Hard shoulder

The carriageway (calzada) is the part of the road meant for general vehicle traffic; the hard shoulder (arcén) is the adjoining strip outside it. It is not an ordinary lane: some vehicles must use it when it is passable and wide enough, while others may use it only in permitted circumstances. An edge line may show the boundary visually, but a painted line is not required for a strip to be a hard shoulder. Using it routinely or entering it without a permitted reason is not allowed and may be a traffic offence.

To immobilise the vehicle after a breakdown or emergency. It is also used by obligation by animal-drawn vehicles, special vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of no more than 3,500 kg, cycles, mopeds and vehicles for people with reduced mobility whenever there is no road or part of a road specifically set aside for them, provided the shoulder is passable and wide enough; if it is not, they use the minimum necessary part of the carriageway. Vehicles up to 3,500 kg travelling at an abnormally low speed because of an emergency and seriously disrupting traffic must also use it where possible. Bicycles ridden by people over 14 may use the shoulder of a dual carriageway unless a justified safety sign prohibits it and gives an alternative route. Pedestrians with no practicable pedestrian area may use the shoulder or, if necessary, the carriageway, keeping close to its outer edge.

Overtaking on the shoulder of a motorway is completely prohibited, even on a two-wheeler: you overtake in the left-hand lane, and using the shoulder is never permitted. On interurban roads, stopping and parking must happen off the carriageway, on the right, leaving the passable part of the shoulder clear — so parking on it is prohibited. Vehicles required to use the shoulder may not travel in parallel. Exceptionally, mopeds may travel two abreast on a passable, wide-enough shoulder without entering the carriageway; bicycles may also ride two abreast under the regulation and must move into single file where visibility is reduced or congestion forms. Mopeds may not use motorways or dual carriageways at all, not even the shoulder. Bicycles ridden by people over 14 may use a dual-carriageway shoulder only where no safety sign prohibits it and provides an alternative route. Pedestrians are banned from motorways and dual carriageways.