Driving licence points system in Spain

[greytop]

From July 1st drivers in Spain will be encouraged to drive better by having points assigned to their licence which they lose for traffic infractions. Similar to other European (at least) systems although different to UK where you start with none and collect them. Nominal points are 12 (+2 more for good behaviour after 3 years and then +1 for next 3 years) . New drivers start with 8 for first 3 years.
Still no clear idea how/if foreigners will fit into this scheme and exactly when Spanish licence holders get their points so there may be a few anomalies.
Elmundo has an article on how to lose them all in one journey, should you be short of ideas.

http://www.elmundo.es/elmundomotor/2006/06/23/usuarios/1151082244.html

For more info (& a chance to hear some spoken Castellaño) look in
http://www.permisoporpuntos.es/es/

Watch out for fun ahead!

[Ben]

I also read today (http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2006/06/20/espana/1150822251.html) that driving at 90 km/h in the city could lead to jail sentences, which would essentially put every taxi driver in Madrid in prison within a week!

[Brian]

Passing legislation is one thing, but enforcing it is another. As an outsider looking in, will such legislation be enforced?

We've always had a point system here in the States, where you start with 0 points, and you accrue 3 points for each violation. 12 points or more in a X-year period, and your license is suspended. I haven't ever lost more than 3 in a 5-year period, but I'm a fairly cautious driver.