Electric scooters (PMVs)

Sets the minimum age to drive a Personal Mobility Vehicle (PMVs) at 15-years old.

Helmets must be worn at all times, along with a reflective vest at night or in low-visibility conditions. Professionals riding PMVs (pizza delivery for exampe) must wear the vest at all times.

These vehicles must always keep their lighting turned on (effective from October 2027).

Outside urban areas, PMVs may be allowed to ride on infrastructure segregated from road traffic, such as cycle paths or motorbike lanes.

Cyclists

Helmet use exemptions are eliminated, and all cyclists must wear a helmet on interurban roads.

Cyclists working professionally using this vehicle (riders/couriers) must wear a protective helmet and a reflective vest at all times.

Drivers overtaking a cyclist on an interurban road must reduce their speed by at least 20 km/h below the existing speed limit on that road.

Furthermore, on roadways with more than one lane in each direction, the overtaking driver must change lanes completely, in addition to leaving a 1.5-metre side clearance.

On urban roads: Cyclists should preferably ride in the centre of the lane to improve safety.

Drivers of cars etc must leave a minimum separation of 5 meters from cyclists preceding them in the same lane.

On single-lane roads where the speed limit is 30 km/h or lower, and with prior road markings, municipal authorities may permit bicycles to travel in both directions.

Motorcyclists

Protective gloves are mandatory for riders and passengers of motorcycles & mopeds on interurban roads, and closed-toe footwear is required on all types of roads (pending a ministerial order regulating technical specifications, current motorcycle gloves with the same characteristics will be used).

Helmets for moped users must be officially homologated (homologados) rather than merely certified (effective October 2027).

Professionals or couriers working with a motorcycle must wear a reflective vest at all times.

Motorcycles must carry a reflective vest stored inside the vehicle and wear it when stepping out onto the roadway or shoulder on interurban roads; mopeds are exempt from carrying one as standard equipment.

Motorcycles are permitted to ride on the right shoulder during traffic congestion, without exceeding 30 km/h and with prior road marking of the section.

Protective Equipment

Seatbelt use exemptions previously existing for taxi drivers, freight/delivery vehicle drivers, and driving school instructors are removed. They must wear it fastened at all times; an exception is established protecting patients/passengers in medical transport ambulances.

Other Urban Rules

At signposted pedestrian crossings, as a general rule, the flashing amber light for vehicles may not coincide with the green light for pedestrians.

Safe school routes (caminos escolares seguros) are given legal standing, defined as a set of pathways conditioned by competent authorities to encourage children to travel to schools on foot, via public transport, or using non-motorised mobility means.

The parking manoeuvers for motorhomes are regulated; they cannot extend fixtures that overflow the vehicle’s perimeter (projected footstep), must rest solely on their tyres, and cannot discharge fluids from the interior living quarters.

(News: Spain)

Keywords: Changes to Road Usage Rules, Moped, Motorbikes, Cyclists, Camper Vans, Helmets, Seatbelts

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