Drivers in Spain beware: This missing Spray could hit you with a €200

If you have been driving in Spain for some time, you may believe that you are familiar with the basics. Licence? Check. Insurance? Check. Hi-vis vest? Under the seat. But there’s one thing the DGT is quietly insisting on this year – and many drivers have absolutely no idea they’re supposed to carry it.

It is not glamorous or high-tech. And it is not the V16 beam everyone talks about for 2026. It’s something much simpler: a tyre repair spray – the small can that sits next to a compact compressor. And yes, not having it can cost you €200.

This sounds ridiculous until you recall the last time that you saw someone on the side of the road with a flat tire, waving to passing cars in the hope for the best.

Why DGT is suddenly so concerned about a puncture repair kit

It’s not a new rule. It’s hidden inside the Reglamento General de CirculaciónThis basically states that every vehicle in Spain has to have either one or both of the following:

• The spare wheel
  The following are some examples of how to use
• The right anti-puncture set.

Most of us haven’t thought about it for years because our cars came with a spare tire as standard. But modern cars? Not really. Many manufacturers assume that drivers want lighter vehicles with larger boot spaces, so they don’t include spares in their models.

What plenty of people don’t realise is that the law didn’t change – the car did. Unknowingly, many drivers are now breaking the law.

The humble spray is the answer. DGT does not want to bother anyone. Flat tyres cause thousands of roadside problems every year, and if your car can’t move — even slowly, just to the next exit – it becomes a hazard. The logic behind this rule is that it’s a safety issue.

Most drivers don’t know about this little spray

Kit is easy to use. The kit is easy to use. You connect the compressor to the bottle of sealant, attach the hose to your tyre valve and then let the mixture fill the tyre, while sealing the hole on the inside. The fix isn’t permanent, but it will be enough to get to a mechanic.

The jack is much easier to use than trying lift the car on an incline hard shoulder, while trucks shake the ground.

Here’s what people miss:
if you don’t have a spare wheel AND you don’t have one of these kits, the fine is €200.

You can be asked to show your license by traffic officers. If you cannot, then that’s the end of it.

With Christmas around the corner – and car journeys multiplying everywhere – the DGT is giving its annual reminder, because December is when the puncture problems really show up. Cold temperatures, heavier traffic, long motorway drives… it all adds up.

The cheap item will save you money, headaches and time

These kits are available in any garage, or even online. Prices vary, but they’re rarely more than €20 or €30. The only thing you need to check is the sealant’s expiration date, because yes, it does expire – another detail most drivers forget.

It isn’t glamorous, but it’s your best friend if you find yourself stuck on the side of the road with a flat at 8 pm in a cold weather.

It is also important to keep you on the correct side of the law.

This tiny object has surprising significance

Spain’s roads may be among the safest of Europe, but their safety depends on drivers who can help themselves when they are in basic situations. DGT understands that most breakdowns can be avoided and are only dangerous when cars become stranded.

Before you leave, especially in this month, make sure to check your footwear.
The most important item you’re missing might be a €20 spray you forgot you ever owned.