What is the fine for not wearing a seat belt in Spain?

Seat belts save lives. The greatest risk of not wearing a seat belt in an increase in the risk of death, which is why, if you are caught not wearing a seat belt, you will be fined, and lose points from your licence. The sanction designed to educate you of the importance of wearing your seat belt. So, what is the fine for not wearing a seat belt in Spain?

Not wearing a seat belt is considered a serious offence. It is penalised with a 200-euro fine and the loss of 3 points on your license, if you are the driver. The driver is also responsible for minors in the car, who must also be secured in a seat suitable for their size and weight.

Remember, children under 135cm in height, must always sit in the rear seats. There are exceptions, such as if the vehicle does not have rear seats, and if the rear seats are already occupied by other children.

Adult passengers are responsible for their own actions and will face the fine.

Occupants in foreign registered vehicles will be required to pay the fine immediately, on the spot, and will not lose licence points.

The wearing of the seat belt is mandatory for all vehicle occupants, whether in the front or the back of the vehicle. In those vehicles where only two seat belts are available in the back seats, then only two people can sit on that seat.

The use of seat belts in Spain has been mandatory since 1975 for the front seats and since 1992 for the rear seats.

Basic rules for seat belt use

The DGT shares some basic and important recommendations for the use of seat belts:

Putting on the seat belt in the rear seats is just as important as doing it in the front.

You must wear the seat belt tight to the body. You should not wear too bulky clothing.

You must not put anything below the belt in order to be more comfortable.

The seat belt should never be worn under the arm, nor should it be pulled away from the body to make it feel more comfortable.

Avoid putting any type of towel or cover on the seats, as it increases the probability of the “submarine” effect occurring.

Check, once fastened, that it is not caught or rolled anywhere.

Pass the top of the seat belt across the clavicle, between the neck and the shoulder; never by the neck, because it could cause serious injuries in the event of an incident.

Place the seat almost at a right angle, never too inclined, since this position favours the “submarine” effect.

Have an approved workshop change the seat belt if it has been activated during an incident such as a collision, because its braiding will have lost its effectiveness and there may even be breaks in the anchoring systems.