Spain

[steve88]

Hi all

I am currently looking to change jobs and one that is on the table is running to Spain and back. I don’t have all the work details as yet but this would be my 1st time running onto the continent.

I was hoping some of you more experienced guys could provide a brief insight of what to expect and any useful tips/help or links that you feel would be appropriate.

It’s probably best to also say that the biggest thing I have driven on continent is a car and that was about 6 years ago…lol

Any info etc would be appreciated.

[dafmad]

You wouldn’t like it you’d be best passing it on to me.

From Irun back they love us English and will gladly wave you past, - not.

[harry_monk]

Steve88:
I was hoping some of you more experienced guys could provide a brief insight of what to expect .

Better, emptier roads, fantastically cheap food, better weather, beautiful scenery, showers everywhere, being treated with respect by Jose Public…

I think that will do for starters.

[euromat]

the only warning i can think of is its used as a drug route, and you will often get pulled up en route back by the customs (douane)

i love spain, same as harry says, and driving across it towards portugal is like driving through the wild west!

[steve88]

Thanks for the replies so far:

Dafmad: Well if I blow the job out i’ll let them know your interested

Harry: I must admit it this is one of the things that has made me consider changing to continental work. The facilities in the UK are so poor now most are a health hazzard. I fully appreciate traffic in Europe can be as bad but being able to run for a few hundred miles without hitting the brakes every few miles would be nice. Plus a change of scenery never goes unappreciated .

Euromat: Thanks for the info, to be honest I don’t mind being pulled as I only work legal, but I take the point about drugs. Just one more thing to be aware of I guess, along with unwanted passengers.

I know it will be different with every company but any ideas on average time away etc. I currently average about 3 nights away a week in the U.K depending on how busy things are. Personally it’s not an issue but the wife will want to know…lol

Plus how are things with customs and border crossings with regards to paperwork etc. I have heard some horror stories with paperwork and drivers getting stuck for days on end.

[chilistrucker]

as others have already said, i think you’ll love it, for the reasons they’ve listed.
your more respected, facilities are much better, re food, showers and parking, and generally the traffic is alot more free flowing. this time of year, it can get abit heavy, heading towards spain, i noticed the other week, queue’s at the last couple of peages, and the border at irun, were much bigger than normal.

i’ve never had a problem with paperwork, (upto now anyway, probably bloody cursed myself now) long as the cmr is all in order, green card, truck docs, and the required amount of legal tachos, you should be fine.
i’m guessing as euromat said, it is known as abit of a drug route, so expect too get stopped a few times, prob mainly by french customs, (they seem too like a uk number plate) but think, if your ok with them, they always seem too be the same back.

good luck, think you’ll love it.

ooo, yeah. take your disco gear, lots of “clubs” in spain

[simon]

Steve88:
I was hoping some of you more experienced guys could provide a brief insight of what to expect and any useful tips/help or links that you feel would be appropriate.

Any info etc would be appreciated.

Have a look at the sticky threads at the top of this forum.
We’ve put a bit of effort into them, to have a lot of tips on hand.
(Not a huge amount of effort mind, but a bit. )

[brit_pete]

Use the search button and look at old posts as regards
driveing abroad,this will help you

Make sure that your CMR is correctly filled out
and do check that the EURO-PERMIT no
is entered on the CMR; YOU need to get the list of
which driveing bans are in force and for which country,#
remember to get the right maps for the countrys you will vist
Check as regards cover when medical problems occur,
get the telephone no of fair trails abroad, as it,s better to be prepared
just in case,read up on the speedlimits and traffic signs as there are
a some signs that are different, as regards when loaded with
HAZ–ADR goods, you will need sparebulbs,hi-viz vest,snowchains
(as and when req); The list is endless and will more than likely be added to
by others once they have seen this post.

