A staggering 91.9 percent of Spanish drivers would not pass the theory test if they had to retake it now. A new report reveals how outdated knowledge and lack of refresher training put millions at risk on the road.
Just 8.1 percent of Spanish drivers would pass the B license theory test if they had to take it again today. That figure comes from a nationwide study by Fundación Línea Directa, which tested 1,700 drivers and found that nearly 26 million would fail under current standards.
The results are even worse for drivers over 55, where the failure rate rises to 94.5 percent. But the problem isn’t just age. The report, titled Suspensos con carné. ¿Aprobarías hoy el carné de conducir?, points to a general decline in knowledge about traffic rules, road signs, and recent changes to regulations. Most drivers, no matter how much experience they have, are on the road with outdated or incomplete information about the law.
According to official DGT clarifications, a first aid kit is not a mandatory item in Spanish passenger cars, despite common misconceptions.
To get a B license in Spain, candidates must answer 30 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes, with no more than three mistakes allowed. In the Fundación Línea Directa test, 16.5 percent of drivers made more than 10 errors, and 75.4 percent missed between 4 and 10 questions. The most common mistakes were about rules for motorcycles and mopeds (63 percent), traffic signs (30 percent), and general road regulations (27 percent).
One question that tripped up many asked if a traffic officer can give a second breathalyzer test when a driver is under the legal alcohol limit. The answer is yes, if the driver shows clear signs of intoxication. This kind of detail shows how easily important safety knowledge fades without regular updates.
The main reason for these results is clear: 77 percent of drivers haven’t had any further road safety education since they first got their license. This is despite major changes to Spain’s traffic laws, including a reform passed by Congress in 2022 and several updates to the traffic code from the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) in recent years.
In 2024, the average pass rate for Spain's official theory test was 51%, with notable regional differences: Zamora and Jaén led with 61% and 60% respectively, while Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Segovia had the lowest rates at 42%.
Official DGT data from 2024 puts the real-world pass rate for the theory test at 51 percent. Zamora (61 percent) and Jaén (60 percent) have the highest rates, while Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and Segovia are at the bottom with 42 percent. The Fundación Línea Directa study also found women failed at a slightly higher rate (93.3 percent) than men (90.5 percent), and regional differences remain, with the highest failure rates in the Canary Islands, Extremadura, and Aragón.
Even as theoretical knowledge fades, practical experience still counts. According to the DGT, 81.6 percent of drivers in 2024 had held their license for at least ten years, and their accident rate was 17.1 points lower than average. By contrast, drivers with less than a year of experience had a higher accident rate, and this trend continued for those with up to ten years behind the wheel.
Spain’s traffic rules have changed significantly in recent years, not just for car drivers but also for cyclists, motorbikes, and e-scooters, as covered in a recent update. But without ongoing education, millions of drivers remain unaware of the latest requirements, which undermines the impact of these reforms.
As Fundación Línea Directa’s director general Mar Garre put it, the level of ignorance about new rules and road safety is striking. The data points to a systemic failure to keep drivers informed, with real consequences for everyone on the road. Without regular retraining and better awareness, Spain’s traffic reforms may not reach drivers where it matters most: in their daily habits behind the wheel.
