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While petrol stations in Spain are built on private property they are still considered spaces for public use, so there are strict protocols that drivers must adhere to or risk pricey fines of up to 100 euros.

 

The traffic regulations actually specify five cases in which motorists can be sanctioned at filling stations, which include leaving the engine running while refuelling, having the lights and car radio on while filling up and using a mobile phone at the pumps.

 

However, a little-known error that could land you in trouble with the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) concerns how and where you park.

 

The traffic police treat filling stations exactly the same as public streets and car parks, and bad parking here will certainly be penalised. It’s estimated that more than 50,000 vehicles are abandoned in public places in Spain each year, creating an eyesore and a risk to the public, so the authorities are cracking down.

 

But here’s the confusing bit: while drivers must turn their engines off to refuel, the general traffic law must still be complied with, so motorists will be fined if they leave their vehicle parked up at a gas station for what’s considered an excessive amount of time.

 

Of course, as with so many official rules in Spain, what constitutes ‘excessive’ is open to interpretation. Essentially, local parking regulations are set by the municipal governments, and so can differ from place to place. For example, in Madrid, the maximum time a car can be left in a filling station car park is five consecutive business days, while the grace period can be as long as a month in other cities.

 

The lesson to be learned here is petrol stations aren’t necessarily cheap places to park, and failing to obey the rules could cost you more than you bargained for.

 

 

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