DGT Warns Drivers: Using Rearview Mirrors for Grooming Is a Punishable Offense
Spain's Directorate-General for Traffic has warned drivers that using rearview mirrors for grooming or non-driving purposes is a punishable distraction that carries an 80-euro fine.
Road safety is back in the spotlight after the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) issued a warning about the misuse of rearview mirrors. The agency reminds drivers that using mirrors for anything other than monitoring the road—such as checking your appearance or grooming—is a punishable offense. These actions are considered distractions that put both the driver and others at risk.
Under Article 18.1 of the General Traffic Regulations, drivers have a legal duty to maintain constant attention to the road. The DGT stresses that adjusting mirrors while driving or glancing at them for aesthetic reasons reduces your ability to react to sudden hazards.
Drivers caught using mirrors for non-driving purposes face an 80-euro fine. This penalty reflects the importance of keeping focus on traffic, as driver distraction remains one of the leading causes of accidents in Spain.
The DGT emphasizes that rearview mirrors should be used exclusively to check blind spots, monitor surrounding traffic, and perform maneuvers safely. To avoid unnecessary risks, mirrors should always be adjusted before you start your journey, while the vehicle is still stationary.