Palma City Council has announced that, as part of the usual collaboration with the Tax Agency, Local Police officers participated last Wednesday afternoon, at the request of the chief inspector of Customs, in a documentation control of foreign vehicles in Son Rapinya.
An officer in command of six agents from the Motorised Unit (UMOT) collaborated with a team of AEAT inspectors in the operation, in which 15 vehicles with foreign number plates were inspected.
The customs officials issued an official report on three vehicles, which must pay the special tax on certain means of transport.
In addition to logistical support, local police officers issued two complaints for driving licence irregularities and a third for carrying a minor in the front seat.
The monitoring and control of this type of vehicle is another preventive function carried out by the Road Safety Police Station.
A specialised technical structure is being set up to deal with this issue.
As a general rule, a non-resident can drive a foreign registered vehicle in Spain for up to six months in a calendar year.
However for a Spanish resident, it’s just 30 days from the date the vehicle first entered the country. In all cases the vehicle needs to be fully legal in the country of current registration. So for example, if you have a UK vehicle then it must be taxed, have a current MOT and of course be insured.
If you drive your vehicle for longer than this, Spanish authorities may consider that you are importing the vehicle and issue you with a notice to pay the import taxes and customs duties if applicable as well as an associated fine.
When driving in Spain, it is mandatory to carry a driving licence, original vehicle registration document (logbook), passport or ID card and for a foreign registered vehicle proof of insurance. If your driving licence is non EU then you may also need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
It’s also essential when driving a foreign vehicle that you have adequate proof of when your vehicle entered Spain, in case you’re stopped as the onus will be on you to provide this.
Normal proof could be a ferry ticket, eurotunnel receipt, border crossing documentation (such as a stamped date in your passport), toll receipts that show the date and time of entry or a transport company delivery note and invoice.
4 comments
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Stephen NivenAll i am saying is that more checks should be done on ALL foreign plated cars as it appears there are many residents diving around in no legal cars. i have seen the same german car taking children to school for years, totally flouting the rules and clearly residents if the kids go to school here !
On my street alone the same German-plated cars have been there for years. In my nearest town (Santa Ponsa) the same is true. I have nothing against Germans or German-plated cars, but I've always assumed that the Spanish authorities turn a specific blind eye to this, as it's so darn obvious.
Tristan SmithThe Germans are EU citizens. Their driving licences are valid until expiry and freely transferable, their insurance is valid EU-wide without a green card or time limits, their MoT (TüV) is transferable, and they can come and go as they please. I've spotted plenty of UK plates and if you check online, half of them haven't been taxed or MoT'd for years. Try a different gripe.
Its about time the police started checking foreign registered cars , especially the Germans as there are hundreds of them . Lots are residents and many people are clearly here for more than 6 months a year and leave their cars at Park and Fly all year round. It must be easy to check when they arrived as i ferry would be required to get them here. I am sure there are lots with not vehicle test as this needs doing in their home country, if not Mot then insurance must be void. I personally welcome more spot checks.