Traffic fines: how many points and euros do I lose?

Find out about the traffic fines that carry the greatest loss of points and money. Some carry prison sentences and penalties of up to €6,000.

Traffic fines are commonplace, but not all of them penalise the driver in the same way. Discover the different types of offences that exist and check the points and money you lose by committing them.

Very serious offences: 6 points or a criminal offence

EXCEEDING THE MAXIMUM SPEED LIMIT BY A LARGE MARGIN: PRISON SENTENCE!

Driving at a speed far above the maximum permitted. If you exceed the permitted speed by more than 60 km/h in an urban area, or by more than 80 km/h on an interurban road, the DGT considers this offence a crime. In this case the penalty is as follows:

• 3 to 6 months in prison or
• 6 to 12 months of community service
• Disqualification from driving for between 1 and 4 years

POORLY SECURED LOAD

If the load on your vehicle falls onto the road because it was poorly secured, you will be fined 6 points and €500 for endangering the safety of other road users.

ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

Driving with a blood alcohol level above 0.50 mg/l carries a penalty of 6 points on your licence and a €1,000 fine. In the case of driving under the influence of narcotic drugs, the fine is also 6 points and €1,000.

CHECKPOINTS

Failing to submit to an alcohol or drug test is considered a very serious offence and carries the loss of 6 points from your licence and a €500 fine. The same penalty will be applied if you fail to assist the victims of an accident when we have been direct witnesses.

RECKLESS DRIVING

Driving recklessly is considered a very serious offence. It carries the loss of 6 points and a fine of €500.

DRIVING THE WRONG WAY

It carries the loss of 6 points and a fine of €500.

STREET RACING

Taking part in unauthorised races and competitions is considered a very serious offence. It carries the loss of 6 points and a fine of €500.

RADAR JAMMER

Having a radar jammer fitted to your vehicle or any device that interferes with the correct operation of traffic radars is considered a very serious offence. Driving with such jammers is penalised with a fine of 6 points and €6,000 for the driver, and a penalty of between €3,000 and €20,000 for the establishment that installed the device.

EXPIRED MOT

Driving a car without a valid MOT or that does not meet the mandatory technical conditions is a very serious offence. The fine is 6 points and €500.

Serious offences: 6 points

SPEEDING

Driving at a speed far above the maximum permitted. The following table shows the speed you should never exceed if you do not want to lose 6 points from your licence and be fined between €500 and €600.

Serious offences: 4 points

ALCOHOL

Driving with a blood alcohol level between 0.25 mg/l and 0.50 mg/l carries the loss of 4 points from your licence and a fine of €500. Repeat offenders, those who have been sanctioned for the same reason in the immediately preceding year, are always fined €1,000 and lose 6 or 4 points from their licence (depending on the level).

SPEEDING

Driving at a speed above the maximum permitted. The following table shows the speed you should never exceed if you do not want to lose 4 points from your licence and be fined €400.

DRIVING WITHOUT A LICENCE

This is considered a serious offence and carries the loss of 4 points from your licence and a fine of €200.

THROWING DANGEROUS OBJECTS ONTO THE ROAD

Throwing objects onto the road that could potentially endanger other road users carries a penalty of 4 points and €200.

JUMPING A TRAFFIC LIGHT, STOP SIGN OR GIVE WAY SIGN

Any of these offences carries the loss of 4 points and a fine of €200.

IMPROPER OVERTAKING

Carrying out a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre in a prohibited zone carries a fine of 4 points and €200.

REVERSING ON A MOTORWAY

Reversing on a motorway or dual carriageway results in the loss of 4 points from your licence and a €200 fine.

IGNORING INSTRUCTIONS FROM TRAFFIC OFFICERS

Ignoring the instructions of a traffic officer carries the loss of 4 points and a fine of €200.

NOT MAINTAINING A SAFE DISTANCE

Fine of 4 points and €200.

Serious offences: 3 points

MAKING AN UNPERMITTED U-TURN

Making a U-turn in an area where that manoeuvre is prohibited carries the loss of 3 points from your licence and a fine of €200.

USING A MOBILE PHONE

Using a mobile phone while driving is not only dangerous for other road users, it also carries the loss of 3 points from your licence and a fine of €200.

NOT WEARING A SEAT BELT

Not wearing a seat belt, child restraint system or helmet is penalised with 3 points and a fine of €200.

USING A RADAR DETECTOR

Using a radar detector in your vehicle carries the loss of 3 points and €200 fine.

Minor offences: 2 points

SPEEDING

Driving at a speed above the maximum permitted. The following table shows the speed you should never exceed if you do not want to lose 2 points from your licence and be fined €300.

STOPPING OR PARKING ON MOTORWAYS OR DUAL CARRIAGEWAYS

This action carries a fine of 2 points and €100.

DRIVING WITHOUT LIGHTS WHEN REQUIRED

This action carries a fine of 2 points and €100.

STOPPING OR PARKING IN BUS LANES

This action carries a fine of 2 points and €100.