Little known Spanish law could land British tourists with £170 fine when driving on holiday

Despite the hot weather, drivers who are spotted without a shirt face a fine of up to €200 (£171) and three penalty points.

Although being shirtless while driving isn't illegally specifically, Spanish law prohibits anything that prevents safe driving.

Wearing inappropriate clothes or footwear is covered under this rule, meaning Britons could find themselves significantly out of pocket.

According to the General Directorate of Traffic in the country, being shirtless can be dangerous as it can lead to sunburn and injuries if the seatbelt is activated.

Andrew Jervis, CEO of online mechanic marketplace ClickMechanic, said: “It’s fairly common to see motorists in the UK remove their shirts to cool down during hot weather.

“But we need to remember that laws in other countries are not always the same and I’d urge people to be aware of what’s legal and illegal when they get behind the wheel somewhere new.

“In Spain, traffic police consider driving shirtless to be a threat to your safety and your ability to move, which means it is against the law to strip off your top half.

“When travelling abroad it’s essential to respect the local rules and regulations, even if they seem very different to what we’re used to at home.”

An estimated 15.1 million Britons headed to Spain in 2022, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations.

But it has a number of traffic rules that differ from the UK, leaving motorists at risk of punishments unless they know what to avoid.

Spanish law says that any action that could distract either the driver or the passenger should be avoided, and officers can include driving shirtless in this.

The punishment can vary depending on the individual police officer, but it can range from a fine of €80 to €200 and three penalty points.

Similarly, driving while wearing flip flops can also land those guilty with an unwanted fine.