[vascoingles]

Make sure that your CMR is correctly filled out

as long as the basics are there no bother

and do check that the EURO-PERMIT no is entered on the CMR;

never been checked on that in 25 years

YOU need to get the list of
which driveing bans are in force and for which country,#

more difficult this one but in both France and Spain you reminden by way of road signs and Matrix boards beforehand

remember to get the right maps for the countrys you will vist

Buy the Maps in the country when you arrive for Spain stop at the first CEPSA petrol station that you see and buy theirs it is as good as you will need is reviewed every year and only costs 8 euros

Check as regards cover when medical problems occur,

the new fangled card for Europe should be readily available even in the socialist republic of the UK

get the telephone no of fair trails abroad, as it,s better to be prepared just in case,

Bit daft this one Pete as you will not be in a position to phone yourself get the number or url and make sure that your boss and nearest and dearest have it as they will be in more of a position to get in contact with someone

read up on the speedlimits and traffic signs as there are a some signs that are different,

I wouldn´t bother too much about this as all EU signs have to by law be virtually self explanitory

as regards when loaded with HAZ–ADR goods, you will need sparebulbs,hi-viz vest,snowchains
(as and when req);

lets put this one 100% straight in Spain HI-Viz and spare bulbs are mandatory anyway with or without ADR, snow chains are not always necessary in Spain and the obligation to use them is only on certain mountain passes, in 25 years have never used the things preferring to park up until the worst has passed as inevitably with snow chains by the time you have put them on and taken them several times it has taken you all day to do 50 kms which is an absolute waste of time

[harry_monk]

Steve88:
Harry: I must admit it this is one of the things that has made me consider changing to continental work. The facilities in the UK are so poor now most are a health hazzard. I fully appreciate traffic in Europe can be as bad but being able to run for a few hundred miles without hitting the brakes every few miles would be nice. Plus a change of scenery never goes unappreciated .

.

Actually, I just posted a diary of a recent trip to Spain on the PDF, it’s here, and it might give you a feel of the place…

trucknetuk.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=34657

What is Nike’s advertising slogan?

[harry_monk]

Simon:
Have a look at the sticky threads at the top of this forum.
We’ve put a bit of effort into them, to have a lot of tips on hand.
(Not a huge amount of effort mind, but a bit. )

Be fair, he may or may not have already done that, but he might just want a chat with some peeps who do Spain work.

[wheel_nut]

brit pete:
Use the search button and look at old posts as regards
driveing abroad,this will help you

Make sure that your CMR is correctly filled out
and do check that the EURO-PERMIT no
is entered on the CMR; YOU need to get the list of
which driveing bans are in force and for which country,#
remember to get the right maps for the countrys you will vist
Check as regards cover when medical problems occur,
get the telephone no of fair trails abroad, as it,s better to be prepared
just in case,read up on the speedlimits and traffic signs as there are
a some signs that are different, as regards when loaded with
HAZ–ADR goods, you will need sparebulbs,hi-viz vest,snowchains
(as and when req); The list is endless and will more than likely be added to
by others once they have seen this post.

Never heard of writing the Genehmigung number or any other permit number on the CMR

[vascoingles]

I think the number that Pete is referring to is the 4 digit number that every transport company has issued to it.
On UK CMR´s I ´m not sure where it appears but on the Dutch ones it is the top right hand corner.

[brit_pete]

yes as VAS wrote every firm has there own
no which has to be entered on your CMR
if you forget it gets expensive when stopped
and the enforcement officer is haveing a
bad day,

[vascoingles]

brit pete:
yes as VAS wrote every firm has there own
no which has to be entered on your CMR
if you forget it gets expensive when stopped
and the enforcement officer is haveing a
bad day,

Pete the only place where any one has tried to fine me for that was of course… …wait for it … it was of course where else but…Belgium

[harry_monk]

Vascoingles:
it was of course where else but…Belgium

The land of Paedo-Chocolates…

[steve88]

chilistrucker:
ooo, yeah. take your disco gear, lots of “clubs” in spain

Thanks for the info, its nice to know. However, although I do still have some flares and a tank top I’m not sure they will fit me any longer as its been about 30 years since I last tried em on…

Simon:

Steve88:
I was hoping some of you more experienced guys could provide a brief insight of what to expect and any useful tips/help or links that you feel would be appropriate.

Any info etc would be appreciated.

Have a look at the sticky threads at the top of this forum.
We’ve put a bit of effort into them, to have a lot of tips on hand.
(Not a huge amount of effort mind, but a bit. )

Thanks Simon I had already looked through the stickies, which are very helpful. But thought a more general view from guys out there would give me a feel for things.

Harry Monk:

Steve88:
Harry: I must admit it this is one of the things that has made me consider changing to continental work. The facilities in the UK are so poor now most are a health hazzard. I fully appreciate traffic in Europe can be as bad but being able to run for a few hundred miles without hitting the brakes every few miles would be nice. Plus a change of scenery never goes unappreciated .

.

