The Clothing Choices That Will Land You A Huge Fine On A Road Trip In Spain

While Europe is known for its high-speed trains and short flights between cities, you might want to stick to driving when exploring Spain. In fact, Spain is proven to be the best country in Europe for unforgettable road trips. However, your memories might not all be positive if you fail to learn the local norms before getting behind the wheel.

Just like any destination, the Iberian country has several rules drivers must follow, though these rules can sometimes go beyond your typical traffic light and speed limit orders. In Spain, drivers are discouraged from wearing flip-flops, and doing so could result in a fine of between 80 and 200 euros (about $90 to $225). The same goes for driving while barefoot.

Note that there isn't a law that specifically forbids driving with flip-flops or going barefoot on the roads, as the Guardia Civil explained on X (formerly known as Twitter). Still, if you get into an accident and are found to be without proper driving shoes, officers have the right to slap you with a fine for "not being able to maintain freedom of movement." Keep this in mind when heading to the underrated beaches of the coastal paradise Galicia or hitting the roads of Spain in the summer, and always keep a pair of secure and comfortable shoes in your rental car.

As a traveler, you need to be cautious of the clothing you pack on a trip to Europe. Some clothes will immediately out you as a tourist, while others could be deemed inappropriate for certain historical and religious sites. With that said, the same common sense you use when getting dressed in your country will, in many cases, also apply when visiting Spain. Just as you wouldn't usually wear unsafe clothes to drive in, you wouldn't want to wear clothes that impede your ability to drive properly in Spain either.

Take hats as an example. When driving, you likely already know not to wear a hat that covers your ears, since it could mute the sound of car horns and other traffic noise. Understandably, this is also considered dangerous when driving in Spain, and if you're caught wearing a hat over your ears, you might be fined 100 euros (about $110).

Driving shirtless is treated similarly in Spain. According to lawmakers, you can get hurt if the seat belt (which you should be wearing at all times, of course) rubs against your skin. This could be especially dangerous in the event of a car accident, when you may suffer severe cuts and bruises. Just like with wearing flip-flops, fines for not wearing a shirt can range from 80 to 200 euros.