Menorca Driving Guide
including Petrol Stations and Parking Information
Driving on Menorca
A First-Time UK Driver’s Guide to Menorca - What's it like? Rules and regulations, Road network and Ideas for Road Trips. Plus the 'nasty' stuff like fines.
Good to Know
Roads on Menorca & what to expect
Menorca was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1993 and is one of the best preserved natural paradises in the Mediterranean. The road network reflects this - No Motorways, limited coastal roads, myriad of original winding small narrow lanes often with (high) dry stone walls. That all said the traffic is light ( exceptions in July/August on main roads ).
Menorca - what to expect
There is only one backbone road ME-1, which can get busy and NO MOTORWAYS
Know where the few Petrol Stations are and opening times
- Mahon will be signposted as Maó
- Binibeca will be signposted as Binibéquer
Regulations
- If no signs in towns 50 Km/h , outside towns 90 Km/h
- Seatbealts Compulsory front and rear - ( police may stop and issue on the spot fines!)
- Children under 12 should sit in the back in correct seats for their height
- Max Alcohol is 0.25
- Using a Mobile fine ( upto 600 Eur. )
- Driving in shoes/sandals with no heel straps is illegal
Getting used to driving on the Right
Menorca follows standard Spanish road rules:
Drive on the right-hand side and overtake on the left.
Roundabouts operate clockwise — give way to traffic approaching from the left.
It usually takes only a few minutes to adjust. Take your first drive slowly, especially when exiting car parks or turning onto major roads.
How easy is it to drive on Menorca
Driving around Menorca is generally easy. The road system is small consisting mostly of a few major roads (connecting to a single east to west main road,the ME-1) and delightfull smaller narrow roads (Camis). There are no motorways and very few dual carriageways. Seat belts are compulsory front and rear and there is a no tolerance to drink driving with on the spot fines if caught.
PARKING
In historic towns like Ciutadella and Mahón, central areas may have limited-access & resident only parking zones —pay attention to colours!
VADO PERMANENTE_GUAL PEMANENT where ever you see this sign do NOT park there e.g driveway,garage and vehicular access opening.
Look at the colour of the lines! Particulalry in towns there parking slots / areas are marked with blue lines and sometimes the word 'Ticket'. These are Park and Pay parking bays. Machines may be someway down the road, so don't be tempted to not pay and display a ticket. Prices are reasonable starting at 20 mins for 20 cents.
Popular beaches (Macarella, Mitjana, Turqueta, etc.) have total bans, restricted numbers in high season. Expect early arrivals or using a beach bus
Some Menorca towns impose street parking restrictions for non residents during certain hours eg Es Castell .
Know your road signs
The majority of road signs are standard throughout Europe.
- camino cerrado = road closed
- centro = city center
- curva = curve
- desvio, desviacion = diversion
- de sentido único, sentido obligatorio = one-way
- entrada prohibida or adelantamiento prohibido = no entry
- estacionamiento, aparcamiento = parking
- salida = exit
- sin salida = dead end/ Cul de Sac
- peatones = pedestrians
- peligro = danger
- policia= police
- prohibido, prohibida = prohibited
- velocidad maxima = speed limit
Regulations
Driving around you will often notice quite a few Traffic Police ( Guardia Civil Trafico ) stop checks - mainly looking for uninsured and untaxed vehicles so hire cars with 'obvious' tourists inside are unlikely to be stopped. HOWEVER do not think about drinking and driving ... the penalties are very strict and the legal levels LOW.
Seat belt wearing front and back is COMPULSORY with on the spot fines and children under 12 ( or 135 cm height ) should sit in the back of hire cars with booster/child seats so that seat belts fit correctly ( Fines! ).
V16 Beacon
Since Jan 1 2026 spanish registered cars must carry this emergency beacon - how does this affect you , plus Hire Cars Menorca and v16 beacon
Speed Limits & Safety
Standard limits across Menorca:
- 50 km/h in built-up areas
- 90 km/h on most rural roads
- 100 km/h only on select dual-carriage stretches (rare)
Using a phone while driving is strictly prohibited
Speed Cameras
Folks love to exagerate online but Menorca Speed cameras on Menorca are there for safety! Very visible WARNING signs which often flash are there to get you to slow down NOT make money!
Speeding Fines and Parking Tickets
Myths - Brexit means you can leave Menorca with unpaid parking tickets and traffic fines. FALSE! Police can issue on the spot fines including for incorrect child seating in cars / Taxis. Hire car companies will simply pass on your details to the police and you will eventually receive a notification. UK authorities are ramping up sharing DVLA's database of names and addresses.
Petrol Stations and Filling up
Petrol stations can work in different ways to back home plus there are only relatively few petrol stations and most have restricted opening hours so be careful you don't get caught out.
Filling up will often mean paying at the desk in advance How it works - Note your pump number, goto to the counter ask for gasolina sin plomb ( unleaded petrol ) or diesel and an amount. The pump will fill automatically to this amount . Most petrol stations are open from 07 - 22:00 weekdays.
There are small unknown brands that offer an 'automated' service on very small forecourts and . Law requires the attendant is present.
Menorca Holiday Driving Tips
Most of the petrol stations are inland so be carefull with hire cars at your coastal beach resort. If your accommodation is NOT in the south east you need to make sure you have enough fuel to get back to resort AND back out to fill up, possibly 25km or more.
Don't forget photo ID if paying by credit card - Most stations accept UK debit/credit cards.
Don't forget that a local fiesta may mean a station is closed.
Check out our locations map with opening times for nearest petrol station.
While locals seem to constantly try parking in impossible places don't try it yourself - they have the claim that the tourists have taken up all the spaces -which is often true in Summer!
Do you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
No you do not need an IDP to drive in Spain for short visits (up to six months) if you have a UK photocard licence
Car Hire
Our guide to Airport Car Hire without the stress provides recommendations and will help you avoid any unpleasant rentals experiences.
You should always have the hire documents with you while driving about including a current driving licence and your photo ID (passport) ( preferably as a photocopy ). Drivers normally must be at least 25 years of age and have held a full licence for at least 3 years for insurance to apply. Drivers between 21 and 24 can sometimes pay an excess - See individual hire firms policies.
Menorca Holiday Tips
Breakdowns / Accidents
If you have a breakdown or accident in the past you were required by law to use the red warning triangle. Now you must use the NEW V16 beacon
Automatic cars are much less common — book early if you prefer one. Menorca is small and returning a car with an empty fuel tank is not as easy as it sounds -check carefully with hire company on their current fuel returns policy.
Menorca's Road Network
There is nothing like the freedom of a car to explore. Many of Menorca most beautiful spots cannot be reached with public transport.
The central ME-1 is the main connecting route along the island
Map to download
Menorca Driving Tours and Road Trips
Some favourite drives
El Toro ( Monte Toro ) : A winding ascent to the island's highest point, offering panoramic views - free car park.
Cala Morells Caves, Cap Favaritx, Es Alocs area in small countryside lanes to wilder coasts eg Cala Pilar Beach