Here we offer a little reminder of fines on Spanish roads, in addition to the obvious: Not breaking the law comes cheaper!
Let’s find out about the most common traffic fines in Malaga, penalities and how to pay a fine with a rental car.
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Table of Contents
Traffic Fines in Malaga
At Malagacar.com every day we get a lot of – mostly – speeding fines.
In the province of Malaga they are mainly from two points along the Mediterranean Motorway A-7. It is important to note that these are stretch radars from a point A to another B. They calculate the average speed between the two.
Between Fuengirola and Marbella from km 205.2 to km 200 the speed limit is 80km / h. Thus it is of no use to slow down only at the beginning and the end, since this radar takes the average.
The same applies in the tunnel from Torrox to Nerja from km 287.7 to km 288.7. In the tunnel there is a speed limit of 100 km / h. Exceeding the average, the radar at the end of tunnel gets activated automatically.
We also remind you that currently the DGT (Spanish Dirección General de Tráfico) has no obligation to stop, in order to notify that you have been fined.
Driving licence points system
Before we find out more about the most common fines in Malaga and what happens when we receive one, let’s take a closer look at the points system. It may not affect you if you are a EU resident. But if you live in Malaga or are planning to do so, this information may be of interest to you.
How many points do I have?
When we pass the driving test, we are given an initial balance of 8 points. If in the following 3 years we do not commit any offence that subtracts points, 4 more points are added. After another 3 years without offences, 2 more points are added. And another 3 years later with no offences, a final point is awarded. In other words, if we drive decently, we can “acquire” a total of up to 15 points on our licence.
What if I have no points left?
Well, frankly, maybe you can do a bit better at driving in a more prudent and civilised manner?
If you have no points left: You must wait 2 years before you can recover the initial balance. What’s more, these 2 years must pass without being penalised for a new offence.
By the way: Driving without points is punishable by prison of 3 to 6 months or a fine of 12 to 24 months.
Do I get points deducted as a foreign tourist?
At the moment there is no unified European system for deducting points from a foreign driver’s licence.
This means, if you are, for example, a British national residing in the UK: It will not affect the points on your licence. But you won’t get rid of the fine.
Traffic offences that deduct points
Some penalties have increased considerably: Driving with a mobile phone in your hand. Not respecting cyclists and pedestrians. Throwing cigarettes and objects out of the window. Or not using restraint systems, among the most important.
| Infraction | Points | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Driving with an alcohol level of more than 0.50 mg/l breathed air | 6 | 1.000 € (**) |
| Driving with a breath alcohol level above 0.30 mg/l if you are a professional or a driver with a licence for less than 2 years | 4 | 1.000 € (**) |
| Driving with a blood alcohol level between 0.25 and 0.50 mg/l | 4 | 500 € (**) |
| Between 0,15 and 30 mg/l, for professional drivers and drivers with a licence for less than 2 years | 4 | 500 € (**) |
| Driving with drugs in your system | 6 | 1.000 € (**) |
| Refusing to take alcohol or drug tests | 6 | 1.000 € (**) |
| Driving in a reckless manner, driving in the wrong direction, or taking part in unauthorised races or competitions | 6 | 500 € (**) |
| Driving vehicles fitted with radar jammers, speed cameras or any other similar device | 6 | 6.000 € |
| For professional drivers, exceeding the driving time by more than 50% or reducing the rest period by more than 50% | 6 | 500 € |
| Tampering with or assisting in the tampering of tachographs or speed limiters | 6 | 500 € |
| Holding a mobile phone in your hand while driving | 6 | 200 € |
| Throwing objects on the road that could cause fires and accidents | 6 | 500 € |
| Failure to stop at a stop sign, failure to yield at a yield sign or running a red light | 4 | 200 € |
| Dangerous or improper overtaking | 4 | 200 € |
| Overtaking cyclists without respecting the minimum separation of 1.5 metres, or hindering their progress | 6 | 200 € |
| Failure to respect the signs and indications of law enforcement officers or variable message signs | 4 | 200 € |
| Failure to maintain safety distance | 4 | 200 € |
| Failure to use or improper use of seat belts, helmets or child restraints | 4 | 200 € |
| Driving without a proper driving licence or permit | 4 | |
| Driving with an expired or suspended licence or being banned from using the vehicle you drive | 4 | 500 € |
| Reversing on motorways and dual carriageways | 4 | 200 € |
| Making an illegal U-turn | 3 | 200 € |
| Driving while wearing a helmet or headset, carrying a mobile phone between the helmet and the head, manually manipulating the navigator or using a mobile phone (other than hands-free) | 3 | 200 € |
| Vehicles fitted with radar or speed camera jammers or speed cameras | 3 | 200 € |
(*) These financial penalties are generic. They can increase in certain cases, such as repeat offenders.
(**) These offences may also be considered a criminal offence.
Source: Law 18/2021, of 20 December on Traffic, Circulation of Motor Vehicles and Road Safety. BOE 21 December 2021
About traffic fines in Malaga
What if you have violated any restrictions with your rental car in Malaga? Do you have to pay a fine? And how is the process if you live abroad? Continue reading to know the answers to those and more questions.
I have a traffic ticket, now what?
Malagacar.com as the car owner receives a notification from the DGT on the fine. Our administration proceeds to notify the driver with an informative email about the charge and a summary of the fine. Then the customer must wait to receive the original notification of the DGT in their habitual residence. And then make the payment within the time limit stipulated there.
How much are the traffic fines in Malaga?
Fines in terms of cost and points on your license are depend on the severity of the offence. Parking penalties have a lesser fine. But for instance a speeding violation which could cost up to 600 € and up to six points on your driving license.
What happens if I don’t pay the fine?
It’s not a good idea just to ignore the fine as your bank account could be debited.
Discount for early payment
If you pay the traffic fine within 20 days of receipt, you will usually receive a discount of around 50%.
Where can I pay my fine?
You can either pay the fine at a local bank or online via the DGT website. Link to the online application:
If you’re one of our foreign customers with traffic fines in Malaga, please contact us by phone or email, we are happy to help.
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