STAYING LEGAL
ncoming_automobile:
N332 & CAR REGISTRATIONS SPAIN
Over the last few weeks there appears to have been an increased number of checks on foreign registered vehicles and in particular those from the UK, following on from the new data sharing agreement between the Spanish and UK authorities that came into force on 16 March 2023.
VEHICLE CHECKS
For a UK vehicle the police have always had access to the public DVLA website where they can check basic vehicle information and also see if the vehicle is taxed, MOT’d and if it’s marked as exported. This is the page that police officers use:
https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk/
EXTRA INFORMATION
In addition to this basic check, Spanish authorities now also have access to vehicle owner information and other relevant data to help investigate traffic offences related to road safety such as speeding, use of mobile phones whilst driving and not wearing a seat belt.
AVOIDING A FINE
If you’re driving a foreign registered vehicle in Spain then you should bear in mind that the vehicle must be legal in it’s country of current registration, so for a UK or European vehicle this means that it must be taxed, have an up to date MOT and of course, be insured. It's important to note that SORN is the same as untaxed and will result in a fine and possible vehicle confiscation here in Spain.
It is also important that you keep the original vehicle registration document in the vehicle or a notarised copy as this is also a legal requirement in Spain.
Another factor to consider is that whilst a non resident can drive a foreign registered vehicle for up to 6 months per year if you are a Spanish resident then it’s just 30 days.
TEMPORARY PLATES
If you have a vehicle that is no longer legal in Spain then it’s usually possible to get temporary import plates (placas verdes) which allow you to insure and drive the vehicle for up to 60 days irrespective of the tax and MOT status of the vehicle in it’s current country of registration.
Temporary import plates are particularly useful if your vehicle has been impounded by the Spanish authorities and also allow your vehicle to remain legal before and during the registration to Spanish plates.
REGISTERING YOUR VEHICLE
Registering your vehicle on to Spanish plates often costs a lot less than you may think and also avoids the risk of fines and possible vehicle confiscation if your vehicle is now illegal here.
If you have a foreign registered vehicle that you would like to register on to Spanish plates or think we can be of service, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with a member of our team.
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Car Registrations Spain S.L. is the leading vehicle registration service of pre-registered foreign vehicles in Spain.
info@car-registrations-spain.com
+34 868 990 576
+44 (0)2380 200 706
https://www.facebook.com/carregistrationsspain/
https://quote.car-registrations-spain.com
