The Guardia Civil on 13 October 2026 in Plasencia (province of Cáceres) reported a man who arrived by car for the theoretical test to regain points, even though his driving licence had ceased to be valid after he lost all his points. Officers checked the driver near the examination room set up by the Dirección General de Tráfico . The documents were forwarded to the competent court in Plasencia.
According to the authorities, the conduct falls under Article 384 of the Código Penal, which makes it an offence to drive a motor vehicle without the required licence or after its validity has been withdrawn. Spanish criminal law provides for a choice of three to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of 12 to 24 months, or 31 to 90 days of community service. The Dirección General de Tráfico stresses that attending courses and tests to regain points does not in itself authorise someone to drive; the right to drive is restored only once it has been formally reissued.
The investigation is part of regular checks at tests to regain points. According to the Guardia Civil, similar incidents had already been recorded at the same examination centre. For example, on 15 January 2026, a man was caught driving to a test of this kind in Plasencia and was subsequently prosecuted. The cooperation between the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico in Cáceres and the Subsector de Tráfico of the Guardia Civil aims, according to the authorities, to ensure the tests are conducted lawfully and improve road safety.
It remains unclear when the driver who has now been reported was formally informed that his driving licence had ceased to be valid, and whether administrative proceedings will also be brought against the owner of the vehicle used. No further information on his identity, age or any possible interim measure was initially available.
Spain introduced its probationary and points-based driving licence system in 2006 and has adjusted it several times since. The basic rule remains: anyone who loses all their points also loses the validity of their driving licence and may not drive until it has been formally reissued. Offences are not merely administrative violations; in cases such as the one in Plasencia, they constitute a crime under Article 384 of the Código Penal.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).