If you have received a traffic fine in Spain and want to check the details or see if there are any pending notifications, you can do so through the official website of the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT). The DGT has an online service called TESTRA, which is the electronic notice board where traffic fines and notifications are published. In this article, we will guide you on how to access and use TESTRA to check your traffic fines and notifications.
Accessing TESTRA To access TESTRA, you can visit the official website of the DGT at . You don't need a digital certificate or electronic ID to use this service. Simply follow the steps below:
- Visit the TESTRA page on the DGT website.
- Use the search function on the page to enter your identification details, such as your DNI (Documento Nacional de Identidad), NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero), CIF (Código de Identificación Fiscal), or vehicle registration number.
- Click on the "Search" button to initiate the search.
Checking Traffic Fines and Notifications Once you have entered your identification details and clicked on the "Search" button, TESTRA will display any traffic fines or notifications associated with your identification. It's important to note that fines and notifications published on TESTRA are considered officially notified 20 days after their publication. Here are some key points to keep in mind:
- TESTRA publishes fines and notifications in both Spanish and the co-official language of the issuing autonomous community, if applicable. In case of any discrepancies between the languages, the text determined by the issuing authority prevails.
- If you have registered for the Dirección Electrónica Vial (DEV) service, which is an electronic notification service, all fines and notifications will be sent directly to your email inbox. This eliminates the need to worry about changes of address or frequent travel. You will receive email and SMS notifications for each new fine.
- It's important to keep your postal address updated to ensure that you receive any traffic fines or notifications that are sent by mail. You can update your address through the DGT's online services.
Lista de Excluidos (Exclusion List) If you don't want your personal information to be visible to the general public when checking fines and notifications on TESTRA, you can register for the Lista de Excluidos (Exclusion List). By registering for this service, only you and authorized individuals will be able to view your personal data in the fines and notifications. However, please note that the Tablón Edictal Único (TEU) of the BOE (Boletín Oficial del Estado) does not have an exclusion list, so your data will still be visible on the TEU even if you are registered on the Lista de Excluidos.
Organizations Publishing on TESTRA/TEU Currently, the following organizations publish their fines and notifications on TESTRA/TEU:
- Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT)
- Departamento de Tráfico del Gobierno Vasco
- Servicio Catalán de Tráfico
- Ayuntamientos, Diputaciones provinciales, and similar organizations that notify traffic fines within their jurisdiction
It's important to note that if an organization has not registered with TESTRA/TEU, they will continue to notify fines and notifications through their previous channels, such as provincial official bulletins or municipal notice boards. Therefore, it's possible to have traffic fines even if your data doesn't appear on the TEU.
Consultation Period Once a fine or notification is published on TESTRA/TEU, you have 20 calendar days to consult the details. During this period, the fine/notification is considered "VIGENTE" (valid). The DGT may extend this period if the notice board is temporarily inaccessible due to technical issues. After the 20-day period or the validity period, the fine/notification becomes "NO VIGENTE" (no longer valid), and it is assumed that the notification has been made. You can continue with the necessary actions, such as paying the fine, submitting appeals, or filing complaints, according to the specified deadline in the notice. The fine/notification will still be accessible online in the "NO VIGENTE" state for one year. After that, only you, your representative, the Defensor del Pueblo (Ombudsman), the Ministry of Public Prosecutions, the Tax Agency, and the relevant courts and tribunals will have access to the fine/notification.
Cost and Regulations Accessing TESTRA and TEU is free of charge for all citizens. The regulations governing this procedure include:
- Real Decreto Legislativo 6/2015, de 30 de octubre (Royal Legislative Decree 6/2015, of October 30), which approves the consolidated text of the Law on Traffic, Motor Vehicle Circulation, and Road Safety.
- Orden Int/3022/2010, de 23 de noviembre (Order Int/3022/2010, of November 23), which regulates the Tablón Edictal Único (TEU).
- Real Decreto Ley 19/2012, de 25 de mayo (Royal Decree-Law 19/2012, of May 25), which extends the publication deadline in TEU for local administrations until May 25, 2014.
- Ley 6/2014, de 7 de abril (Law 6/2014, of April 7), which further extends the publication deadline in TEU for local administrations until May 25, 2016.
- Ley 40/2015, de 1 de octubre (Law 40/2015, of October 1), which regulates the legal framework of the public sector.
- Real Decreto 181/2008, de 8 de febrero (Royal Decree 181/2008, of February 8), which regulates the organization of the official gazette "Boletín Oficial del Estado" (BOE).
- Ley 15/2014, de 16 de septiembre (Law 15/2014, of September 16), which rationalizes the public sector and introduces administrative reforms.
Conclusion Checking traffic fines and notifications in Spain is a straightforward process through the TESTRA service provided by the DGT. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can easily access and review any fines or notifications associated with your identification. Remember to keep your address updated to ensure that you receive any fines or notifications sent by mail. If you have any fines or notifications from other organizations, it's advisable to consult the Tablón Edictal Único (TEU) of the BOE. Stay informed and comply with the traffic regulations to avoid any penalties or fines.
