Driving fines you can get in Spain even if you are not behind the wheel
The fines for these common offences can cost as much as 3,000 euros in Spain
The General Directorate of Traffic doles out tens of thousands of fines in Spain each year and since the new regulations came into play a few months ago, penalties for speeding and using a mobile phone have skyrocketed. But you shouldn’t get too comfortable just because you’re not behind the wheel, as passengers can be hit with plenty of fines too.
1. Seatbelts
It’s the responsibility of individual passengers to wear a seatbelt correctly, and if you’re caught without yours, regardless of where in the car you’re sitting, you’ll be fined 200 euros. It’s even worse if a driver isn’t properly restrained, as they’ll also lose four points from their licence.
2. Child seats
Carrying a child in your arms as a passenger is extremely dangerous and considered a serious offence in Spain; not having children securely fastened in appropriate child or baby seats will cost you 200 euros.
3. Feet on dashboard
If you’re short on space, you’d better push the seat back rather than throwing your feet up on the dashboard, as this will result in a fine of between 80 and 100 euros.
4. Windows
Just like the feet on the dashboard rule, sticking your head, arms or feet out of the passenger window will cost you up to 100 euros.
5. Littering
It’s a serious offence to throw anything out of the window as it could cause an accident, and something like a lit cigarette could lead to devastating wildfires. Anyone littering from a car will be fined 500 euros and in the case of the driver, have six licence points deducted.
6. Insurance
Getting caught in a car that doesn’t have insurance is a major problem and will cost you anywhere from 600 to 3,000 euros, depending on the situation.
7. ITV
Vehicles that are more than four years old must undergo regular ITV tests and, if a car circulates with an expired cert, the penalty is between 200 and 500 euros.
8. Unpaid Tolls
Unless a regular driver has been designated or the driver is identified, the fine will fall on the owner of the vehicle.
9. Dodgy parking
As above, if a car is found parked illegally the responsible person is the owner of the car, whether they were driving it at the time or not.
10. Most common offences
According to the DGT, the most frequent driving infractions in Spain are: speeding, alcohol and drug consumption, not wearing a seat belt and using a mobile phone.
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