Spain’s new traffic rules from 1 October 2026

Whether you drive to the shops, cycle along the coast or explore Spain in your motorhome, changes to Spain’s traffic rules could affect your next journey.

From 1 October 2026, new measures will strengthen protection for cyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists and people using electric scooters. Most changes begin on that date, but some equipment requirements have transitional arrangements.

Here are the points most relevant to everyday life on the Costa Blanca—and a few distinctions worth knowing before you rely on a headline. The changes are set out in Royal Decree 518/2026, published in Spain’s Official State Gazette.

Passing cyclists:
slow down as well as giving space

When overtaking a cyclist outside built-up areas, you must reduce your speed to at least 20 km/h below the applicable road speed limit before starting the manoeuvre, and remain within that restriction throughout it.

For example, on a road limited to 90 km/h, you must overtake at 70 km/h or less. Conditions may require you to go slower—or wait until overtaking is safe.

The existing clearance requirements remain important:

• Leave at least 1.5 metres of lateral space when passing on a road with one lane in each direction.

• Where there is more than one lane in your direction, change lanes completely.

• Never put oncoming road users at risk.

The new speed restriction also covers other road users listed in the legislation, including pedestrians and moped riders. It is not simply an instruction to take 20 km/h off whatever speed you happen to be travelling at. Official rule: Article 85.4

In town:
leave room behind cyclists

When driving behind a cyclist in the same lane in an urban area, you must leave at least five metres.

Cyclists should preferably ride in the centre of their lane where safety allows. Seeing a cyclist away from the kerb does not necessarily mean they are riding incorrectly.

The five-metre requirement concerns following distance. It is not the lateral clearance required when overtaking. Official rule: Article 153

Passing a breakdown or roadside assistance vehicle

If a vehicle stopped because of a breakdown, accident or specified roadside work occupies all or part of your lane, you must:

• Leave at least 1.5 metres of clearance.

• Pass at least 20 km/h below the road’s speed limit.

The rule also covers specified emergency, maintenance and traffic-management activities. It does not mean you can apply the same manoeuvre to get past a queue of traffic.

If there is not enough room to pass safely, wait. Official rule: Article 88

Traffic jams:
make space for emergency vehicles

On autopistas and autovías, when congestion slows traffic to walking pace or brings it to a stop, drivers must position their vehicles to leave an emergency corridor.

The position depends on the number of lanes in your direction:

• Two lanes: leave the corridor between them.

• Three or more lanes: leave it between the far-left lane and the lane immediately beside it. Vehicles in the far-left lane move left; vehicles in all other lanes move right.

This space is for emergency access—not an extra lane for getting ahead of the queue. Official rule: Article 32

Riding a motorcycle or moped?
Check your equipment

For ordinary motorcycle and moped journeys, both the rider and passenger will need:

• Protective gloves on interurban roads.

• Closed footwear covering the whole foot on all roads, including in town.

The October glove requirement is separate from future technical specifications. Transitional arrangements allow protective gloves of the characteristics currently used until the relevant technical order takes effect.

Motorcycles must also carry a high-visibility vest. The driver must wear it when getting off and occupying an interurban carriageway or shoulder. Separate requirements apply to professional riders.

There is a specific exemption for qualifying vehicles with documented protective structures and seat belts. Official rules: Article 118, transitional provision 2 and final provision 2

The shoulder is not automatically open to motorcycles

Motorcycles may use the right shoulder only on specifically authorised and signed stretches, when traffic in the normal lanes is stopped by congestion.

The maximum speed is 30 km/h, riders must travel single file, and they must protect other shoulder users, leaving the shoulder if necessary.

A traffic jam alone does not give permission to use it. Official rule: Article 36.3

Cycling and electric scooters:
different rules apply

- If you cycle

Helmets are compulsory on interurban roads, with the previous exemptions removed. Children under 16 must wear a helmet on all roads. People who cycle professionally must also wear one on urban roads and travesías (roads passing through a built-up area).

This does not introduce a blanket helmet requirement for every adult leisure cyclist on every urban street. Wearing one remains a sensible safety choice. Official rule: Article 118.2

- If you use an electric scooter

For electric scooters classified as personal mobility vehicles, or VMP:

• Riders must be at least 15 years old.

• An approved or certified helmet must be worn and properly fastened.

• At night or in significantly reduced visibility, riders need a compliant luminous or reflective element visible from at least 150 metres.

That visibility requirement does not necessarily mean a vest for every private rider; professional riders have a separate vest obligation.

The requirement to use lights during the day takes effect on 1 October 2027. That is not permission to ride without appropriate lighting or visibility measures at night until then.

Check local rules and signs for permitted routes rather than assuming scooters can use every pavement, cycle path or road. Official rules: Articles 38, 118 and 155, and transitional provision 3

Travelling by motorhome:
parking is not camping

The revised rules specify that a parked motorhome or other vehicle adapted for living must:

• Keep its own elements within the vehicle’s footprint, without projecting awnings or similar extensions.

• Rest on its tyres, with safety chocks or wedges permitted.

• Not discharge fluids from the living area.

Contrary to some reports, safety chocks are not categorically banned.

These conditions do not give you permission to park or camp wherever you choose. Local restrictions and signs still matter. Official rule: Article 92.4

What should you check
before October?

Start with the rules that affect how you travel most often:

• Driving: review overtaking speeds, following distances and emergency-corridor positioning.

• Motorcycling: check equipment for yourself and your passenger.

• Cycling or using an e-scooter: check the helmet, age and visibility requirements that apply to you.

• Using a motorhome: check both your parking setup and local restrictions.

Not every measure starts at once. In addition to the daytime-lighting transition for VMP, the legislation provides a one-year transition for certified moped helmets. This is not a general postponement of motorcycle helmet requirements.

Save this guide and review the section relevant to your next journey.

3SGestion.es — Your anchor in Spain.

This article summarises selected changes, not every traffic rule or exception. Information reviewed on 17 September 2026. Follow current signs, instructions from the authorities and applicable local rules. Consult the official legislation and DGT’s explanation for further information

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