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DRIVING

MAP: The trick to find out where Spain’s invisible speed cameras are

Did you know there's a legal way to find out where Spain's so-called invisible speed cameras are located in order to avoid hefty traffic fines?

Published: 9 March 2022 16:19 CET
Updated: 12 March 2022 07:21 CET
MAP: The trick to find out where Spain's invisible speed cameras are
Using a phone app to have an approximate idea of where as speed camera is located is legal in Spain. Photo: Lynda Sanchez/Pixabay

In 2018, Spain’s Directorate General of Traffic rolled out the latest speed camera technology, the velolásers, also referred to as radares invisibles (invisible speed cameras), given that they’re very difficult to spot. 

These small devices, which measure just 50 centimetres in width and weigh about two kilograms, are placed on tripods or attached to road signs. You won’t necessarily spot them by the side of the road either, as they detect vehicles between 15 and 50 metres away. 

They’re wireless, completely autonomous and are capable of recording speeds ranging from 30 km/h to 250 km/h.

While we’re not encouraging that any of our readers who drive in Spain surpass the speed limit or don’t follow the road rules, you can end up paying €100 if you momentaneously go over the limit by a few kilometres.  

So where are these so-called invisible speed cameras that number at least 40 in Spain?

The following map shows you where they are:

A map screenshot of so-called invisible speed cameras across Spain. Source: SocialDrive

As you can see, most of them are in the Galician cities of A Coruña and Lugo, in Albacete in central Spain, Madrid, Valladolid and Asturias, as well as several others spread around mainland Spain. 

This information is available thanks to an app called SocialDrive, which has created a map for Google Maps that you can access in interactive format here. 

Each mapped speed camera includes detailed information and often a photo if you click on the icon. 

This has been added by the thousands of SocialDrive users in Spain who have real-life experience of having been fined by the veloláser cameras, intel which is then verified by SocialDrive administrators.

The app also allows users to know where police controls are taking place in Spain, if they have any traffic fines pending or if there are traffic jams up ahead.

SocialDrive is completely legal, and even though the DGT has tried to dissuade users from having this kind of information, Spanish traffic authorities have acknowledged that giving an approximate location of a speed camera isn’t illegal (pinpointing the exact position is).

Having a speed camera detector device or jammer installed in the car, sharing images of police checkpoints and police vehicles are punishable offences.

The SocialDrive app is available on iOS and Android.

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For members

PADRON

When and how you need to renew your padrón certificate in Spain

The padrón document you get when registering at your local town hall in Spain must be renewed periodically. Find out when and the steps on how to do it.

Published: 22 April 2024 13:09 CEST
When and how you need to renew your padrón certificate in Spain

The padrón certificate is used to show proof of where you live. Your town hall – or ayuntamiento – uses it to find how many people are living in the area and what their ages are.

The number of people living in each area will depend on how much money they will receive from the government. They use this money for local services such as schools, health centres, parks and police officers.

If you are a non-EU citizen with temporary residence (less than 5 years) in Spain, then you will need to renew your padrón certificate every two years.

You will also need to renew your padrón each time you move house, as it should have your current address. 

For some bureaucratic processes in Spain, you will also need to be able to show you have a padrón certificate that’s no older than three months. 

Depending on where you live, there are different ways you can renew it. This could be in person, online or by post.

READ ALSO – Padrón: 16 things you should know about Spain’s town hall registration

Generally, in order to renew your certificate, you will need:

  • A recent gas, water or electricity bill in your name
  • Your rental contract and receipt of your last rental payment
  • If you own your own property, you will need to show evidence that you own it, such as the property deeds

You will also need to show:

  • A valid residence card such as TIE
  • A valid passport
  • In addition, it is also advisable to bring your previous padrón certificate

For children you will also need the following:

  • Records of your digitised family book (libro de família)
  • A valid passport or residence permit of the minor
  • A passport of one of the parents which also contains the identification data of the minor
  • Birth certificate of your child

If you do not live in the same household as your child, you will also need:

  • A delegation for registration form, signed by the parent who lives with the minor.
  • Photocopy of the valid identification document of the parent who lives with the child.
  • In the case of minors under 14 years of age, it will not be mandatory for them to have an NIE, passport or identification document from their country of origin.

Remember that all your documents should be officially translated into Spanish or another local language such as Catalan, if they aren’t already.

READ ALSO: Can I get my padrón online in Spain?

In person

If you are applying in person, you will need to make an appointment at your local Ayuntamiento or town hall.

When the date for your appointment arrives you will need to complete the renewal form, which will most like look something like this, but may change depending on where you live. 

You will also need to bring originals and photocopies of all the documents above.

Online

If you have a digital certificate or Cl@ve PIN you are able to renew your padrón online. You will need to do this via your local government website.

First, you’ll need to identify yourself digitally with your digital certificate or Cl@ve PIN.

Next you will have to complete the renewal form and then attach digital copies of all the above documentation that’s required.

Then you’ll need to submit and sign it digitally.

By post

Although this is not the most common way to renew your certificate, some town halls may let you apply by post and will have details of the relevant address to send your documents and forms to online. 

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