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Date Published: 05/08/2022

The combo of fines the DGT can hit you with if you run out of petrol

Traffic authorities in Spain will punish drivers for some very common mistakes

They say there are two types of driver: one who only feels comfortable when the tank is almost full and the risk-takers, who think nothing of cruising around with the petrol needle in the red. If you’re a habitual top-up-the-tank-when-it’s-empty kind of motorist you might want to think twice, as the DGT in Spain can slap you with a succession of fines related to running out of gas.

Of course, it’s not an offence in itself to run out of petrol or diesel, and anyone who’s been there knows it’s no fun. With fuel prices reaching all-time highs in Spain, it might be tempting to ignore the warning light, which normally comes on with around 100 kilometres to spare. However, the Traffic authorities have warned of a series of common mistakes made by motorists who allow their tank to run dry.

Mistake #1

Problem number one could happen as soon as you step out of the vehicle. If you’re pulled over on the side of the road, the first thing you have to do is signal to other cars that you’re having a problem. For this, you’ll need to place a warning triangle behind your car or one of the new V-16 lights on the roof of the vehicle. Failure to do so will cost you 80 euros.

Mistake #2

One and two really go hand in hand: if you or any passengers exit the vehicle while it’s pulled over on the hard shoulder, you have to wear a high-vis vest. It’s therefore vital that you always make sure that you have a couple in the car in case of emergency, or this too could result in an 80 euro fine.

Mistake #3

Not exactly a DGT sanction but a costly error all the same: if you break down or run out of gas, your first instinct might be to call a tow truck. Most insurance companies include two or three tows in your annual policy but it’s best to be sure about this, because if the service isn’t covered it will end up costing you a pretty penny.

Mistake #4

This last faux pas is the one which will hurt your wallet the most. If you decide to walk to the nearest filling station and carry fuel back to your car, make certain that you have a legal and approved container. The days of slopping petrol into a plastic milk carton are long gone, and the transport of dangerous goods is regulated by law. Transporting any amount of fuel in the wrong receptacle will result in a fine of up to 3,000 euros.

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