Phones, seat belts and child seats: what Spain requires

Key rules

• Phone: Holding a phone while driving costs 200 euros and 6 points.
• Earphones: Earphones in your ears are banned even for calls; use the car's built-in hands-free system.
• Seat belts: Every occupant must be belted, in front and rear seats.
• Child seat: Children 135 cm or shorter must use an approved child restraint in the rear seat.

Phones: don't hold one

Holding a phone while driving costs 200 euros and 6 points. Handling or reading any screen that is not mounted for navigation is also penalised.

Hands-free calls through Bluetooth or the car's built-in system are allowed. Put the phone in a mount or use the car system before you set off.

Earphones and headphones

Earphones or headphones connected to a phone or sound device are banned while driving, even for calls. The fine is 200 euros and 3 points. A built-in hands-free system is the legal way to take calls.

Seat belts: every seat

Everyone in a car or van must wear a seat belt, in the front and the back, or use the right child restraint. The fine is 200 euros and 4 points. The driver is responsible for passengers who are minors.

A few exemptions exist. They include a driver who is reversing, people with a medical exemption certificate, delivery staff in urban zones and certain emergency vehicles. Carry the certificate if you have one.

Children and child seats

Children 135 cm or shorter must use an approved child restraint in the rear seat. It must suit their height and weight.

A child of 135 cm or shorter may sit in front only in limited cases:

• The vehicle has no rear seats.
• The rear seats are taken by other children in restraints.
• The restraints cannot fit in the back.

A rearward-facing seat in the front needs the airbag switched off.

Between 135 and 150 cm, a child may use the seat belt, but a booster is still advised for a better fit.

Taxis and short city trips

In taxis and urban journeys, a child of 135 cm or shorter may ride in the rear seat without a restraint. They should use the seat belt if it fits. They may not sit in front.

Before you drive

• Buy a child seat that matches your child's height and weight before your first trip.
• Check that your phone mount or car system works before you set off.
• Make sure every passenger is belted before you move.

The warning and FAQ below cover the common mistakes and questions.

What to watch out for

• Holding a phone costs money and points: Holding or handling a phone or any device while driving costs 200 euros and 6 points. Reading a screen that is not mounted for navigation is also penalised. Use Bluetooth or the car system for calls, and mount your navigation screen before you set off.

• Earphones are banned even for calls: Earphones or headphones in your ears while driving cost 200 euros and 3 points, even if they are hands-free. Use only the speaker system built into the car.

• Seat belts apply to every seat: Everyone in a car or van, front and rear, must wear a belt or the right child restraint. The fine is 200 euros and 4 points, and you are responsible for minors. Check every belt before you move off, including in the back.

• Children 135 cm or shorter need a child seat: Children 135 cm or shorter without an approved restraint in the rear seat cost 200 euros and 4 points. Front seat use is allowed only if there are no rear seats or the restraints cannot fit. A rearward-facing seat in front needs the airbag deactivated. Bring or hire an approved seat suited to the child's height and weight before you drive.

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear headphones while driving in Spain?

No, driving with headphones or earphones connected to a phone or sound device is banned in Spain, and the fine is 200 euros and 3 points. Hands-free systems built into the car are allowed. Earphones in your ears are not, even for a call.

Can a child under 135 cm sit in the front seat?

Yes, but only if the car has no rear seats, the rear seats are taken by other children in restraints, or the restraints cannot fit there.

Do children need a child seat in a taxi?

No, in taxis and urban journeys children 135 cm or shorter may ride in the rear seat without a restraint. Use the seat belt if it fits. They still cannot sit in the front.

Do children between 135 and 150 cm need a booster?

No, a booster is not mandatory for children between 135 and 150 cm, and they can use the seat belt from 135 cm. A booster is still advised for them because it makes the belt fit better.

Who pays the fine if a passenger is not wearing a seat belt?

The driver is responsible for minors in the car, so a child without a belt or restraint is your problem as driver. The fine is 200 euros and 4 points. Drivers reversing and people with a medical exemption certificate are among the few exceptions.