Car Insurance Receipts: The DGT's Stance On Mandatory Documentation

Do you still need to carry your car insurance receipt in Spain?

One of the most common questions among drivers in Spain revolves around the necessity of carrying certain documentation in their vehicles. A prevalent belief is that it is mandatory to have the car insurance receipt on hand, indicating an active and valid policy. To avoid confusion the Spanish Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has identified the three essential documents that should be present in every vehicle.

This article aims to clarify the confusion surrounding the requirement of carrying proof of insurance, explore the introduction of the Insured Vehicle Information File (FIVA), and shed light on the three crucial documents all drivers must have.

What is FIVA and how does it replace the insurance receipt?

The Insured Vehicle Information File (FIVA) is a database implemented in Spain to facilitate the verification of vehicle insurance coverage. It was introduced in 2008 and is managed by the Insurance Compensation Consortium (Consorcio de Compensación de Seguros). The purpose of FIVA is to provide a centralised system that enables individuals involved in accidents or incidents to access information about their own insurance policies, as well as assist authorities in verifying insurance coverage.

The FIVA database is particularly relevant in cases of accidents caused by meteorological events or natural disasters. The Insurance Compensation Consortium is responsible for managing claims related to such incidents. Insurance companies are required to provide daily updates to the consortium, including the first four letters of the vehicle brand, registration information, type of insurance contract, and policy validity and termination dates.

With the implementation of the FIVA system, authorities and relevant parties can quickly verify whether a vehicle is insured or not. This electronic system has replaced the need for drivers to carry a physical proof of insurance, such as an insurance receipt, in their vehicles. Instead, the FIVA database serves as the primary resource for confirming insurance coverage.

The FIVA system provides various advantages, including streamlined processes for verifying insurance, reducing administrative burden, and enhancing efficiency for authorities and insurance companies.

As a result, the need for physical proof of insurance in the vehicle became obsolete, so this begs the question: if the car insurance receipt is no longer necessary, what are the three essential documents all drivers must carry?

Which three documents does the DGT say you must carry?

The following three documents are considered essential and must be carried while driving in Spain.

It is important to note that these documents can be either in their original form or computed copies, but certified copies are not valid. Additionally, rental vehicles are also required to have these documents available for inspection. Failure to present any of these documents when requested by the authorities may result in fines or penalties.

• Driving Licence: Every driver must carry a valid driving licence. This can either be the final licence or a provisional authorisation provided by the Traffic Department. The driving licence serves as proof that you are authorised to operate a vehicle.
• Vehicle Registration Certificate: It is mandatory to carry the registration certificate of the vehicle, commonly known as "Permiso de Circulación" in Spain. This document contains important information about the vehicle, including the owner's personal details, vehicle identification number (VIN), technical specifications, and registration information. It confirms the legal ownership and registration of the vehicle.
• Technical Inspection Report (ITV): The technical inspection, known as "Inspección Técnica de Vehículos" (ITV), is a periodic inspection that certifies the roadworthiness and safety of vehicles in Spain. After successfully passing the ITV, a valid sticker is provided, which must be affixed to the windshield. It is mandatory to carry the ITV report and have the valid sticker displayed to demonstrate that the vehicle has passed the required inspection. Learn more about Spain’s ITV Test.

What are the fines for not carrying the required documentation?

In Spain, not carrying the required documents while driving can lead to penalties and fines. The amount depends on whether the documents are in date and simply not on hand, or whether they are expired, incorrect or missing altogether.

If your documents are valid but you are not carrying them:

• Driving licence: If you fail to carry a valid driving licence while driving in Spain, you can face a penalty of 10 euros for not having this document on hand.
• Vehicle registration certificate: Not having the vehicle registration certificate (Permiso de Circulación) with you can result in a fine of 10 euros for this missing document.
• Technical Inspection Report (ITV): If you fail to carry the ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) report or do not have the valid sticker displayed on the windshield, you may be fined 10 euros for not having this document available.

If your documents are expired, incorrect or the vehicle is not up to date:

• Driving licence issues: Driving with an expired or incorrect licence can lead to much higher fines, typically from around 80 to 200 euros, and can be treated more seriously if you are effectively driving without a valid licence at all.
• Vehicle registration problems: If the vehicle is not correctly registered or the permiso de circulación is not in order, fines can increase to the low hundreds of euros depending on the circumstances.
• ITV not passed or out of date: Driving with the ITV expired or not passed is a separate offence from simply not carrying the report and can bring fines of around 200 euros or more.

These higher amounts are completely separate from the small “paperwork” fines for forgetting documents. To avoid problems during routine traffic stops, checkpoints or incidents, make sure your documentation is both valid and easy to present when asked by the authorities.

Is it still mandatory to have valid car insurance?

Even though you no longer need to carry the paper receipt, it is still completely mandatory for every vehicle in Spain to have at least the legally required third‑party liability insurance in force. Driving a car without insurance can lead to far higher penalties than those for missing documents, including large fines and possible immobilisation of the vehicle.

Traffic officers can check your insurance status instantly via FIVA, so if your policy is not active, you will be treated as driving without insurance even if you try to show an old receipt or policy schedule.

Can you show documents in digital format?

Spain is gradually accepting some vehicle documentation in digital form through tools such as the official miDGT app, which can display your driving licence and vehicle details. However, not all drivers are comfortable relying solely on their phone, and in some situations a printed document can still avoid headaches if connectivity is poor or a device runs out of battery.

Final thoughts on insurance receipts and DGT rules

The key point is that Spanish authorities now check your cover electronically through FIVA, so carrying a paper insurance receipt is no longer essential, but having valid insurance is. As long as your vehicle is insured and you keep your licence, permiso de circulacion and ITV documentation up to date and easy to show, you can drive with confidence and avoid unnecessary fines on Spain’s roads.

For peace of mind, many drivers choose to keep both: their data available in miDGT where possible, plus copies of the key documents in the glove compartment so they can always comply with a roadside check.

Stay safe on the road and with your health

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