Spanish speeding ticket, can I fight it? Should I?
Discussion
Long story but I'll try to keep it as short as possible.
On holiday in Spain this spring, hired a car, drove very sensibly, didn't speed.
Two months after I returned home I had a few dodgy looking foreign phone calls which I ignored, then a message in Spanish which I couldn't quite understand, then an email( on my throwaway account) from the hire company.
They were informing me that they'd received an NIP (or the Spanish equivalent) for the car that I hired but that they'd lost my details other than my mobile number and email address and could I please contact them to give my details so they could pass them to the police. Also, they wanted 35€ from me as payment for passing on my details.(I always put a stop on the credit card I use for holidays as soon as I get home so I'm not sure whether they tried to take payment and failed).
I ignored all contact.
This week, they've emailed me again looking for the 35€ and sent me a copy of the "NIP". I feel a bit guilty about the money and would like to pay it, but am wary of contacting them in case they somehow manage to get more details and pass them on to the police.
The NIP has a photo that shows the car as it passes a speed camera at 98kmph in a 100kmph zone but which is reduced to 80kmph in heavy rain. The photo clearly shows that it was a clear,dry, sunny day with completely dry roads. There is a note saying that the weather station declared it as raining at that time and location. At home I'm fairly sure I'd be able to fight the ticket but I don't know much about Spanish law and frankly, why should I bother if they've no way of following it up?
TDLR, I didn't do it, I could probably fight it but it would cost more than it's worth. I'm pretty sure there'll be no consequences if I ignore it... should I?
On holiday in Spain this spring, hired a car, drove very sensibly, didn't speed.
Two months after I returned home I had a few dodgy looking foreign phone calls which I ignored, then a message in Spanish which I couldn't quite understand, then an email( on my throwaway account) from the hire company.
They were informing me that they'd received an NIP (or the Spanish equivalent) for the car that I hired but that they'd lost my details other than my mobile number and email address and could I please contact them to give my details so they could pass them to the police. Also, they wanted 35€ from me as payment for passing on my details.(I always put a stop on the credit card I use for holidays as soon as I get home so I'm not sure whether they tried to take payment and failed).
I ignored all contact.
This week, they've emailed me again looking for the 35€ and sent me a copy of the "NIP". I feel a bit guilty about the money and would like to pay it, but am wary of contacting them in case they somehow manage to get more details and pass them on to the police.
The NIP has a photo that shows the car as it passes a speed camera at 98kmph in a 100kmph zone but which is reduced to 80kmph in heavy rain. The photo clearly shows that it was a clear,dry, sunny day with completely dry roads. There is a note saying that the weather station declared it as raining at that time and location. At home I'm fairly sure I'd be able to fight the ticket but I don't know much about Spanish law and frankly, why should I bother if they've no way of following it up?
TDLR, I didn't do it, I could probably fight it but it would cost more than it's worth. I'm pretty sure there'll be no consequences if I ignore it... should I?
Edited by Desiderata on Friday 24th November 21:38
If they're saying they've lost your details except phone and email I suspect the chances of you being blacklisted are low. I'd call it poetic justice that by virtue of losing your details they now can't chase you for what is clearly a bogus ticket.
Ignore it and if you're still worried about the Policia just go to Italy in future, much nicer.
Ignore it and if you're still worried about the Policia just go to Italy in future, much nicer.
ferret50 said:
No.
One of the few brexit advantages to Euro travel is that DVLA no longer dob you in.
I understand that a deal has been done between Spain and the UK whereby UK driver details will be shared with Spain.One of the few brexit advantages to Euro travel is that DVLA no longer dob you in.
This has come about due to UK nationals resident in Spain now being able to exchange their UK licences for Spanish ones.
Not that this affects the OP's situation.
https://www.spainenglish.com/2023/03/14/spain-appr...
recordman said:
ferret50 said:
No.
One of the few brexit advantages to Euro travel is that DVLA no longer dob you in.
I understand that a deal has been done between Spain and the UK whereby UK driver details will be shared with Spain.One of the few brexit advantages to Euro travel is that DVLA no longer dob you in.
This has come about due to UK nationals resident in Spain now being able to exchange their UK licences for Spanish ones.
Not that this affects the OP's situation.
https://www.spainenglish.com/2023/03/14/spain-appr...
Fortunately I drive like an old man these days.
recordman said:
ferret50 said:
No.
One of the few brexit advantages to Euro travel is that DVLA no longer dob you in.
I understand that a deal has been done between Spain and the UK whereby UK driver details will be shared with Spain.One of the few brexit advantages to Euro travel is that DVLA no longer dob you in.
This has come about due to UK nationals resident in Spain now being able to exchange their UK licences for Spanish ones.
Not that this affects the OP's situation.
https://www.spainenglish.com/2023/03/14/spain-appr...
Sixsixtysix said:
recordman said:
ferret50 said:
No.
One of the few brexit advantages to Euro travel is that DVLA no longer dob you in.
I understand that a deal has been done between Spain and the UK whereby UK driver details will be shared with Spain.One of the few brexit advantages to Euro travel is that DVLA no longer dob you in.
This has come about due to UK nationals resident in Spain now being able to exchange their UK licences for Spanish ones.
Not that this affects the OP's situation.
https://www.spainenglish.com/2023/03/14/spain-appr...
You were very lucky, I fell foul of a manned camara about three years back, 80klm in a 50klm limit....the on the spot fine was 300 e!
But my flexible friend coped with it.
ferret50 said:
Sixsixtysix said:
recordman said:
ferret50 said:
I recently had a ticket from a Spanish speed camera - was driving my UK registered car in Spain. So DVLA absolutely share details with the Spanish authorities. Was a fair cop so paid the 50 Euro fine.
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