturias has a smaller international community than Mediterranean Spain. Waits are usually under 2 weeks.
DGT Gijón (suboficina)
Avda. de la Costa 56, 33205 Gijón
Central Gijón sub-office. Confirm English exam availability when booking.
Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico de Asturias
Oviedo (provincial capital)
Main provincial centre, 30 km south. Larger range of exam slots.
Low-emission zone & environmental sticker
Gijón has not yet activated a ZBE as of 2026. Plans exist for an old-town zone (Cimadevilla) but no enforcement date confirmed.
Parking - what to expect
Central Gijón uses paid blue-zone (ORA) parking, Mon-Fri 10:00-14:00 / 16:00-20:00, Sat 10:00-14:00. Underground car parks under Plaza Mayor and Begoña are reliable. Free street parking is widely available in barrios like El Llano and Pumarín.
Common mistakes expats make in Gijón
- Underestimating Asturian fog on the AS-19 to Oviedo - coastal mountain mists drop visibility rapidly.
- Trusting GPS into Cimadevilla - narrow stair-stepped streets, pedestrian-only sections.
- Driving the Picos de Europa mountain roads (AS-114, AS-263) in winter without snow chains - closures common December-March.
- Parking on San Lorenzo beach promenade - tide-line parking can flood during winter storms (galernas).
Finding an English-speaking driving school
Bilingual driving schools are uncommon in Gijón - the international community is small (mainly British retirees in coastal villages). English-language instruction exists at one or two schools in central Gijón; expect to ring around.
Local driving questions - Gijón
Is the Y autovía (A-8 / AS-II / A-66) free in Asturias?
Yes - the autovía connecting Oviedo, Gijón and Avilés (known locally as "la Y" for its shape) is fully toll-free. It is one of the busiest motorway sections in northern Spain.
How dangerous are Asturian mountain roads in winter?
Variable - the coastal A-8 stays open year-round but mountain passes (Pajares, San Isidro, San Glorio) close frequently with snow. Always check 112 Asturias before crossing inland. Snow chains compulsory in marked sections from November to April.
Can I drive to the Lakes of Covadonga?
During summer (June-October), the road to the Lagos de Covadonga is closed to private cars from 08:30 to 19:30 - you must use the shuttle bus from Cangas de Onís. Outside summer, private car access is permitted but the road is narrow and switchback-heavy.
Is the Gijón port area open to traffic?
Mostly yes - the El Musel commercial port is restricted to authorised vehicles, but the leisure port and adjacent Cimadevilla seafront are open. Parking on the Muro de San Lorenzo (beach promenade) is metered.
What is a galerna and how does it affect driving?
A galerna is a sudden violent storm typical of the Bay of Biscay. Wind shifts from south to north within minutes, with gusts over 100 km/h and torrential rain. Pull off the road if a galerna hits - they typically last 2-6 hours. The AEMET weather agency issues red warnings for severe galernas.
Other city guides
Last updated: 2026-05-17.