Driving in Spain: Documents to Carry in your Car

Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt, May, 10. 2017

Lawyer Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt explains what documents are required when driving in Spain.

By Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt
Lawyer – Abogado
Wednesday 10^th of May 2017

Photo credit: José Manuel Casal

Whilst driving in Spain, you can be stopped at any point in time by the Guardia Civil or the National Police. It is strongly advised that you carry all the documents required by law (whether you are resident or non-resident).

In addition, Spanish-plated cars are expected to carry a series of extras which can also be checked besides the documents.

1. Spanish-Plated Cars: Mandatory Documents

European Driving licence (in force).
Permiso de Circulación (vehicle registration document).
Tarjeta de inspeccion técnica ITV (equivalent to the UKs MOT report.)
ITV sticker (to prove you are driving an MOT-compliant car).
Car insurance. Spanish police can now find online if your car is insured. It is no longer required you carry a receipt of having paid it.
Resguardo Impuesto sobre Vehículos de Tracción Mecánica (IVTM). Receipt of having paid your annual town hall car tax.

Additional Extras Spanish-plated cars must comply with

It is mandatory, by law, to carry all the following:

(Small) fire extinguisher.
Two warning triangles.
One yellow reflecting safety jacket.

2. Non-Spanish Plated Cars: Mandatory Documents

Driving Licence (in force).
MOT report (in force).
Car insurance (green card).

Word of Advice

Whilst not strictly obligatory, which is why I do not list it above, I strongly recommend you carry at all times in your car at least two copies of a European accident report (parte amistoso de accidentes in Spanish). Your insurance company can supply you with these free of charge. They are most useful when somebody bumps into you on the road and you pull one out and complete it on the fly with the other driver’s car details.

I have done this several times in the past to much success always claiming from the other driver’s insurance company. It is also a very good idea to pull out your smart phone, like I do, and take several pictures of the accident to avoid ‘misunderstandings’ further down the line.

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Larraín Nesbitt Lawyers is a law firm specialized in taxation, conveyancing, inheritance and litigation. We will be very pleased to discuss your matter with you. You can contact us by e-mail at info@larrainnesbitt.com, by telephone on (+34) 952 19 22 88 or by completing our contact form.

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