Spain’s government has approved a major overhaul of the Reglamento General de Circulación, introducing new obligations and penalties for users of electric scooters, bicycles, motorcycles, professional drivers and motorhomes. Reporting identifies the reform as Real Decreto 518/2026, dated June 24. It puts vulnerable road users at the centre of its safety measures. Announced after a Council of Ministers meeting, most provisions take effect on October 1, 2026, while some will be phased in later.
Stricter Rules for E-Scooters
One of the most impressive updates targets personal mobility vehicles, especially electric scooters. Riders must be at least 15 years old and wear a helmet. At night or in reduced visibility, they must also carry a visible luminous or reflective item, with visibility specified at a minimum of 150 metres. People using scooters for work, including delivery riders, must wear reflective equipment continuously, as well as a helmet.
Scooters are restricted to authorized routes and cannot use pavements or prohibited high-speed interurban roads. The requirement for scooter lights to remain on during use is scheduled to take effect on October 1, 2027. Penalties depend on the offence: reports identify a €200 fine for riding at night or in reduced visibility without the required personal luminous or reflective item, while an Álava territorial penalty summary lists €45.08 for riding without scooter lights in those conditions. The €200 figure does not apply universally to every lighting breach.
New Demands for Cyclists and Motorcyclists
Cyclists face tighter safety requirements. The reform removes previous exemptions for helmet use on interurban roads, making helmets compulsory outside urban areas. Professional cyclists must also wear a helmet and reflective vest regardless of location.
Within cities, cyclists are encouraged to ride in the centre of their lane to increase visibility. Municipalities may allow two-way cycling on single-lane streets with a speed limit of 30 km/h or less, provided specific signage is installed. Motor vehicles following a bicycle or scooter in the same urban lane must leave at least five metres. The reported penalty for this offence is €200 and four licence points.
Motorcyclists must wear protective gloves on interurban roads and closed footwear on all roads. The listed penalty for each of these specified equipment offences is €200. The rules also allow motorcycles to use the right-hand shoulder during traffic jams, provided they do not exceed 30 km/h and use only marked stretches. From October 2027, moped helmets must meet full homologation requirements, beyond certification. A future ministerial order will set the technical standards for gloves.
Changes for Drivers, Taxis and Motorhomes
On interurban roads, drivers overtaking cyclists will have to slow to at least 20 km/h below the speed limit and, where possible, change lanes completely while maintaining a minimum lateral distance of 1.5 metres. Certain overtaking violations are reported as serious offences punishable by €200 without licence points. The five-metre following distance in urban areas is a separate rule, with its own reported penalty of €200 and four points.
The reform also introduces a so-called emergency lane. During traffic jams, vehicles must move aside to create a central corridor for police, ambulances and other emergency services.
Exemptions from seatbelt use for taxi drivers, goods vehicle drivers and driving instructors are abolished. They must now wear seatbelts at all times. Only certain ambulance personnel in urgent situations remain exempt.
Motorhomes are subject to clearer parking rules: no part of the vehicle may extend beyond its perimeter, it must rest solely on its tires, and it may not discharge fluids from the living area.
Implementation Timeline and Context
The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), led by director Pere Navarro, says most of the new regulations will come into force on October 1, 2026. Scooter lighting requirements are delayed until October 1, 2027. Moped helmet homologation is also scheduled for October 2027, while a future ministerial order will set the technical standards for motorcycle gloves.
The changes respond to developing urban mobility and the greater exposure of pedestrians, cyclists and personal-mobility-vehicle users to injury. The package also covers cycling practices, motorcycle protective equipment, overtaking and vehicle-following distances. Residents and visitors should note the different effective dates and offence-specific penalties as the rules are implemented.
