Wabryce wrote:I have read on the forum about more rules while driving, you must have a shirt/ top on , cannot drive with your arm out the window, no flip flops, also you cannot eat or drink whilst driving, not sure how accurate this is. ,!!
Every year the DGT (the Directorate General for Traffic) comes out with a "myth-buster" about these things. Published in summer (when the tourists come) it points out what is correct and what is not.
No shirt. This is not against the law. However, it is advised you shouldn't because, if you suddenly have to stop, the seat belt could cut into you or cause injury to internal organs.
No flip flops or open back sandals. Again, not against the law but, if you have an accident, it could invalidate your insurance as you may have slipped off the pedal or whatever and not in control of the vehicle.
Arm out the window. DGT points out there can't be a law against it as what constitutes an arm outside? 2 cm, dangling down the side, right out of the window? No, no law but you can be stopped for careless driving as you don't have both hands on the steering wheel.
Now, whilst the above is not illegal, if you get stopped by one of those blokes in the green and white cars with guns hanging from their belts, best of luck if you want to argue.
Loose items in the car. Shopping can fall out of bags and smaller items can go flying if you brake suddenly. Especially pets who must have a barrier between them and the passengers. Even worse if you are in an accident and a bottle of HP sauce flies into the bag of your head (or a can of beans etc).
Eating and drinking whilst driving. Yes, against the law. Whilst not specifically against the law in UK, you can be stopped for driving without undue care and attention. Mobile phone usage is against the law in both countries.
Use of headphones is not illegal in UK but, if the police think you are being distracted, they can stop you. In Spain it is illegal.
Loads of other things you can get done for without even moving such as parking against the flow of traffic, using a phone or leaving the radio/engine on at a petrol station. Dirty headlights, dirty windows and so on.
Now, back to the original. No, you cannot change the colour of the outside of your house without permission even if you don't live on a community. You need a works licence from the ayuntamiento to do this and it could be refused if it doesn't blend in with the surroundings. Community presidents or administrators should have colour codes on record for you to use. Even in UK, people have been done for painting their houses in weird colours (one in London got prosecuted for painting the front door in multi-colours I seem to remember).
On a community, you can change colour if you agree at an AGM and everyone else changes theirs. For example, our rules stated walls must be a yukky yellowish colour but it was changed and we now all have white ones. Same as balustrades etc but this was done by an AGM vote.
There are loads of things that you need permission for both on and off a community, especially if it alters the outside appearance. This permission, of course, depends on who you speak to. I've had people tell me you can't paint the interior walls in a different colour or change the tiles in the kitchen or bathroom without permission. However, speaking to Spanish contractors or shop owners, they say you can do anything inside (except knock down or put up internal walls) but need permission for anything outside.