Costa News Spain Breaking News | English News in Spain.
NEW Year’s Day doesn’t only involve fireworks, grapes and sore heads.
For the tens of millions of motorists who drive in Spain every year, it’s also a reminder to brush up on the latest rules of the road – or risk a run-in with the DGT.
Spain’s traffic authority unveiled new legislation that will govern the road network. These laws are set to come into force today, on January 1, 2026.
This is a quick guide to the new rules.
V16 warning beam
Starting January 1, all registered vehicles in Spain will be required to have a DGT approved V16 emergency signal instead of the red warning triangles.
Placed on the roof from inside the vehicle, the V16 light flashes amber to signal a breakdown – with the warning visible from one kilometre away.
READ MORE: Drivers in Spain will soon need the new V16 light in their car – but can they really explode?
When activated, it also transmits the location of the vehicle to the DGT. This helps to improve roadside security by making emergency services more accessible to a vehicle in distress and alerting other road users to the situation.
Anybody not carrying a V16 light in their glovebox risks a fine of up to €200.
However, the new law is not without controversy. Days before the implementation date, the DGT has removed four different models of hazard alert systems.
The website of the Traffic Authority has a complete list of models approved by DGT.
Seatbelt rules tightened
Front seatbelts were made mandatory in Spain in 1975, and rear seatbelts in 1992.
Taxi drivers, delivery workers, and driving instructors are allowed to drive in certain situations without one.
Starting January 1, everyone will be required to wear their seatbelts at all times. This is regardless of the job they have or where they are.
DGT states that eliminating this gray area in the law can improve safety.
Emergency corridors
As in Germany and Austria the Spanish motorists will be required to adapt their behavior when in traffic jams.
Drivers in the left lanes should move to the left when traffic stops or slows down. This will create an emergency corridor that can be used by ambulances, fire and police services.
DGT hopes that the new policy will keep emergency services out of traffic jams as they rush to accident scenes.
LEZs get bigger
Starting in the new year, cities with a population of more than 50,000 people will be required to operate Low-Emission Zones. These zones restrict vehicle access depending on their emission levels.
The move will impact more than 149 municipalities – equal to nearly half of Spain’s population.
Fines for non-compliance with regulations could reach up to €200.
E-scooter Insurance
All electric scooters must be insured for civil liability as part of the new auto insurance law that was passed in July.
READ MORE: E-scooter users in Spain will need to get insurance from January – after spate of deadly incidents
Users will have to fork out around €100 for an insurance policy that must cover at least €6.45 million per accident for personal injury and €1.3 million for property and material damage.
This move is intended to regulate personal light vehicles (PVLs), such as escooters, hoverboards and segways in response to an increase in fatal accidents.
This will not come into effect until 2026, once the registration system has been implemented.
Some rules will take effect immediately. Drivers must now wear helmets, and they must be at least 16 years of age.
Click here for more Spain News by The Olive Press.
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