Actually, I just posted a diary of a recent trip to Spain on the PDF, it’s here, and it might give you a feel of the place…

trucknetuk.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=34657

What is Nike’s advertising slogan?

Cheers Harry just what I was looking for

Vascoingles:
Make sure that your CMR is correctly filled out
as long as the basics are there no bother
and do check that the EURO-PERMIT no is entered on the CMR;
never been checked on that in 25 years
YOU need to get the list of
which driveing bans are in force and for which country,#
more difficult this one but in both France and Spain you reminden by way of road signs and Matrix boards beforehand
remember to get the right maps for the countrys you will vist
Buy the Maps in the country when you arrive for Spain stop at the first CEPSA petrol station that you see and buy theirs it is as good as you will need is reviewed every year and only costs 8 euros
Check as regards cover when medical problems occur,
the new fangled card for Europe should be readily available even in the socialist republic of the UK
get the telephone no of fair trails abroad, as it,s better to be prepared just in case,
Bit daft this one Pete as you will not be in a position to phone yourself get the number or url and make sure that your boss and nearest and dearest have it as they will be in more of a position to get in contact with someone
read up on the speedlimits and traffic signs as there are a some signs that are different,
I wouldn´t bother too much about this as all EU signs have to by law be virtually self explanitory
as regards when loaded with HAZ–ADR goods, you will need sparebulbs,hi-viz vest,snowchains
(as and when req);
lets put this one 100% straight in Spain HI-Viz and spare bulbs are mandatory anyway with or without ADR, snow chains are not always necessary in Spain and the obligation to use them is only on certain mountain passes, in 25 years have never used the things preferring to park up until the worst has passed as inevitably with snow chains by the time you have put them on and taken them several times it has taken you all day to do 50 kms which is an absolute waste of time

Thanks for the summary, it helps a lot.

Great point about the maps, I do have some and of course my laptop with various navigational software packages I have used over the years.

Never used snowchains but guess theres always room for learning something new…

Thanks to everyone for the replies. The paperwork info is especially helpful to someone making their 1st run and hopefully smooth the way.

Now all I need to do is to remember which side of the road I’m going to be on

[wheel_nut]

If you are going to have to use snowchains, it is always easier to fit them while the sun is shining and they are dry preferably while you are solo

[brit_pete]

VAS i wrote this mate,
just in case,read up on the speedlimits and traffic signs as there are
a some signs that are different, as regards when loaded with
HAZ–ADR goods,France 80kmh when carrying Haz ADR

Germany they have signs for certain Haz ADR loads
The same goes for belgian,Holland,France as regards
the tunnels,

Snow chains ; IF the weather requires them then
sorry , each country has rules which when enforced
will allow a fine to be raised if they so wish,

AS regards the telephone no for Fair trails yes you are right
but me i like collecting telephone no.s

[thebear]

Steve, I noticed no one answered your query about how long you could be away.
It really is hit and miss, mate. It all depends where you ship from for a start. If you use Portsmouth or Poole, you are a fair bit closer to Spain then. In the unit I have now, I can make the border at Irun from Caen in just under 10 hours drive with a good run. It all depends what you are carrying … if you are pulling chilled back from Spain, then you can run Sundays. If not, you’re parked up from 10pm Sat night til 10 pm Sun night. I always reckon on 2 cards back from Valencia to Caen. I have never managed Murcia back to Caen in anything under 22 hours driving so you’re into a third card. From Madrid, reckon on 2 cards … same for Barcelona.
I would say if you are going down with one hitters and reloading with one hitters (if unlucky you can reload at two or three packhouses with oranges), then you are looking at 5 or 6 days.
As an example of being sodded about … I went down to Gibraltar in Feb (last time I saw sunny Spain ). I left on Monday lunchtime via Dover. Tipped near Gib Thursday morning. Boss mucked up and let a one hitter go that was for Liverpool from Murcia. Took on a load from Elche that was loading supposedly at 2pm Friday. I finally got loaded with a load of groupage weighing a grand total of 6 tonnes at 1am. I made it back to Castets by 11pm Sat night and sat out the driving ban (the one and only time I have pulled a euroliner on this firm). I left at 0330am Mon and caught the afternoon boat from Caen. Arrived back in UK with 3 drops at Street, Leicester and Bradford. Tipped them and reloaded Wed afternoon for Basingstoke. Tipped Basing Wed night and home by 0200 Thurs. So was away for 10 days.