Spain’s Holiday Road-trip Warning: Pack Light Or Pay Up To €4,000

Overpacking your car successful Spain this summer? You could look a monolithic fine… You cognize that last-minute scramble earlier a summertime holiday—the kids want to bring each toy, you’re squeezing successful nan other sun cream, and someone’s snuck a paddleboard connected apical of each nan suitcases. After all, what’s a road trip without a footwear bursting astatine nan seams?

But if you’re driving crossed Spain this summer, here’s thing you mightiness not person bargained for: Spanish postulation authorities are cracking down connected overloaded cars, and nan fines could swipe retired your vacation fund earlier you moreover deed nan beach.

Why Spain is cracking down connected overloaded cars this summer

It’s thing caller that cars, for illustration lorries and transportation vans, person a maximum authorised mass (MMA) group by nan manufacturer. It’s correct location successful nan paperwork, though astir of america haven’t checked it since we bought nan car (if ever). This number isn’t conscionable a technicality—it’s nan absolute weight your conveyance tin legally carry, including passengers, luggage, and yes, nan family dog.

This summer, pinch millions heading disconnected connected vacation roadworthy trips, nan Guardia Civil has promised to measurement up spot checks crossed Spanish motorways and state roads. Officers are rolling retired portable scales—think weigh-in astatine nan airport, but pinch a flashing bluish light. They’ll cheque your car’s loaded weight against nan charismatic MMA. If you’re over, you’re successful trouble.

What happens if you’re overloaded? The fines are nary joke

So, what benignant of penalties are we talking about? Well, they’re thing to motion off.

• If you’re complete by 5  per cent o 15 per cent, that’s a €300 fine—probably much than your nicest edifice night.
• If you deed 15 per cent to 25 per cent over, now you’re up to €800.
• And if you really spell chaotic and transcend nan limit by much than 25 per cent ? Brace yourself: it’s a €4,000 fine.

That’s not a typo. Four 1000 euros, simply for having a spot excessively overmuch successful nan boot. Not precisely nan vacation souvenir you had successful mind.

How drivers are getting caught overloading their cars

It’s easier than you think. Roof boxes, other suitcases, a mates of bikes connected nan back, aliases moreover nan grandparents squeezed successful for nan thrust – each that weight adds up fast. And while it’s tempting to support packing until you tin hardly unopen nan doors, it’s a consequence not worthy taking.

Authorities opportunity these rules aren’t conscionable astir being picky. Overloading a car makes it little safe: it affects your braking, your steering, and your expertise to swerve successful an emergency. The car handles differently, and it’s harder to control. Plus, if you’re unlucky capable to person a crash, your security mightiness not salary retired if you were overloaded.

What should you do earlier hitting nan road?

If you’re heading disconnected for a Spanish getaway and want to debar a nasty surprise, do yourself a favour:

• Check your car’s MMA successful nan logbook aliases connected nan wrong of nan driver’s door.
• Think astir everything you’re taking—including people, pets, and each nan luggage.
• Be realistic. If you’re adjacent to nan limit, time off down what you don’t perfectly need. Is that 3rd brace of trainers really worthy €4,000?
• Remember: roof racks and motorcycle carriers count too!

If you’re pulled complete and complete nan limit, not only could you beryllium fined, but officers mightiness make you unload your car astatine nan roadside earlier they fto you transportation on. Imagine having to decide, connected nan spot, which suitcase gets near down successful a lay-by!

Summer holidays successful Spain are legendary, and pinch truthful galore families choosing nan state of nan unfastened road, nan authorities are nether unit to support everyone safe. Overloading mightiness look harmless, but it’s a facet successful hundreds of accidents each year.

So, arsenic you battalion for your Spanish roadworthy trip, deliberation doubly earlier loading up that other case. A lighter car isn’t conscionable safer—it could beryllium nan quality betwixt a dream vacation and a four-grand disaster.

Enjoy nan sunshine, thrust safe, and remember: little is more!

Stay tuned pinch Euro Weekly News for much news from Spain