Guardia Civil car safety random stops this week: What drivers in Spain should know

Drivers in Spain should check the condition of their tyres and vehicle lights this week, as traffic authorities step up attention to road safety ahead of the winter months.

A special monitoring campaign announced by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) and the Guardia Civil runs until Thursday, October 29. It focuses, mostly, on two essential safety features: tyre condition and vehicle lighting.

Similar checks, mostly in the form of random stops, will be more heightened in mountainous regions, although the nationwide scope of the current operation has not been confirmed. For British residents who drive in Spain, the checks are a timely reminder that poorly maintained tyres and faulty lights can put drivers and other road users at risk, particularly on wet roads and during journeys in darkness.

What are the legal requirements for car tyres in Spain?

Spanish regulations set a minimum legal tyre tread depth of 1.6 millimetres. However, the DGT recommends at least 3mm to help maintain grip in adverse weather. Car owners should check for uneven wear, damage and signs of air loss. Tyre pressure should also be checked regularly when the tyres are cold.

Drivers with a spare wheel should check its condition too, rather than discovering a problem when they need to use it. Worn tyres can reduce grip on wet roads, increasing braking distances and the risk of losing control.

The legal requirements for tyres are set out in Spain’s General Vehicle Regulations.

Could faulty car lights lead to a fine?

Almost definitely. Vehicle lighting is another big focus of the campaign. Drivers should make sure that their lights work correctly and that their headlights are properly adjusted. Headlights that point too low can reduce visibility, while those set too high can dazzle oncoming traffic.

Spanish rules also require drivers to use the appropriate lighting when weather or environmental conditions seriously reduce visibility, including in heavy rain and fog. Depending on the specific offence, defective lighting can result in a fine. Drivers should not assume that a light is unimportant simply because the car remains driveable.

Older cars need particular attention

Vehicle maintenance is especially important for owners of older cars, which will be in the focus of attention of road officers. The DGT has cited research indicating that the risk of death or serious injury in an accident is twice as high when comparing vehicles aged between 10 and 15 years with those less than five years old.

Age alone does not mean a car is unsafe, but regular maintenance is essential to make sure that safety equipment continues to work properly.

With darker evenings and changeable autumn weather, checking tyres, lights and other essential components is a sensible precaution for anyone driving in Spain.