Everyone has experienced what it is like to sleep in the car, and the DGT knows it too. When you are little, it is common to do it in the back seats while adults drive. When you’re not so little, even the driver’s seat can be a good place. In fact, it is highly recommended to stop to take a snooze if fatigue takes over you. But, is it possible to do it in the car without being fined?
It is a common practice that is allowed
Have you been driving for many hours and need to take a snooze? Whether you have planned a trip and halfway there you want to stop to rest because your eyes are heavy, or if you have arranged to spend the night in the vehicle to save costs until you reach your destination, there are a number of aspects that you must take into account.
Now, the unknown question is the following: is it legal to sleep in a car in Spain? The truth is yes. So how do I do it so I don’t get fined? In the event that you have an urgent need, do not hesitate for a second: lie down in the back seats or wherever is most comfortable for you and fall asleep before continuing driving.
How to sleep in the car safely
Because whether you are traveling on vacation or simply due to tiredness or drowsiness, the truth is that sleeping in the car is not an unusual practice, especially in times when we usually go on vacation or make long journeys. But what does the law say about staying overnight in the car?
Thus, there is no article that prohibits it in the traffic law. Therefore, the answer is yes, it is legal, but like almost everything in life, there is always a but. However, the General Directorate of Traffic clarifies it in its Instruction 08/V-74. “It is considered that while a vehicle is properly parked, without exceeding the road markings for the delimitation of the parking area, nor its temporary limitation, if any, the fact that its occupants are inside the parking area is not relevant. same”.
The conditions are established by the DGT , and if they are not met, the driver is exposed to a fine. To spend the night inside the car without problems, the following must be done:
- Leave the vehicle parked correctly.
- have paid taxes.
- Have compulsory insurance.
As such, these are not specific requirements on how to sleep in the car, but the regulations state that a person can take a snooze inside their vehicle as long as they leave it properly parked and have all the papers in force. Or what is the same; that the vehicle is in legal conditions to circulate.
Beware of national parks
It is also worth making a small caveat: beware of national parks . It is logical that many people want to take advantage of the summer holidays to visit one of the many natural parks that we have in our country.
And that -to save money- they decide to sleep in the car. But if this is the case, it is better to make sure in advance that the regulations of the park itself allow it. Because there are many natural parks… and each one of them has its own legislation.
At the same time, it is important that you know that the fines for sleeping in the car or camping in these protected areas are very high, reaching up to 5,001 euros , as reflected in the Environmental Assessment Law.
