Whether you are planning to move to Spain or already living there, it is very important to get familiar with the traffic laws of Spain. Breaching those laws can get you in trouble. Because of high incidents of road accidents, fines for traffic offenses are strictly enforced in the Spain. If you are non-resident of Spain, you will have to pay for the fines on the spot. A traffic ticket contain details about offender, traffic offense description, car plate number, and police agent identifying number.
Common Traffic Offences:
Speeding or Rash Driving: Speed limits in Spain are:
- Residential area: 20 Kmph
- Built-up areas: 50 Kmph
- Country roads: 90 Kmph
- Dual carriage ways: 100 Kmph
- Motorways: 110 Kmph
Speed cameras are installed on the regular intervals to catch speedy drivers. One may have to pay heavy fines with harsh consequences if found guilty of speeding.
Not wearing seatbelt: This act is also a big contributor to the police coffers as many visitors are pulled over for not wearing their seatbelts. It is necessary for all occupants to wear seatbelts, whether in the front or back seat.
Drunk Driving: Drunk Driving is considered as a very serious offence is Spain. Special speed limits are assigned to such drivers. One can get fined if the alcohol level found in breathalyzing tests is above 25mg%.
Improper Parking: Be careful while parking your car. In the case of double parking or stopping your car in an area covered by yellow line can get you fined. In the worst cases, cars are towed off the roads, which mean extra fees to get your car back.
Some less common traffic offences are:
- Exceeding the persons permitted to ride in a vehicle.
- Crossing red light
- Not stopping at stop sign boards.
- Driving under the influence of drugs.
License Point System:
If a person is living in Spain from less than three, he/she will start with 8 points. Everyone else starts with 12 points. One can get more points for good behavior and can lose for various traffic offences. One can get 2 point as a reward for not losing single point in 2 years. One can get maximum 15 points on a license. One can have their license taken off if they lose all the points. Such drivers have to re-appear in driving test after taking 30 hours driving course.
Following deductions rules are usually applied:
- 6 points for drunk driving (50mg %) or refusing to take breath taste for alcohol, driving 150% more than speed limit, rash driving.
- 4 points if speed is 40 Kph is more than allowed limit, drunk driving (25mg %), dangerous or rash driving, throwing waste out of the car, rash overtaking.
- 3 points for using mobile phone while driving, falling to keep allowed distance from other cars in a lane, driving without proper vehicle lights and mirror, not wearing seatbelt or helmet
- 2 points for minor offences.
What happens if Fines are not paid?
You can get your vehicle impound by not paying your fine on time. You will have to pay even more money to get your vehicle back, or else it will be crushed. Therefore, it is recommended to stick to the law if you want to avoid such consequences.
Links:
http://spainlawyer.com/guia-legal/su-vehiculo-y-el-trafico/las-multas-de-trafico
http://www.rac.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?15348-Spanish-speeding-fine-how-on-earth-do-we-pay-them
