Driver caught with a cloth covering his number plate in Tenerife
A driver in Tenerife was stopped by the Guardia Civil after being spotted on the TF-1 motorway with a cloth covering his car’s number plate. The incident was widely shared on social media and showed the vehicle joining the motorway with its registration plate deliberately obscured.
As it happened, a Guardia Civil patrol car appeared at the same time, leading to the driver being intercepted.
In Spain, number plates are a mandatory form of vehicle identification and must always be kept clean, visible, and in good condition. Driving with plates that are damaged, dirty, bent, or obscured in any way is considered a serious offence.
The standard penalty for driving with an unreadable or hidden plate is a fine of €200, although it does not carry points on the driving licence. However, if there is evidence of deliberate tampering or alteration of numbers and letters, penalties can be much harsher and may even result in criminal charges for falsification.
The DGT reminds drivers that it is not enough to simply have number plates attached: they must be fully visible, unobstructed, and properly maintained. Even vehicles with a valid ITV inspection can face sanctions if the plates cannot be clearly read.
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