If you get a traffic fine in Spain, the first thing to do is check who sent it, make sure your address is right, and look over the details.
Before you pay or appeal, make sure the fine is actually from the DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic). Double-check the information carefully.
How are traffic fines sent out?
The DGT sends fines through two official ways:
By post: If the letter doesn’t reach you, they’ll publish it on the official notice board.
Through the Road Electronic Address (DEV): Their official online system.
NOTE: If you get a fine by email, it’s a scam. The DGT never sends fines by email.
Paying a traffic fine
If you’ve confirmed the fine is real and you want to pay, you can do it:
- Online
- Through the miDGT app
- By phone
There’s no extra charge to pay the fine.
Why pay your traffic fine early?
If you pay within 20 calendar days from the day you’re notified, you’ll only pay half the amount. But by doing this, you lose the right to appeal. You can’t split the payment or ask to delay it.
If you pay early and then change your mind and try to appeal, your appeal won’t be accepted. If you appeal first and it’s rejected, you’ll have to pay the full amount.
The 50% discount doesn’t apply if the offence involved any of the following:
- Using radar jammers or devices that block traffic monitoring
- Giving false driver details
- Doing roadworks without permission or removing signs
- Breaking industrial safety rules that affect road safety
Do you need a traffic find refund?
If you paid by mistake, say the discount wasn’t applied or you paid twice, you can ask for your money back. This can be done online or in person, and it’s free.
Want to appeal to a traffic fine in Spain?
You’ve got 20 calendar days from when you receive the fine to appeal it. After that, you can only appeal in rare cases where there’s been a clear error.
To appeal, you need to send an official allegation with new or different info from what’s in the fine notice. Note that when you appeal, you no longer get the 50% discount.
If the DGT agrees with your appeal, the fine will be cancelled. If they don’t, you can either pay the full amount or file a reconsideration appeal within one month.
Just keep in mind, to make a reconsideration appeal, you must have appealed the fine first.
If that final appeal is also turned down and you still disagree, you can take the matter to court. For this, you’ll need a lawyer or a legal representative.
