Quick answer: You do not need a car in Benidorm itself, but one is useful for day trips inland and up the coast. Most visitors hire at Alicante airport, about 45 minutes away. Before you drive, know two newer rules: Benidorm has a low emission zone (ZBE) covering the Old Town and the streets nearest the beaches, with speeds of 20 km/h or less, and since 1 January 2026 Spanish cars must carry a connected V-16 warning beacon instead of triangles.
Benidorm's low emission zone (ZBE)
Benidorm's "Zona 1" low emission zone covers about 63 hectares: the Old Town, the Levante area and the Poniente promenade. Speeds inside are generally limited to 20 km/h, and to 10 km/h on some streets (Alicante Plaza, RACE). The zone came into effect on 1 July 2025.
Hotel and apartment guests are among the exempt groups, along with tourist minibuses and workers in the zone (Alicante Plaza). Ask your hotel to register your number plate.
Older cars without a DGT environmental label have been allowed in under a moratorium, which the council extended for another year in March 2026 (El Debate).
Hire cars are usually recent and labelled, but check with the hire company if you are driving your own foreign-registered car.
The V-16 beacon
Since 1 January 2026, the connected V-16 beacon has replaced warning triangles in Spain (Autofácil). If you break down, you place the flashing beacon on the roof, and it alerts the traffic authority. Hire cars registered in Spain should carry one; check it is in the car before you leave the desk.
Key Spanish driving rules
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Motorways and dual carriageways | 120 km/h |
| Urban streets with one lane each way | 30 km/h |
| ZBE streets in Benidorm | 20 km/h, some 10 km/h |
| Drink-driving | 0.5 g/l in blood (0.25 mg/l breath); 0.3 g/l for new and professional drivers |
| Mobile phones | Hand-held use banned |
| Driving side | Right |
Check whether your licence needs an International Driving Permit for Spain.
Where to hire
Alicante airport: the widest choice and the best prices. See our Alicante airport guide.
In Benidorm: several rental desks in the centre and the Rincón de Loix, convenient for one or two days.
Check the fuel policy, the excess and whether the deposit is taken on a credit card.
Parking and tolls
Street parking near the beaches is scarce in summer. Use the public car parks listed in our parking guide. The AP-7 motorway between Alicante and Valencia has been toll-free since 2020, which makes trips to Jávea, Valencia or Elche straightforward.
Do you need a car in Benidorm?
Not for town. Buses, the TRAM and taxis cover the resort, and the ZBE makes driving in the centre slow. A car pays off for inland villages, Guadalest and Algar on the same day, Jávea, or golf and cycling trips.
Car hire and driving: FAQs
Does Benidorm have a low emission zone? Yes. It covers the Old Town and the streets nearest Levante and Poniente, with 20 km/h speed limits.
Can tourists drive in Benidorm's ZBE? Hotel and apartment guests are exempt; ask your accommodation to register your car.
Do I need a V-16 beacon in a hire car? Spanish-registered cars must carry one since January 2026; check your hire car has it.
What is the drink-drive limit in Spain? 0.5 g/l in blood, or 0.3 g/l for new and professional drivers.
Are there tolls near Benidorm? The AP-7 between Alicante and Valencia has been toll-free since 2020.