Municipal traffic fines: pay, identify the driver and appeal

What to have ready

1. DNI/NIE and access to Cl@ve or a certificado digital.
2. Matrícula and número de expediente of the fine (or the papeleta/notification with its CSV).
3. Tarjeta bancaria if you’ll use pronto pago.
4. Evidence if you’ll alegar: photos, ORA/SER ticket, resident card, reports, etc.
5. Email and mobile to receive receipts and notices.

Documentation

• Notificación de la multa (paper, DEV or CSV) or publication in TEU.
• Permiso de circulación or any document proving the car is yours.
• Datos del conductor if you’ll identify: name, DNI/NIE, address and driving licence number.
• Pruebas to disprove the sanction (whatever you have, short and focused).

Step by step

1. Check for a notification: if you haven’t received anything, look at the Tablón Edictal Único (TEU) of the BOE: https://www.boe.es/tablon_edictal_unico/
2. Find the procedure at your ayuntamiento: from https://www.gob.es find your municipality’s sede and go to “Multas de tráfico/Sanciones”. Identify with Cl@ve.
3. Pronto pago (50%): if you pay, do it within 20 calendar days from the notification. Enter expediente and matrícula and download the receipt.
4. Identify the driver: use the municipal sede form. If there isn’t one, submit a written statement via the Registro Electrónico Común: https://rec.redsara.es/registro/ addressed to the ayuntamiento, attaching the notification and the driver’s details.
5. Alegaciones: file your statement with evidence within 20 calendar days via the sede or via the REC. Ask expressly for a copy of the expediente if you need it (right under art. 53 de la Ley 39/2015) and keep the resguardo de registro.
6. Wait for the resolution: it can take 1 to 3 months (sometimes more). If it’s dismissed, you can file a recurso de reposición within 1 month or pay to stop surcharges.
7. Future notifications: activate/update the DEV and your address in DGT: https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/tramites-y-multas/multas/direccion-electronica-vial-dev/

Time-saving tips

• If the ayuntamiento’s sede is a mess, use the REC to file on time and sort details later.
• Upload everything as PDF and name files clearly ("ticket_SER_12-05-2026.pdf").
• Ask for photo evidence or radar calibration if you’re disputing that kind of fine. Without it, it’s your word vs theirs.
• Activate alerts for the TEU and the DEV so you don’t miss the discount window.
• Short on cash? Ask about aplazamiento/fraccionamiento on the municipal sede.

Common mistakes that can set you back

1. Paying the 50% then trying to appeal: you can’t. Think before you pay.
2. Missing the 20 calendar days: goodbye discount and you’ll face the rest of the process.
3. Not identifying the driver: failing to do so can mean a penalty of double or triple the original fine.
4. Trusting the postman: if they can’t find you, they post it on the TEU and the deadline still runs.
5. Uploading bad evidence: blurry photos, no date or no context don’t help.
6. Using copy-paste alegaciones: be concise and stick to facts. Generic templates usually end up dismissed.