Driving in Spain may be slightly different to driving back home. Not only do you have to think of new road rules and signs, as well as perhaps driving on the other side of the road, but there are also different rules about what you must carry in your car.
These items are very important for your safety and failure to have them can result in hefty fines if you're found out.
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A reflective vest
According to Spanish law, you must carry a reflective vest in the car in the event that you need to stop on the hard shoulder or side of a busy road in an unforeseen event such as a breakdown or the need to change a tire.
It’s recommended that you carry it inside the passenger compartment and not in the boot so that you get out of the car with the reflective vest already on. The fine for not having one can be up to €200.
ITV Sticker
An ITV sticker, equivalent to MOT in the UK, is a mandatory roadworthiness requirement to be able to drive in Spain. Not having this sticker, despite having passed the inspection successfully, can mean a fine of up to €100.
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Warning triangles
Another safety element that is mandatory to carry in your car in case you have a breakdown on the road are warning triangles. You need to have at least two so that you can put them at the front and back and signal to other drivers that you’re stuck and have a problem. The fine for not having these objects can amount to up to €200. In 2026, this will be replaced by the V-16 light.
Glasses (if you need them)
If you have good vision and don’t need to wear glasses, you don’t need to worry about this one, but if code 01 appears on your driving licence, it means that you are required to wear glasses or contact lenses while driving. Failure to do so will result in a fine of up to €300.
Documents
This is an obvious one, but one that mustn’t be overlooked. There are three documents that you must carry an ensure they are not outdated for all types of journeys in Spain:
Driving Licence (Permiso de conducir)
Vehicle Circulation Permit or Registration Certificate (Permiso de Circulación)
Technical Inspection Card (Tarjeta de Inspección Técnica, ITV)
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There are several other items which it’s a good idea to have in your car, even though they are not mandatory by law and you will not get fined if you don’t have them. They can however, help in emergency cases and increase your safety.
These include:
A set of replacement bulbs
Due to Order PRE-52/2010, it is no longer mandatory to carry a set of spare bulbs in your car, because it is increasingly difficult to change the lights. But, in case your lights do go and you need them in an emergency, it’s a good idea to have them with you.
A copy of your car insurance documents
Again, this is not mandatory, as police are able to look up and check what insurance you have digitally, but it will make the process quicker if you need to make a claim or someone else needs to contact your insurance in case of an accident. If you are in an area where you can access the internet from your phone or you don’t have a device then it’s a good idea to have hard copies of these documents in the car.
Snow chains for your tires
Of course, in a lot of southern and eastern Spain it hardly ever snows, but if you do live in colder areas to the north or areas of high altitude, then you may regularly have to drive in the snow in winter. This is an anti-slip system where chains are placed around your tires so that they do not skid on the ice and snow.
A jump starter
It is a common problem for your car to run out of battery, especially when you’ve left the lights on or if it is old. In order for you not to get stuck and so you can re-start your car, it’s recommend to carry a jump starter with you. These are portable battery devices that transfer power into your car’s battery so it can continue.
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