I'm pretty sure we had IDPs on our first trip to Spain in '88 but I don't remember the police using them when Peg got a ticket. First the background and then I move on to the fun part.
We were on a new toll road heading to Barcelona and ran out of cash because the government figured it could pay back the cost of the construction through tolls on the first 10,000 cars using it. So we got off it and on a small road to nowhere; there were absolutely no villages. It became dark. Peg passed a truck and shortly two motorcycle cops pulled us over and asked for fine money. This was all in Spanish which Peg had no exposure too then so she was on edge. I explained that we only had travelers checks and were on that road looking to cash them. They asked us to follow them eventually pulling into a hotel where I got $200 of pesetas (we got to keep a bit over half).
Now here's the fun part. The police are in the dark parking lot writing out the ticket when I return to a nervous Peg. At one point the cop is writing something down and she is worried about it. "What's that?" "Peg, that's your birthday." At the end Peg insists that the cop show his ID. So I ask. He takes it out and shines his flashlight on it. Peg makes a little inhaling sound. The cop looks at me quizzically. "Crea que tu es muy guapo" I told him. Peg was so nervous and upset that she never noticed that this cop's looks would have had Eric Estrada from that CHiPs TV show hiding his face in shame.
I've had over $100 in pleasure telling this story over the years.
I probably should have used the subjective with the guapo statement but I still cant use it.
I can give you a tip when you are stopped by the Guardia Civil.
I used to work for a couple of years in Catalunya ,spoke almost fluently Castillano and was on my way together with my director to an exhibition in Zaragoza. Our hotel was at the left side of a National road but it was not allowed to turn to the left but you had to go for an extra mile or so to the next roundabout and then turn back.Nobody did so I did mot either. .
However I did not notice the Guardia Civil was behind me.
I decided not to speak a word Castillano , knowing that most of these cops do not speak english but they showed me a page from a book where was written about the offence in several languages and the price for the ticket , 90€ .And paying directly.
My boss said to the industrious police officer in poor Castillano. ” we were looking forward for some slices of the famous and exclusive Spanish Pata negra ham ( about 20€ for a plate with 10 slices or so) but now with this fine we have to settle with the much more cheaper and not so delicious Serrano ham
The officer started laughing and we got a reduction of 30€ . So at night there was a nice plate of Pata negra .
Allways do if you do not understand them.