What is legal regarding UK cars and businesses

 A long story cut short, my husband was pulled by the police in our UK registered car, We have every intention of getting the car on Spanish plates but we are both out of work and have very little money, My Husband is a metalworker and we have been advertising the fact that he does metal work via car magnets so he can get some work. These come off and on the car like a fridge magnet, not permanent. When the police pulled him over they found that the car was legal but have made a report and sent it to traffico, and said they will be in contact via a letter asking for more info, they said that this will probabally lead to a hefty fine, in the thousands, obviously very worried and shocked and if things were not hard enough for us we now have this to figure out. Any help advise, links etc would be much appreciated. We did not even know we was doing anything wrong, just wanted to advertise to get some work to pay our way. We have obviously took the magnets off and will not be doing it again, seems a bit extreme when we took them off and said we was not aware, I have seen other UK reg vehciles

that have sign writting on them, so is it illegal or is there some clause or way out of this.

If worst comes to the worst and we do incur this hefty fine, does anyone know if the fines here can be paid in instalments, and what happens if you cannot pay the fine, I hope it doesnt go as far as prison, any help would be appreciated I am so worried.

Waiting in anticipation, 

Ye, it is illegal to advertise a business using a foreign registered vehicle.I've no idea whether the fines can be paid in installments.

Twinmummy

You are correct and certainly on the Costa del Sol there are many UK vehicles advertising Spanish business but that's not to say it's legal and of course if the vehicle is a commercial vehicle then it cannot normally be put on Spanish plates. But at the same time there is nothing wrong if you are non-resident driving a UK registered vehicle advertising your UK business and these days in the EU it is perfectly acceptable to work within another EU country or to tender and take contracts in other EU countries. But if you are resident then you should not be driving foreign plated vehicles. I have had engineering clients take large contracts in Spain and that's perfectly legal (remember Spanish companies also tender for work in UK) - things that catch foreign businessout out is that work that can be done in the UK needs a project in Spain - for welding type businesses other problems can be getting hold of acetylne gas so the option is to burn butane at high temperature or bring the acetyline gas in on the vans which is probably not legal. I would think any crime would hinge around your residency status.

So what is probably more important is to look into your situation so would you clarify;-

 - Type of vehicle (car or van)

 - How long you have had the vehicle in Spain

- Who is registered owner of vehicle

- Your status (ie resident or non-resident)

- Is the business registered (ie autonimo or Spanish SL)

- Do you have NIE number

- Do you own property in Spain