12 Oct 2013 8:17 PM:

After making several phone calls we appear to have this sorted now. We have it in writing from hire company and agent we booked through that we will not have to pay the fine; also they have offered a small amount of compensation which should just about cover cost of calls. Fingers crossed it actually happens.

I think having done my best to translate ticket that the issue was failure to display ITV sticker rather than having no ITV at all.

On the subject of monkeys and peanuts, the hire company is on airport and part of a large hire co well known worldwide so why would we expect anything less than good service?

As for knowing all the details  of Spanish motoring law, from the standard of their driving and parking and state of their cars a VERY large number of Spaniards don't know them so how are we as visitors supposed to? All we can do is rely on hire company to ensure we comply. At least I now know to check for ITV sticker!

Thread: To what extent is Spain a police state?

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11 Oct 2013 9:27 AM:

Eggcup - don't suppose it was a silver fiesta diesel car was it/  We picked up a car on 7th October from Malaga airport and were stopped by the police on the motorway near Salobrena.  He was very nice, said it wasn't our problem, not to worry and to give the ticket to the hire company.  If we were stopped again we were to show the ticket to the police.

We have been in touch with the hire company and have an email from them saying the car is safe to drive and they will pay the fine but words are cheap.  They have refused to change the car unless we take it back to Malaga - a 250 mile round trip.

Yes perhaps we should have checked all documentation to the nth degree - assuming we would know if there was any infringement of Spanish motoring law - but we are just doing what is done millions of times of day, hiring a car, and it is not unreasonable to expect that any hire car would be fully legal for use.

Thread: To what extent is Spain a police state?

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