Is it legal to drive without a shirt on in Spain?
The Traffic authorities in Spain will fine any driving behaviour they consider distracting or risky
Each and every summer motorists in Spain question the country’s weird and wonderful driving laws to make sure they don’t get caught out and slapped with a fine. One of the most confusing grey areas is whether or not people are allowed to wear flip-flops behind the wheel, and the answer is yes. Kind of!
According to the DGT, while wearing flip-flops when driving isn’t prohibited, it is strongly discouraged, since these shoes can easily slip off the foot and become wedged under the pedal, greatly increasing the risk of an accident.
Another regulation motorists aren’t sure about is whether or not they are allowed to drive without a shirt on. This is particularly topical at the moment since Spain is cruising towards yet another heatwave and our vehicles can be sweltering in this weather. Even the Spanish President has suggested that we dress down in the summer, so surely it’s OK to strip off in the privacy of our own cars?
The reality is that driving shirtless can actually land you with a fine if the traffic officers believe that it may be impeding your driving, and since the law stipulates that any action which poses a distraction or risk to either passenger or driver may be sanctioned, wearing flip-flops and going without a shirt could get you in trouble.
The main reason travelling shirtless is frowned upon, according to the DGT, is that the seatbelt could cause a serious injury in the event of an accident, as well as resulting in some minor embarrassment if a half-dressed motorist is stuck at the side of the road because of a break-down.
The Traffic authorities recently reminded motorists of the risks on their Twitter account, writing: “Driving with flip-flops or without a shirt can condition your freedom of movement and affect safety… and do you know that it is punishable?”
The sanctions vary depending on the officer you meet, but can range from 80 euros for minor offences to as much as 200 euros and three points from your licence if the agent believes you are causing a significant risk.
Other common reasons for receiving a fine in the summer months are driving with your elbow out the window, or your passenger putting their feet up on the dashboard, which can result in horrific injuries if there is an accident.
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Image: Flickr
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