Error, the field Date of Notification is not correct - US and Canada

Trying to pay a fine and you can't get past the "Error, the field Date of Notification is not correct" message? Well, if you live in the US or in Canada it might be a little tricky to sort this out. 

The reason why you cannot pay even using the DGT calendar is that your OS and browser are more than likely to use the US date format (MM/DD/YYYY), and the site will only work if it receives the date information in the European format (DD/MM/YYYY). To fix this issue you will have to change the settings both in your OS and in your browser.

You will probably have to look for the time, language and region settings, but every browser/OS has its unique way to do it. Below you can find information about those I've found, if you know how to change the settings in a particular OS or browser do please leave a comment.

Change date format in Windows 10.

Change date format in Firefox.

Change date format in Chrome.

Change date format in Edge.

Change date format in iOS.

Change date format in Safari.

Change date format in Android.

Error: it was not possible to conduct the operation

The DGT payment platform is having issues with given cards, especially when trying to pay a fine from third countries. The error message is pretty vague: 'Error: it was not possible to conduct the operation'.

In these cases the only alternative seems to be making a bank transfer.

Where is the reply form to identify the driver?

When you receive a notification from the Spanish traffic authorities it says that 'If you were not the driver [...] you are obliged to submit the reply form...', but there is no reply form in the letter. How do you identify the driver then? According to the Spanish Traffic Law, to identify the driver you must provide the following data,

• Record number
• Full name
• Driving licence
• Postal address
• Copy of the driving licence (if the driver is not registered as a driver in Spain)

The best way to identify the driver is using your own form including all the information required.

More information about how to identify the driver.

The field 'date of notification' is not correct

If you get the following error message: 'Error:  the field 'date of notification' is not correct' you should try again using a Windows PC or an Android device with either Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

If you use iOS no matter the browser or Windows with Internet Explorer or Microsoft Edge, DGT's website won't read the notification date properly.

Update August 2020: important information if you are trying to pay from the US or from Canada.

Do you get points for speeding in spain?

No, you don't get points for speeding in Spain unless you have a Spanish driving licence. If you are a legal Spanish resident you can be forced to exchange your EU/UK licence for a Spanish licence, and the points will then be taken off your new Spanish licence.

In Spain your driving licence has 8 to 15 points, and you lose points when caught in a number of traffic offences. When your balance is zero you lose your licence for at least one year, and you need to take a driving course to get your licence back. You gain points (up to a maximum 15) after two or three years without point losses.

How to identify the driver

If you are the owner of a car that has been caught speeding in Spain you will receive a letter with a requirement to identify the driver and some details of the offence. Individuals can choose to pay the fine straight away, unless they are Spanish residents and the driver identification is mandatory (fines with points deduction). Companies will usually choose to identify the employee / client who was driving. Here is a sample identification form that might be useful (I have omitted the head). I would attach a copy of the driver's driving license and fax it to the 0034902512151 (yes, they still use a fax).

Driver identification

Dossier: 111111111111

The driver at the time of the offence was,

Name: Mr. John Smith

Birth date: DD/MM/YYYY

Driving license nr:

Address: 123 Street
Hereandthere
A12 34B Charming Village

-------------------------

You can also fax a copy of the requirement, though the dossier or expediente number is the only thing they need.

DGT: This sanction cannot be paid. Please, call 060...

What to do when you try to pay for a DGT fine and you get the following error message,

This sanction cannot be paid. Please, call 060 for consultation or go to any Provincial Traffic Headquarters.

When the site doesn't allow you to pay and you are abroad, the only alternative is the bank transfer. These are all the details you need,

• IBAN: ES11 2100 5731 710200203821
• SWIFT/BIC: CAIXESBB or CAIXESBBXXX
• Tax Identification Number (CIF, in Spanish): Q2816003D
• Account name: Jefatura Central de Tráfico - Sanciones extranjero 
• Quote the record number / dossier number / n. expediente!!!

If the transfer is correct the case will be closed for payment within about 2 weeks. However, and as far as I have read in different forums, they are having trouble to track some transfers, so my advice is to send a fax with a copy of the bank statement and the reference number (aka record number, aka dossier number, aka n. expediente, aka numero di pratica...). The fax number to send the document is 0034902512151.

If you got the "this sanction cannot be paid" error message transfer just 50% of the total amount of the fine, and include the following message in the fax; "I only just received the fine, so I pay with the 50% discount for early payment".