World · Europe · 2 hrs ago
Arturo Pérez-Reverte pays €100 fine for riding in taxi without seat belt
Spanish writer Arturo Pérez-Reverte was fined for riding in a taxi without a seat belt.
He said the Guardia Civil stopped him on Monday, 2 November, and issued the fine.
The original fine was €200, reduced to €100 for paying promptly.
Pérez-Reverte said he paid on the spot and accepted that the officers had acted correctly.
His account on X drew attention for its light tone, including his joking use of the word “mortadelos” for euros.
The incident highlights that taxi passengers must wear seat belts.
The sources give no further action in the case.
Arturo Pérez-Reverte paid a €100 fine after the Civil Guard caught him riding in a taxi without wearing a seat belt.
He said the officers were right to fine him and that their actions were correct.
The fine was initially €200 but was reduced by 50% for prompt payment.
Pérez-Reverte said he paid it on the spot and shared the episode on X on 2 November.
- Who
- Arturo Pérez-Reverte, a writer and member of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- What
- He was fined for riding in a taxi without wearing a seat belt and paid €100.
- When
- 2 November 2026.
- Where
- In a taxi; the specific location is not stated.
- Why
- He was not wearing his seat belt during the journey.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The new General Traffic Regulations came into force, removing an exception that had allowed taxi drivers to drive without seat belts in some urban areas.
Pérez-Reverte said the Civil Guard fined him for riding in a taxi without a seat belt, and that he paid the reduced €100 fine on the spot.
He shared the episode on his X account.
- Fine paid
- €100
- Initial fine
- €200
- Discount
- 50% for prompt payment
- Incident date
- 2 November 2026
- Vehicle
- Taxi
3 sources
What people are saying
With all the reason in the world, the Civil Guard hit me today with a hundred mortadelos fine, which I paid on the spot. Everything pertinent and correct. I wished them good service.
Posts on X
Con toda la razón del mundo, la Guardia Civil me ha calzado hoy cien mortadelos de multa, que he pagado en el acto. Todo pertinente y correcto. Les he deseado buen servicio.