Traffic Rules in Spain: What Drivers Need to Know This Summer to Avoid Fines (2025)
Expat Tips
Published: 07 June 2022 13:01 CET
Updated: 05 May 2025 13:01 CET
If you're planning to drive in Spain this summer—whether as a resident, tourist, or visiting family—you’ll want to brush up on the country’s traffic laws. Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) has tightened several regulations in recent years, aiming to reduce accidents and encourage safer road habits. Some rules are completely new, while others carry tougher penalties than before. This guide outlines everything you need to know to avoid costly fines, points on your licence, and a ruined holiday.
1. Overtaking Rules: No More Speed Leeway
Overtaking remains one of the leading causes of serious traffic accidents in Spain, particularly on rural roads. Authorities have now eliminated the previous rule that allowed drivers to exceed the speed limit by 20 km/h when overtaking on single-lane roads.
As of 2025, you must stick to the posted speed limit—usually 90 km/h on non-motorway roads—regardless of whether you're passing another vehicle. Going over the limit, even briefly, is now considered a serious offence and carries a €100 to €300 fine and possible points deductions.
2. Cyclist Safety: Increased Distance and Lane Changes
Spain continues to strengthen protections for cyclists. When overtaking a cyclist on a single-lane road, you must allow a clearance of at least 1.5 metres. You may cross a solid white line to provide this distance, provided the manoeuvre does not endanger oncoming traffic.
On roads with multiple lanes, you are now required to fully change lanes to pass a cyclist safely. Failure to comply results in a €200 fine and a deduction of 4 to 6 points from your driving licence.
3. Mobile Phones and Navigation Devices
Using—or even holding—a mobile phone while driving in Spain is a strict no-go. Authorities classify it as a “manual distraction,” and it's one of the most heavily penalised offences under current DGT regulations.
Even if you’re not actively using your phone, just having it in your hand can result in a €200 fine and 6 penalty points. The same rules apply to tablets, GPS devices, and smartwatches if used while driving.
4. Seat Belts, Helmets, and Child Safety
Wearing a seat belt is non-negotiable in Spain. The same applies to motorbike helmets and using proper child restraint systems. Authorities frequently conduct roadside checks, especially near school zones and city exits.
Not wearing a seat belt or helmet—or failing to use the correct child seat—results in a €200 fine and a deduction of 4 points. This was previously a 3-point offence, but has been raised due to the severity of injuries recorded in crashes involving non-compliance.
5. Don’t Litter: Throwing Objects from Cars
Spain has cracked down on roadside littering, particularly given the fire risks during hot summer months. Throwing cigarette butts, bottles, food wrappers, or any objects from a moving vehicle can cost you up to €500.
Worse still, you could lose up to 6 points from your licence, especially if the object poses a danger to other vehicles or the environment. Police routinely check popular tourist routes for this type of offence during peak season.
6. Alcohol Limits for Minors: Zero Tolerance
If you're under the age of 18, there is no permissible blood alcohol content for driving in Spain. This zero-tolerance policy also extends to electric scooters (patinetes), mopeds, and motorcycles driven by minors.
Any measurable amount of alcohol results in a €500 fine—regardless of whether the driver appears intoxicated or not. This rule is strictly enforced during the summer months when underage drivers are more active on the roads.
7. Alcolocks in New Vehicles
Since July 2022, all new cars sold in the EU—including Spain—must be equipped with an alcolock system. This anti-start device requires the driver to pass a breath test before the engine will start.
If the system detects alcohol, the car will either prevent the engine from starting or impose a delay of several minutes. In cases of higher blood alcohol readings, the delay could extend to over 30 minutes. Though not required for older vehicles, new models are delivered with the system factory-installed.
8. E-scooter Regulations (Patinetes Eléctricos)
Electric scooters continue to grow in popularity in Spain's urban centres. However, riders must comply with the same basic rules as other vehicles, including:
- No riding on pavements or motorways
- No passengers—only one person per vehicle
- No mobile phone use or headphones
- Minimum age: 15 (varies slightly by region)
Offenders can be fined between €100 and €500, and the scooters may be temporarily confiscated by local police.
9. Regaining Licence Points
If you’ve lost points due to infractions, there’s still a way back. Drivers who go 2 years without any offences (3 years if the prior offence was serious) will have their full 12-point balance restored automatically.
Additionally, you can recover up to 2 points by completing a certified driving safety course, offered by DGT-accredited training centres across Spain.
Protect Yourself While Driving in Spain
Spain’s roads can be breathtaking—but also risky. Make sure you’re not just legally compliant, but also covered in case of accident. The Sanitas Top Quantum plan includes coverage for injuries sustained in traffic incidents and is an ideal choice for expats who spend a lot of time behind the wheel.
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