12 Jul 2007 10:31 PM:

http://www.idealspain.com/pages/information/DrivingSpain.htm

OK I have read this and it makes good reading but even though that is how it should be, my experience over the last 6 months of living here in Spain tells me different.

I have been fined for no seatbelt (I moved the car 300mtrs) the fine I had to pay at the bank within 30 days, I got a parking ticket which I had to pay immediatley or they took the car. My friend was stopped and when asked if he was drunk he said yes, they told him to park the car, go back to the bar and have another drink then call a cab, no fine, no arrest.

Another friend got a parking ticket in Benidorm from one of the parking wardens and her abogado (lawyer) told her to rip it up and throw it away as they were not enforcable. Only if the police give you one do you need to pay. I queried this with another abogado friend and he confirmed it.

It's nuts here but I love it

Thread: english reg car

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12 Jul 2007 10:06 PM:

Ooops yes IVA is Spanish VAT, ITV is Spanish MOT, Its been a long day . But yes it is all relative. To convert my car to Spanish plates would cost more than the car is worth, it got me here and has served me well for the past 6 months but I either have to sell or convert now before they take it off me and I think I will sell my Merc and get a Spanish one.
But like I said it all depends where you are in Spain on how the EU laws are interpreted or ignored. One good word of advice, never get stroppy with the Spanish police on motoring offences (or anything for that matter) because
1. They carry guns
2. They WILL take your car
3. They will arrest you
4. They carry guns

On the other hand if you are polite and respectful you may get away with a great deal.

Thread: english reg car

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11 Jul 2007 10:39 PM:

I moved to Spain in January 2007 and bought a car in the uk to bring across, as I thought the cost of cars here seemed very high. However my experience is that I would have been better of buying a car here, my car will not pass the IVA unless I change the headlights for left hand drive, the convertors you stick on will not pass the IVA even if you stick them on the inside as you can with some, and headlight units are not cheap. You can be almost guaranteed that the red tape will have you running round in circles and if you want someone professional to do it for you I have been quoted 1500 euros and am told that is not expensive. What you must all understand is that even though Spain is in the EU the different areas and councils and police decide what EU laws they will ignore and what the will accept, never mind what these banks and officials say on the TV or the papers, if the police want to take your car say goodbye because you will never see it again unless you are willing to pay loads of money in legal costs etc. and that is the reality of living here.

After all that I still think it is the best move I have made.

Thread: english reg car

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