Carpooling, car limits, daily fees and car restrictions: what could change on Spanish roads?

We could be in for a major change to the way we travel around Spain’s crowded cities. The Directorate General of Traffic has a number of proposals that aim to reduce congestion in major cities like Madrid.

What are the headline ideas? Two people minimum per car in the city and daily charges of one euro for non-residents. It’s time to start paying attention if you like to drive around in your own vehicle or are a tourist who prefers to travel by road.

Why does the DGT propose these changes to urban traffic?

Spanish cities, especially during the peak season, are faced with increasing traffic congestion and air pollution. The DGT is inspired by European “high occupancy vehicle (HOV),” “carpool”, or “carpool” lanes. It wants car-sharing to become the norm in large urban areas.
At this stage of discussion, the idea is to require that all private vehicles entering or driving around large cities such as Madrid have at least 2 occupants. Technology such as cameras or sensors could be used – as is already done in parts of France – to check compliance. What is the goal? Carpooling will allow for faster travel times and lower emissions.

But it’s not just that. A daily fee charged to non-residents for using certain city streets is another hot topic. Think of it as a congestion charge, but at just €1 per day for outsiders. The aim is to promote public transport, and reduce the number of unnecessary car trips made by commuters or tourists who come from outside of the city.

Traffic restrictions in Mallorca and Ibiza: What is changing?

You can see the new ideas for traffic in action on the Balearic Islands. On Ibiza and Formentera, for example, non-residents already face a €1 daily charge for bringing cars onto the islands during the summer rush. Even entry and time restrictions are in place to keep the beaches and roads pristine.

Mallorca is planning to up the ante even further: proposals are in the works for a tiered fee system, with charges ranging from €35 to €150, depending on your car’s emissions. The aim is clear – fewer polluting vehicles, more space for everyone, and a greener island all round.

But it doesn’t stop here. Local government officials are also considering limiting each household to one vehicle. The only exceptions would be for emergency situations, residents with disabilities, and other special cases. But the goal is to reduce the daily traffic jams.

Carpool Lane Rules and Fees: Will they come to mainland Spain

DGT, on the mainland of Spain, is taking note of these island experiments. The agency, under director Pere Navarro, is openly considering rolling out similar carpool rules and daily charges to Spain’s major cities – but nothing’s final yet.
It’s being discussed to use new technology, such as sensors and number plate reader, to ensure drivers follow the “two-person rule”. In France, similar programs have helped to increase carpooling on busy commuter roads and reduce traffic.

Still, everything is very much ‘under review.’ There’s no firm date for when – or if – these measures might kick in, and plenty of details to work out. What happens if a single driver is involved in an accident? Local residents will get a free ticket? Can visitors get exemptions? You can expect to hear a lot of debate before any changes are made.

What this means to drivers in Spain

If these proposals are passed, Spanish roads may soon look completely different. If you are a solo driver in the city, you may be fined. Visitors or non-residents might have to pay a fee or park, then ride. For everyone else, it could mean a faster, cleaner journey – as long as you’re happy to share the ride.

It’s important to stay up-to-date on DGT’s latest moves, whether you are a resident driver or a frequent visitor. Spain’s push towards cleaner, smarter and less congested city could be around the corner.