From today, October 1, 2026, there are major reforms to the traffic regulations that affect everyone on the road and contraventions carry heavy fines.
Here is a resume of the new regulations:
Up to now taxi drivers, delivery drivers and driving school instructors have been able to circulate in certain circumstances without a seatbelt. This exception disappears and the only exception is ambulance drivers under certain circumstances.
DISTANCE AND SPEED WHEN OVERTAKING CYCLISTS
Under the new regs when overtaking a cyclist, pedestrian, scooter or mobility vehicle outside the town drivers must reduce their speed to 20kph and maintain a lateral distance of 1.5 metres.
On roads with more than one lane in each direction it is not enough to move inside the same lane, it is obligatory to change lane completely to complete the manouvre.
CENTRE OF LANE AND SAFETY DISTANCE FOR CYCLISTS
Cyclists are the protaganists of the new regulations. In urban areas they have the right to circulate in the centre of the lane and vehicles must keep a distande of 5 metres to pass them in the town. Helmets are obligatory for cyclists and reflactive jackets are obligatory for delivery cyclists.
MINIMUM AGE AND OBLIGATORY HELMET FOR ELECTRIC SCOOTERS
Users of electric scooters and other personal mobility vehicles face changes. A minimum age of 15 years is established for circulating on the road and a helmet is obligatory.
Also reinforced are the requirements for lighting and reflective elements throughout 24 hours but the obligation does not enter into force until 2027.
GLOVES AND SHOES OBLIGATORY FOR MOTORCYLISTS
It is obligatory from today to wear protective gloves and shoes (not sandals and open type shoes) although the requirement for «regulation gloves» is pending.
Motorcylists are allowed to circulate for the right hard shoulder or inside lane during traffic jams if this permission is signposted and speed restricted to 30kph
HEADPHONES ARE PROHIBITED AND RADAR INHIBITORS
Using headphones is prohibited when driving as are radar detectors. Using them now carries a fine.
NEW LANE FOR EMERGENCIES
The new norm obñiges drivers to open a centre passage for emergency vehicles by displacing to the sides of the lane they are in. (See previous Nexnr entry).
Fines for offences (and points)
Not respecting the overtaking distance for cylcists 200 euros and 4 points
No seat belt 200 euros and 4 points
Using a radar detector 200 euros and 3 points
Not obeying the norms for cyclists or PMV 200 euros
