Drivers warned: €6,000 fine for using mask trick to dodge ZBE cameras

It began as a cheeky, cheap trick. Some drivers – mostly bikers – have been using face masks to cover their number plates, hoping to slip unnoticed past low-emission zone cameras.

But Spain’s police have made it clear this week: what might look like a harmless shortcut could end up costing you €6,000 and six points off your licence.

The ‘mask trick’ spreading from Italy

Zonas de Bajas Emisiones, or ZBEs as they are known in Spanish, have become an everyday part of life for many Spanish cities. The idea is simple: cameras scan licence plates as vehicles enter, and the system checks instantly with the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) to confirm whether each one has the proper environmental sticker.

Those who don’t comply are fined €200, or €100 if paid quickly.

But a new ‘hack’ has made its way from Italy to Spain – and police are already sounding the alarm. Drivers tie disposable masks on their number plates using elastic straps in order to block the view of the cameras. It is easy, cheap, and can fool some cameras.

Even so, the Spanish authorities do not laugh.

Police warn: ‘it’s not a joke’

Shared on Facebook Instagram, the Policía Nacional reminded drivers that hiding or tampering with a number plate isn’t just cheeky — it’s illegal.

According to Article 10 of Spain’s Traffic Law, any attempt to obscure a number plate is punishable by a fine of €200. But when someone uses a device — like magnets, covers, or yes, even a face mask – to deliberately interfere with traffic cameras, the penalty skyrockets to €6,000 and six licence points.

Police have been blunt in their message: it doesn’t matter what you use or how clever you think you’re being – your licence plate must always be ‘perfectly visible and easy to read.’

This is one of the most severe categories of traffic offenses in Spain.

ZBE rules will be around for a long time

ZBE Zones are here to stay. The zones are now mandatory in all cities with more that 50,000 residents as part of Spain’s effort to reduce pollution and purify urban air.

In places such as Madrid, Barcelona, or Valencia, cameras run 24/7 and automatically cross-check number plates against the DGT databases. The system knows instantly whether your vehicle qualifies – and fines those that don’t.

The authorities say that they are aware of the frustration some drivers feel with the new restrictions but it is important to note that breaking the rules will not make them disappear.

Enforcement is only getting more strict. While some drivers might view covering a license plate as an act of rebellion, it is actually one of the most costly mistakes that you can make while driving.

A very expensive ‘trick’

What may seem like a clever hack of one euro could turn into a financial nightmare. The Spanish police are firm in their stance: hiding your plate is a serious offense.

So while the idea might seem tempting – a simple mask to dodge a €200 fine – it’s really not worth it. The numbers speak for themselves: €6,000, six points, and a very real chance of losing your licence.

This is a high price to pay when you try to fool a camera.