500 Euro Fine in Tenerife for Not Carrying Driving License

The Civil Guard and DGT remind drivers of the mandatory essential documents for circulation and associated penalties.

Spanish driving license and vehicle registration document on a Tenerife road background.
IA

Spanish driving license and vehicle registration document on a Tenerife road background.

Drivers in Tenerife face fines of up to 500 euros for not carrying their driving license and other essential documents for road circulation.

The Civil Guard, in collaboration with the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT), is intensifying checks to ensure compliance with traffic regulations on the Canary Islands' roads. The primary objective is to improve road safety and reduce accidents.
Among the essential documents that drivers must carry are the driving license, the vehicle's registration certificate, and the Vehicle Technical Inspection card (ITV). Failure to carry any of these documents can result in financial penalties.
The DGT specifies that the registration certificate identifies vehicle ownership. Not carrying it can lead to a 10 euro fine. If the document is not up-to-date, the penalty rises to 80 euros. In more serious cases, such as the complete absence of a registration certificate, the fine can reach 500 euros.
Furthermore, the mandatory nature of the V16 warning beacon, which will replace traditional warning triangles from January 1, 2026, is recalled. Not having this device or using a non-approved model is punishable by 80 euros. It is recommended to store it in an accessible place within the vehicle.
While the road tax is mandatory for all registered vehicles, it is not necessary to carry the proof of payment in the vehicle.