Watch out : Your favourite sunglasses could cost you €200 at the wheel

The time is upon us again: long drives in the sunshine with your windows down and your favorite pair of sunglasses. The Spanish sun is brutal and a pair of good sunglasses are a must behind the wheel. Even Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT, agrees with this: you should always have a pair on hand in your vehicle.

Some sunglasses may not be safe or legal to use while driving. Some can actually get you a fine of up to €200, and most people have no idea.

What sunglasses are allowed for driving? Not all shades of sunglasses are the same

What’s the story? The filters on sunglasses are what determine how much light the glasses block. The higher the number, the darker the lens. If you are wearing sunglasses, the number will be higher. Category 4 If you have lenses that are too dark, then you will be in serious trouble. These lenses are dark and designed for mountaineering, or bright days in the snow. Great for skiing, not so great for driving. With these on, you might as well be wearing blinders—the risk of missing something important on the road is massive, and that’s why the DGT says an absolute no.

And if you’re thinking, “No worries, I’ve got mine from a high-street shop, they must be fine,”—think again. You may be breaking the laws if your sunglasses aren’t certified for driving or if you purchased a trendy pair that is ultra-dark on holiday.

You can be fined for wearing sunglasses while driving at night

Wearing sunglasses at any time of the night is another mistake. The police will not be impressed if you think that wearing sunglasses at night is a cool way to hide tired eyes or look cool. The nighttime is when the police are most active. No, shades—no matter how light the tint. When you are most in need of visibility, it can make you a target for fines.

What’s the best option for you? Stick to category 2 or 3 filters for everyday driving. Category 2 is good for those classic “Spanish-cloudy-but-bright” days, and category 3 is for proper summer glare. You can usually find a small mark on the inside arm of your sunglasses.

Driving in Spain: Clear vision is important for safety

Sunglasses alone aren’t enough. This is the perfect time to have your eyes examined if you haven’t done so in a long time. Did you know that 90% of information you need to drive comes from your eyes? That’s huge. Many of us have been guilty of skipping out on the optician, but it is worth booking in. Now you can have clear vision and the best sunglasses. that’s Combination for safe and fine-free driving

Next time you put on your sunglasses before driving, double check the lenses. It could save you €200, and keep your summer road trips stress-free.