Is it forbidden to drive with foreign license plates in Spain and is it compulsory to change them? We solve your doubts.
Driving a vehicle with a foreign license plate on the roads and streets of Spain could have some legal and administrative implications of a certain importance, since the Spanish regulations so provide, including penalties and fines for this issue, despite the fact that in our country it is very common, especially in summer, that many tourists drive their own vehicles with foreign license plates.
Requirements and regulations to be able to drive in Spain with foreign license plates
In order to be able to drive in Spain with foreign license plates, it is absolutely essential to comply with the established regulations and requirements, the key aspects being the following:
Period of stay in Spain: Spanish legislation details that vehicles with foreign license plates may circulate in Spanish territory for a maximum period of 6 consecutive months within a calendar year, being required that after this period the vehicle be registered in Spain with legal plates of the country.
Residence in Spain: from the moment a foreigner acquires residence in Spain, he/she is obliged to register his/her vehicle within a maximum period of 30 days, following the procedures and requirements established by the DGT, and paying all the corresponding fees and taxes.
Civil liability insurance: Spanish law requires that you always have a valid and operative civil liability insurance policy to cover damages and potential damages that may be caused during the time you are driving with a foreign license plate. It is also essential that the insurance is issued and subscribed with an insurance company that is fully authorized to operate in the Spanish national territory.
The necessary documentation to be able to circulate with a vehicle with foreign plates is the following:
- Driver’s identification document (DNI or passport).
- Document that accredits the residence in Spain (in case of being resident).
- Vehicle registration certificate.
- Valid civil liability insurance.
- Technical inspection card (if the vehicle is new).
Possible penalties and fines
Failure to comply with the Spanish regulations described above may result in significant penalties and fines, which are detailed below:
Fine for failure to comply with stay or registration deadlines.
Circulating with foreign license plates for more than 6 consecutive months within a calendar year without proceeding or having initiated the registration process in Spain, is punishable by a fine ranging from 500 to 1,500 euros (article 93 of the Law on Traffic, Circulation of Motor Vehicles and Road Safety).
Fine for not carrying the mandatory documentation
According to article 65.4 of the General Traffic Regulations, the penalty for this lack of documentation may amount to 100 euros, in addition to the obligation to present the original or certified copy of any of the mandatory documents.
Fine for driving without civil liability insurance
In this case the consequences can be serious, since in addition to a fine for not having it, the driver will have to face all the expenses and damages generated in the accident in which he/she is involved.
Immobilization of the vehicle
The Spanish authorities and their agents are authorized in certain cases to proceed to the immobilization of the foreign vehicle when it is found that the legal requirements described above are not met, which implies the impossibility to circulate in Spain or to continue traveling until the situation is completely regularized and the fines and penalties have been paid.