Road rules, police checks and fines

It is for anyone considering, planning or carrying out a move to Spain. After reading, you should be able to drive within Spanish rules and know what to do when a fine or a police check happens. Accident procedure, legal representation and the residence consequences of offences are not covered here.

Start with "Spanish road rules that differ from your home country". It explains priorities, roundabouts, lights and local habits, which is where most newcomers slip up first. Once you are driving, read the page on how Spanish traffic fines arrive, get discounted and are paid, because fine deadlines are short.

Key rules

• Criminal speeding: Driving more than 60 km/h over the limit in towns, or more than 80 km/h over it on other roads, is a crime.
• Phone fine: Holding a phone while driving costs 200 euros and 6 points.
• Alcohol limit: The limit for most drivers is 0.25 mg/l in breath (0.5 g/l in blood); for novice and professional drivers it is 0.15 mg/l in breath (0.3 g/l in blood).
• Early payment: Paying a traffic fine within 20 natural days of notification cuts it by 50%, but it ends your right to make allegations.
• Allegations deadline: You have 20 natural days from notification to file allegations or identify the driver.
• Fines without Spanish address: If you have no address in Spain, you must pay the fine on the spot or leave a deposit equal to it, or the car can be immobilised.

Road rules, police checks and fines: the whole process, step by step

• Learn the road rules and speed limits before you drive: before your first drive in Spain; read Spanish road rules that differ from your home country and Speed limits and speed cameras in Spain

• Know the alcohol limits and what happens at a roadside test: before you drive; read Alcohol and drug limits and roadside tests

• Handle a police stop: pay on the spot or leave a deposit if you have no Spanish address: at the roadside; read Police checks and when your licence or car is taken

• Receive the fine notice and decide whether to pay early: within 20 natural days of notification you can pay and cut the fine by 50%, which ends your right to make allegations; read How Spanish traffic fines arrive, get discounted and are paid

• File allegations or name the driver: within 20 natural days of notification, through the DGT electronic office, the town hall's own site or on paper at a public registry; read Contesting a fine or naming the driver

• Appeal a sanction that has been imposed: within 1 month for a reposition or higher-body appeal, or within 2 months of notification for a court appeal; read Contesting a fine or naming the driver

• Pay before enforced collection starts: once a sanction is final you get a short voluntary payment period; after it, a 20% surcharge, interest and seizure of accounts or wages can follow

• If your car has foreign plates or is a rental, expect the fine to follow you: after you leave Spain; read Fines on foreign plates, rental cars and after you leave

• Check peak travel days and seasonal conditions before long trips: before holidays and peak weekends; read Driving in snow, fog, floods, fires and holiday traffic

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

• Your ID — Police checks and when your licence or car is taken, Contesting a fine or naming the driver

The home and the lease

• Your driving licence — Police checks and when your licence or car is taken

Payments and receipts

• The submission receipt — Contesting a fine or naming the driver

Guarantees

• Proof that your insurance is paid — Police checks and when your licence or car is taken

Other documents

• The vehicle registration certificate — Police checks and when your licence or car is taken
• The vehicle inspection card — Police checks and when your licence or car is taken
• A reflective vest and warning triangles — Police checks and when your licence or car is taken
• Evidence for your allegations — Contesting a fine or naming the driver

Road rules, police checks and fines: questions that cross several articles

Does speeding ever become a crime in Spain?

Yes, driving more than 60 km/h over the limit in towns, or more than 80 km/h over it on other roads, is a crime. Penalties can include prison, a fine or community work, plus a driving ban of 1 to 4 years. Read Speed limits and speed cameras in Spain for the limits and Police checks and when your licence or car is taken for what happens at a stop.

Do I have to pay a speeding fine on the spot if I live abroad?

Yes, if you have no address in Spain you must pay on the spot or leave a deposit equal to the fine, or the car can be immobilised. Paying at once earns the 50% reduction, and you can still contest afterwards.

Who has priority at a roundabout or an unmarked junction?

At a roundabout, vehicles already inside have priority; at an unmarked junction, priority goes to traffic from the right. Signs, officers' instructions and emergency vehicles override both.

Which speed limit applies in towns and on open roads?

Cars have 120 km/h on motorways and dual carriageways and 90 km/h on conventional roads. In towns the limit is 20, 30 or 50 km/h depending on the street. Local signs override these. Read Speed limits and speed cameras in Spain, and Spanish road rules that differ from your home country for local habits.