Car hire is available from many different agents and hotels. Always ask the total price of your requirements, so that you are fully aware there are no hidden extras right from the start. In order to hire a car in Mallorca you need to be over 23 years of age, hold a full driving licence from your country of residence, and have two years driving experience.

Just take it steady at first - you will soon get used to driving on the ‘wrong side’ of the road. All you have to remember is ‘the centre of the road should always be on the driver’s side’ - just as it is ‘back home’. Beware of people overtaking on the ‘inside’ - it is commonplace over here!

The police are ‘red hot’ on speeding over here so stick to the limits. There are ‘on the spot’ fines and if you do not have the money on you to pay there and then you will be taken to the nearest Guardia headquarters where you will be asked to make arrangements for payment. It is also illegal to use a mobile phone whilst driving.

The speed limits are clearly indicated on most roads, in built-up areas and on motorways..

The nearest petrol station is at the roundabout close to the Cabrabo Supermarket. It is indicated on the map on the centre pages. It is open 24 hours per day, and every day of the year. Many filling stations do, however, close at night, on Sundays, and on Fiestas.

Many Mallorcan filling stations are not self-service. If they are not, then just sit in your car and hand your keys to the attendant, he or she will do the rest. They will expect a tip in the region of 50 centimos for their efforts. If you are filling up at night you must switch your lights off - mobile phones must be switched off al all times in filling stations ... and don't smoke, but this only applies to you, not the attendant!

When ordering petrol do so by specific amounts, i.e. 10, 20, 30 euros etc. If you want your tank filling up all you have to say is: lleno (pronounced ‘Yeno’)


Car Parking

In some  towns car parking is free, but check the signs and also for yellow road markings which indicate no, or restricted, parking.The Pay and Display parking system which is in use in the centre of Cala d’Or is indicated by blue road markings. You are required to ‘pay & display’ between 10.00am -1.30pm and 4.30pm - 8.00pm Monday to Friday and 10.00am - 1.30pm Saturday. Sunday and public holidays are free. The cost is 0,15 euro for 10 minutes, 0,60 euro for an hour and 1,20 euros for two hours.

If you park illegally your car will be towed away and in its place on the pavement will be a red or orange sticker telling you who to phone in order to get it back. Expect to pay around 120 euros. You have been warned...

If you go to Palma for the day, there are plenty of underground car parks - just remember which one you put your car in! The cost is 1,15 euro for the first hour, and then 1,00 euro per half hour thereafter. There are also plenty of Pay & Display meters - the maximum period of stay in metered areas is two hours. However, it is free between 2.00 pm and 4.30 pm and after 8.00 pm.

Moped Hire

For all vehicles over 50 cc a valid driving licence is required. You will also need to produce your passport for insurance registration purposes. Helmets are supplied by the hire company and are usually included in the price - wear them at all times. Moped and scooter driving is a hazardous pastime in Mallorca!