With vehicle dashboards becoming increasingly digital, distracted driving has emerged as a primary threat to road safety in Spain, with mobile phones being the main culprit. To regulate driver behavior, Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) has established clear rules for the placement of in-car phone holders, with severe penalties for violators.
Obstructed View is a Violation: The DGT’s Core Regulation
According to DGT traffic regulations, a driver’s forward field of vision must remain completely clear and unobstructed by any object or device. This means that if a phone holder is placed in a position that blocks the view of the road ahead or creates a new blind spot, it constitutes a traffic violation. This measure aims to reduce accidents caused by obstructed views or phone handling at their source.
Penalty Standards: A €200 Fine and 3 Points
Drivers who install their phone holders in an improper location will face a €200 fine and a 3-point deduction from their driving license if a traffic officer determines it obstructs their driving view. Suction-cup mounts attached directly to the windshield are considered the highest-risk type, as they are most likely to interfere with the forward view.
Recommended Safe Installation Areas
To use navigation legally while ensuring driving safety, the DGT recommends mounting the phone holder in an area that does not interfere with the driver’s primary field of vision. The most recommended location is on the air vent blades of the dashboard. Placing the holder and phone here allows the driver to easily view navigation without taking up precious windshield space. Furthermore, regardless of the location, the mount must be securely fastened to prevent the phone from detaching due to vibrations while driving, which could create a new hazard.
The Ultimate Warning: Severe Penalties for Handling a Phone While Driving
It must be strongly emphasized that even if the phone holder is correctly placed, the law strictly prohibits drivers from handling or holding a mobile phone while the vehicle is in motion. Any manual interaction with a phone while driving is considered a serious case of distracted driving. If caught by enforcement cameras or an officer on the spot, the driver will face a fine of at least €200 and a direct deduction of 6 points—a penalty much stricter than for an improperly placed holder.
