Spain’s updated traffic regulations entered enforcement on October 1, 2026, following approval of Real Decreto 518/2026, which revised the Reglamento General de Circulación. The overhaul applies to drivers, cyclists, motorcyclists, e-scooter riders, and pedestrians, prioritizing safety for vulnerable road users while adapting to contemporary mobility practices. Enforcement responsibilities fall to the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT). The reforms begin by refining classifications for vulnerable road users—pedestrians, cyclists, e-scooter riders (Vehículos de Movilidad Personal, or VMP), and motorcyclists.
For e-scooter operators, the minimum operating age increases to 15, and riders must now wear helmets at all times. Additional requirements include reflective vests during nighttime or low-visibility conditions and front and rear lights activated continuously, even in daylight. In non-urban areas, e-scooter use is restricted to bike lanes unless local signage permits alternative routes. Cyclists also face heightened accountability under the new rules. Helmet use becomes mandatory for all ages, eliminating prior exemptions for adults.
When overtaking cyclists on interurban roads, drivers must reduce speed by at least 20 km/h below the posted limit and maintain a 1.5-meter lateral distance. If the road features multiple lanes, the overtaking vehicle must fully shift into an adjacent lane. In urban settings, cyclists are encouraged to ride in the center of their lane and maintain a 5-meter gap from motorized vehicles traveling in the same direction. Motorcyclists and moped riders encounter several new safety mandates.
Protective gloves are now required on highways, while closed-toe footwear must be worn on all roads. Beginning October 1, 2027, moped riders will need homologated helmets, rendering older certifications invalid. The rules also permit motorcyclists to use the right shoulder in traffic jams, provided speeds remain under 30 km/h and the maneuver is permitted by road markings. Professional riders, such as delivery couriers, must wear helmets and reflective vests continuously while operating. A key innovation in the reforms is the legal codification of vulnerable user protections.
The DGT acknowledges that enforcement will be critical, particularly in rural areas where compliance with traffic regulations has historically been weaker. Pedestrian safety receives targeted improvements as well. At signalized crosswalks, the amber flashing warning light for vehicles will no longer overlap with the green non-flashing pedestrian signal, eliminating a long-standing source of confusion. On streets with shared sidewalks, pedestrians are granted priority over other road users.
The reforms also introduce safe school routes as a legally recognized category, mandating dedicated paths for students traveling to educational institutions on foot, by bicycle, or via public transport. Highway driving protocols undergo significant adjustments, particularly in winter conditions. On freeways and expressways, snow-related slowdowns will prohibit passing maneuvers, and the left lane must remain clear for emergency and snow-clearing vehicles. During reduced-speed conditions, drivers are required to pull over to create an emergency lane: on two-lane roads, vehicles should move to both sides; on three-lane roads, the gap opens between the left and center lanes.
The reforms also address long-standing exceptions for seatbelt use in taxis, cargo vehicles, and driving schools, eliminating all but the ambulance passenger exemption during emergency service. For autocaravans, stricter safety rules now prohibit extendable parts from protruding beyond the vehicle’s outline and ban fluid leaks from the living area, reducing hazards for other road users.
While the updates represent a step toward modernizing Spain’s traffic laws, challenges persist. Enforcement in less populated regions may dilute the reforms’ intended impact, especially for e-scooter and cyclist compliance, which has historically varied by locality. The DGT has committed to expanded patrols in high-risk zones. The full regulatory text, including technical specifications for vehicle modifications and enforcement protocols, is available in Real Decreto 518/2026, published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado (BOE). Compliance checks for e-scooter riders and cyclists will begin in Q1 2027, with phased rollouts for motorcyclist gear requirements extending through 2028.
