Did you know that there are certain objects you are not allowed in your car in Spain and can incur fines?
There are several objects that Spain’s General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) expressly prohibits transporting in your car, as they are considered dangerous or violate the law.
Fines can exceed €30,000 for carrying one of these objects or not complying with the rules.
Firearms
Carrying a gun in a car can result in a fine of more than €30,000 and possible criminal penalties if your don’t have the required documentation and proper transportation permits. In certain cases, the penalty may be higher if it is a danger to public safety.
Knives and other sharp objects
Although knives and other sharp objects that can be used as weapons are not illegal, those may pose danger. Any sharp object with a blade longer than 11 centimeters cannot be carried in a vehicle without authorisation. Fines associated with these types of objects in cars range from €300 to €30,000.
Unauthorised hunting or surveillance devices
This could include items such as hidden cameras or frequency jammers. They are strictly prohibited if no justification for carrying them can be provided.
Driving in Spain: What you should always carry in your car
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Thermal vision googles
These are devices that allow you to observe people or animals at great distances by detecting heat. If carried in a car, it can be considered a sign of illegal hunting or spying and can carry a fine of up to €60,000 in certain regions.
Unregistered or unauthorised drones
If you have registered your drone though and have a licence for it, this is allowed, but to be safe you may want to carry it in the boot.
Unregistered hunting cartridges or ammunition
If you carry unlicensed cartridges in your car, you could face fines of up to €30,000. You may also be arrested or prosecuted for illegal possession of a weapon.
Unregulated dangerous or flammable substances
Don’t place flammable liquids in your car way they could spill and catch alight.
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Unauthorised fireworks, explosives, or any pyrotechnic material
Fines can reach up to €30,000.
Torches that have been modified with the intention of blinding or emitting electric shocks
A torch may seem like a simple and harmless object and is actually a device that many might have in their cars, but if it is modified to give off a brighter light and dazzle other drivers, it is against the law. Fines range from €601 to €30,000.
Pets that can roam freely in the vehicle
Animals cannot be inside the passenger compartment unless properly transported or stopped from moving around. They must ride in designated area so they do not interfere with driving. If they do not have one, they must be restrained in the rear seats, or at least separated from the rear seats by a net or screen.
READ ALSO: The rules for travelling by car with your pet in Spain
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Packages or objects that impair the driver’s visibility
Objects must not be placed on the rear shelf so that the driver’s vision is impaired.
Baseball bats or other blunt objects without apparent justification
Obviously if you’re just going to play a game of baseball, then you should be allowed, but to be on the safe side, carry them in your boot instead of just in the main part of the car.
People not in the proper places
It is prohibited to transport people in places other than those designated for them in vehicles. In vans or trucks for example, they must be equipped with protection to prevent items in the back from harming passengers. The DGT also states that the number of people transported in a vehicle cannot exceed the number of seats.
