Spain's DGT fines drivers €60 for not carrying licence while on holiday

In Spain, drivers are required to carry their driving licence, either in physical form or via the official miDGT app, whenever they operate a vehicle. If a driver is stopped by the traffic police and cannot present the licence, the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) imposes a €60 fine (reduced to €30 for early payment). This penalty is classified as a light infringement and does not result in loss of points.

A more serious offence occurs when a person drives without holding a valid licence at all. In that case, the fine rises to €500 and the violation is treated as a grave offence, potentially carrying criminal liability. The same €500 fine also applies to driving after all points have been lost, or operating a vehicle for which the licence category does not apply, such as a truck with a car licence. Police can verify licence status instantly through a central database, so the absence of the document is quickly detected during roadside checks.