Points System

From 01 of July 2006 the points system was introduced in Spain. The system is slightly different from the UK as you start with an amount of points and they are deducted for offences. If you are a driver with more than 3 years experience you are given 12 points. If you are a new driver with less than 3 years experience you are given 8 points. If you have lost all of your current points when your license is returned you only receive 8 points.

For drivers who do not have any point infringements for 3 years the points will be increased by 2 points after the 3rd year and then you would obtain one point more for each following year until you reach a total of 15 points.

On the 23^rd of November 2009 the points system received a major overall and the changes will come in to affect 6 months later on the 23^rd of May 2010. After that date the points system will be as follows:

Due to a change in regulation the points system has changed and the offences have been reclassified in three categories minor, major and serious.

Minor offences: offences are considered to be minor if they are against the law but are not classified until the major or serious offences, for example a minor offence could be a cyclist not using reflective clothing and safety equipment. Minor offences will usually incur a fine of 100 euro.

Major offences: most major offences are likely to incur a 200 euro fine.

a)     Not respecting speed limits. (Please see the full table explanation).

b)     Driving at an average speed that is higher that the speed limit.

c)     Not respecting the following, give ways, overtakes, changes of direction, reversing, lane direction changes, use of lanes and paths and the special directions due to safety or congestion.

d)     Parking or stopping in a bus lane, on a corner, on a slope, in parking zones that are designated for disabled people, tunnels, underground passes, road junctions and in any other area that could be deemed dangerous or that would cause an obstruction for the traffic or especially for pedestrians.

e)     Driving without the use of the correct lighting when it is necessary, except for a bike when the offence would be considered minor.

f)     Driving whilst using ear plugs, ear phones or any other device that could lower the attention of the driver.

g)     Driving whilst manually using a mobile telephone, satellite navigation system or any other communication system.

h)     Not using a seat belt, car seat, helmet or other method of safety protection.

i)      Riding a bike with a child under 12 as a passenger.

j)      Not respecting the orders of an agent who controls the traffic.

k)     Not respecting a red stop light.

l)      Not respecting a STOP sign or a give way sign.

m)   Negligent driving.

n)     Throwing on to the road or its surrounding areas objects that could cause a fire or an accident or that cause an obstruction.

o)     Not maintaining a safety gap.

p)     Driving with a vehicle that does not comply with the technical regulations that are in place.

q)     Driving without your vehicles number plate being clearly legible.

r)     Not providing a police officer with your details and those of your car after being involved in a car accident.

s)     Driving a vehicle that has a badly fitted load or a load that could fall.

t)     Driving a vehicle whilst banned.

u)     Driving a vehicle with a suspended Permiso de circulacion.

v)     Driving a vehicle with an excessive number of passengers.

w)    Not preventing your car from being driven by a person who doesn’t have the necessary licence to do so.

x)     Not complying with the driving school rules and regulations.

y)     Driving on a motorway or dual carriageway with a vehicle that is not permitted.

Very serious offences: are likely to incur a 500 euro fine.

a)     Not respecting speed limits. (Please see the full table explanation).

b)     Driving at an average speed that is higher that the speed limit.

c)     Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or narcotics.

d)     Refusing to participate in a breath test, or a test that could detect possible intoxication of drugs, especially in the event of an accident when all road users implicated should be tested.

e)     Reckless driving.

f)     Driving the wrong way to the permitted way.

g)     Participation in unauthorized competitions and/or races.

h)     Driving a vehicle that has a radar detection system or a radar interference system.

i)      Driving for more than 50% of the permitted time or reducing the rest time by more than 50% as established in the transportation law.

j)      Not identifying the driver of the vehicle at the time of the offence and/or within the time scale.

k)     Driving without a licence.

l)      Driving without an administrative authorization or with one that is not valid.

m)   Driving with a vehicle that does not comply with the technical regulations that are in place and that would seriously affect the safety.

n)     Participating or help fitting any item that would affect the taco or speed limiter.

The loss of points is as follows

You lose three points for:

–           Carrying out a U turn when it is prohibited.

–           Using a mobile phone, without a hands free (however this is a grey area) or if you are using earphones, i.e. an mp3 or an iPod.

–           If you don’t wear/use the appropriate safety equipment where it is obligatory or necessary, i.e., a seat belt or a helmet.

You lose four points for:

–           Driving with you blood alcohol levels higher that 0.25 mg/l up to 0.50 mg/l.

–           Driving without having the necessary licence to do so.

–           Throwing out of the car anything that can cause a fire or an accident, i.e., a lit cigarette.

–           Not stopping a STOP sign, driving thought a red light or not respecting priority.

–           Overtaking posing a danger to a vehicle coming in the opposite direction or where there is low visibility.

–           Overtaking endangering a cyclist.

–           Reversing on a motorway.

–           Not respecting a police persons orders.

–           Not maintaining a safety gap.

–           Driving when banned from driving or driving unauthorized in someone else’s car

You lose six points for:

–           Driving with your blood alcohol levels higher that 0.50 mg/l.

–           Driving under the influence of drugs (NB this can include some prescription drugs).

–           Driving dangerously, driving in the wrong direction or participating in an unauthorized competition.

–           Refusing an alcohol test.

–           Using any form of radar detection.

–           Exceeding the permitted driving time but over 50% or reducing the rest time by up to 50%

–           Tampering with a taco or speed limiter

Fines and points for speeding:

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