Holidaymakers and jetsetters alike could find themselves sincerely out of pocket if they get a little too comfortable while driving in sunny Spain.
There are a number of differing rules and regulations which must be followed while operating vehicles on foreign soil, and some of them aren't as plain and simple as driving on the other side of the road.
One of the most prevalent mistakes Brits abroad make while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, is assuming they are safe and sound to remove their shirt while whizzing along the road.
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The Mirror reports that despite the hot weather in the country and the joy of motoring along with the wind whistling around your shirtless body, slipping off your top layer can land you a fine of up to €200 (£171) and three penalty points. While the actual act of being shirtless while driving isn't illegally specifically, Spanish law prohibits anything that prevents safe driving.
Wearing inappropriate clothes or footwear is covered under this rule. According to the General Directorate of Traffic in the country, being shirtless can be dangerous as it can lead to sunburn and injuries if the seatbelt is activated.
Andrew Jervis, CEO of online mechanic marketplace ClickMechanic, said: “It’s fairly common to see motorists in the UK remove their shirts to cool down during hot weather. But we need to remember that laws in other countries are not always the same and I’d urge people to be aware of what’s legal and illegal when they get behind the wheel somewhere new.
“In Spain, traffic police consider driving shirtless to be a threat to your safety and your ability to move, which means it is against the law to strip off your top half. When travelling abroad it’s essential to respect the local rules and regulations, even if they seem very different to what we’re used to at home.”
Spain has long been one of the most popular tourist destinations for Brits, with an estimated 15.1 million heading there in 2022. But it has a number of traffic rules that differ from the UK, leaving motorists at risk of punishments unless they know what to avoid doing.
The biggest difference is vehicles are driven on the right hand side of the road in Spain compared to the left in the UK. Speed limits are dictated in kilometres rather than miles per hour. Spanish law says that any action that could distract either the driver or the passenger should be avoided, and officers can include driving shirtless in this.
While the punishment can vary depending on the individual police officer, it can range from a fine of €80 to a fine of €200 and three penalty points.
In the same vein, driving while wearing flip flops - another common feature of good weather in the UK - can also land those guilty in hot water. In 2018, Spanish law enforcement agency Guardia Civil issued a warning that when translated into English said: “A fine for driving with flip flops?
"Yes, believe it, they can penalise you when the conduct impedes the freedom of movement of the driver or the control of the vehicle and thereby jeopardises the safety of the road."
The punishment is left to the discretion of the individual officer, meaning motorists may just escape with a telling off if they are lucky.
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