Speeding and failure to wear a seatbelt increase during State of Alarm

Speeding and failure to wear a seatbelt increase during State of Alarm

39% increase in speeding offences during the state of alarm.

Increase in failure to wear seatbelts















Source: www.DGT.es

Automatic notification of traffic fines in Spain

Automatic notification of traffic fines in Spain

Most of us have at some time exceeded the speed limit during our years of driving. The result could be a speeding fine from attentive traffic police or an unseen helicopter hovering overhead searching for traffic infringements.

Some of us may have committed other traffic infractions that, perhaps through ignorance, we hadn’t even realise we were committing.

The result could be a fine and points on our driving licence. However, the fine notification might not arrive until several months later. This may be long after we have forgotten about the incident.

Apart from our memory there are other problems with these notifications. They are sent by post.

How are Spanish traffic fines notified ?

Firstly, whilst I have every respect for post office delivery workers who have to deal with perhaps 20,000 properties all under the same post code, post does go astray. Also a lot of people living in the countryside in Spain frequently experience problems with mail delivery.

traffic finses in spain
Photo: DGT.es

Secondly, if you move house have you remembered to change the registered address of your car in Spain? The advice of a traffic fine may well be delivered but are you still living at that address?

Normally, if you pay the traffic fine within 20 days then you only have to pay half the amount. If you want to dispute the fine, because it appears to be a mistake, then this must be done within 30 days of it being received.

However, if the authorities don’t receive payment or an appeal then the full amount becomes automatically due. Late payment will also result in a surcharge.

The tax authorities take over management of the fine if it remains unpaid. The tax authorities will then try to contact you. In the meantime, the fine may attract further surcharges.

Embargoed accounts and other asset seizure

If the fine continues to be unpaid the tax authorities will start the process of embargoing your bank accounts. If there is insufficient money in the bank they will resort to other measures. This could be to take the money directly from your salary or embargo other assets such as property.

Postal delivery in some areas is not the best and a change of address with the Regional Traffic Office is probably not at the top of our list of people and businesses to advise of a relocation.

How can I receive notification of traffic fines in Spain automatically?

Well, if you are not good at keeping the Spanish authorities up to date with your current location or your postal service is not reliable then the best way to ensure you receive notification of any traffic fines in Spain is by contracting a product that automatically advises you.

For just 20 euros a year (2020) you can purchase a service whereby a company will scan the daily records of fines issued using your details. If they find something they will advise you by text or email. You can then arrange to make the payment, taking advantage of any early payment reduction, or appeal if it appears to be an error.

If it turns out that the infraction was impossible (perhaps some criminal has cloned your registration or you had sold the car) then the product provider will help you to appeal the fine.

The service is provided to the individual so it does not matter how many cars you have. The person who is the owner of the car should take the product. If a couple have numerous cars, some in one partner’s name and some in another, then they should take the product each.

Interested? Fill the form in below and we will explain.

    Infractions that cost you points on your licence in Spain

    Points on your licence in Spain

    Drivers in Spain start with 8 points on their driving licence when they pass their test. So do those who have lost their licence previously and receive it back after serving their penalty.

    After three years and assuming the driver has not lost any points the total increases to twelve. If you don’t commit any infractions for a period of three years the traffic authority will add two points to your total. After another three years, you can gain an additional point up to a maximum of 15 points.

    Points are lost when a driver in Spain is caught breaking the road traffic laws. It depends on the seriousness of the offence as to how many, if any points are lost.

    Probably the most frequent cause of a loss of points on your Spanish driving licence is speeding. If the speed limit is 50 kph and you are doing between 51 and 70 kph you will incur a fine but you won’t lose any points on your driving licence. However, if you are caught doing 71kph  in a 50kph zone then you will be fined and lose two points. Over 80kph and the points lost rises to 4 and then 6 for 91kph plus. Below is a table showing both the fine and the points lost. You may want to read more about Speed limits in Spain here.

    Fines and points lost for speeding in Spain

    There are plenty of other reasons you can lose points on your Spanish driving licence. Some of them are listed below:

    DescriptionPoints lost
    1Driving with excess alcohol in the bloodstream.4-6
    2Driving under the influence of drugs.6
    3Refusing to give an alcohol or drugs test.6
    4Driving recklessly, in the opposite direction or participating in illegal races.6
    5Driving with equipment installed that prohibits traffic surveillance and radar detection.6
    6Exceeding by 50% the time permitted to drive or taking less than 50% of the time for a rest as defined in the legislation for road transport vehicles.6
    7Altering the tachometer or the speed restriction of a vehicle.6
    8Driving without the appropriate category of licence.4
    9Throwing objects into the road that could cause a fire, an accident or block traffic circulation.4
    10Not respecting Stop, give way signs or traffic lights on red.4
    11Improper overtaking.4
    12Overtaking and putting cyclists in danger.4
    13Changing direction where prohibited.4
    14Reversing on a motorway or dual carriageway.4
    15Not respecting the instructions from a policeman directing traffic.4
    16Not maintaining a safe distance behind the vehicle in front.4
    17Driving whilst using the mobile telephone, programming your Sat Nav, using headphones or other devices that may reduce your attention.3
    18Driving without your seatbelt, or without appropriate systems of retention for children.3
    19Driving whilst your licence is suspended or prohibited to use this type of vehicle4

    Speed limits in Spain

    speed limits in spain



    Speed Limits in SPain
    Infographic: DGT.es





    Speeding fines in Spain
    Infographic: DGT.es