You Are NOT Allowed to Wash Your Car in the Street

There are many rules that people have to be reminded of on a regular basis, and one such rule is that you are not allowed to wash your car in the street in Spain.

Of course, it is important to keep your car clean, partly because a clean car is actually more economical and runs better, and partly because if you don’t you risk a fine, because certain elements must be kept clean and clear at all times, such as the number plate, lights and windows for example, but cleaning your car must be done at a suitable location such as a car wash or petrol station with these facilities on site.

Specifically, you are not allowed to wash your car on a public road. According to article 4.2 of the General Circulation Regulations, “it is prohibited to throw, deposit or abandon objects or materials on the road that may hinder free movement, stopping or parking, make them dangerous or damage the road or its facilities”.

Interpreting the law, when washing the car liquids and other substances are deposited on the road that make the road slippery, which could prove hazardous to other road users. This, in the opinion of the DGT, justifies the consequent fine, but that fine depends on the municipality where you live, and can start from 30 to 3,000 euro. Of course, following this law, it is also not permitted to repair or carry out maintenance work on the vehicle, such as changing the oil, on public roads.

But it’s not only traffic law that you fall foul of, because there are also environmental laws which would apply. When we take our vehicle to a car wash, the water is recycled, and they have environmental policies to ensure that no damage is inflicted on the delicate local ecosystems by introducing pollutants such as soap into the local environment which can have damaging consequences. Doing so could result in an additional fine, depending on the severity of the pollution.

So, however we look at it, it is far better to take our car to an authorised car wash, and on a regular basis in order to keep it clean.