New E-scooter Rules On The Cards: Registration, Speed Limits, Helmets, And Insurance For 2026

Big changes are coming successful for riders of electrical scooters successful Spain arsenic nan DGT (Directorate-General of Traffic) has had their caller regulations ratified by Congress.

The measure, which is meant to amended roadworthy information and capable a ineligible achromatic hole, is successful statement pinch group European Union standards and targets each Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) for illustration electrical scooters and immoderate electrical bikes but does not widen to accepted bicycles.

The caller long-awaited rule is successful consequence to nan accelerated emergence of electrical scooters, which person transformed municipality mobility radically successful Spanish towns and cities. Approved done an amendment to nan Automobile Insurance Act, nan rule demands that electrical scooter owners get liability insurance to screen third-party damages truthful that mishap victims are not near unprotected, thing that until now was a communal rumor erstwhile insolvent riders caused accidents without coverage.

E-scooters request to beryllium registered pinch authorities

Not only this, but e-scooters must beryllium enrolled successful an charismatic DGT registry, a process expected to impact submitting conveyance specifications for illustration make, model, and serial number, though nonstop procedures and costs are yet to beryllium finalised. Scooters sold aft January 22, 2024, must already person a VMP certificate verifying compliance pinch information standards (e.g., braking systems, lights, and a 25 km/h velocity cap), while those purchased earlier tin beryllium utilized until January 22, 2027, but must beryllium registered by January 2026.

Only slow e-scooters to beryllium permitted nether caller rules

To further amended safety, nan rule puts a headdress connected scooter speeds astatine 14 km/h, addressing concerns astir high-speed riding. The DGT is besides considering visible identification, specified arsenic licence plates, to thief successful accountability, though this is not yet confirmed. The betterment is on nan aforesaid lines arsenic what has already happened successful Spain pinch countries for illustration France and Germany, wherever akin rules apply, transforming scooters from unregulated vehicles to ones pinch clear obligations for safer roadworthy and pedestrian coexistence.

Get a motorcycle – nan only solution to caller e-scooter rules

In contrast, accepted bicycles and pedelecs (e-bikes pinch pedal assistance up to 25 km/h) will stay exempt from these requirements. While immoderate e-bikes classified arsenic L1e-A (powered cycles up to 25 km/h and 1000 W) whitethorn autumn nether PMV rules, astir e-bikes are treated arsenic regular bicycles nether Spanish and EU rule truthful acold and request nary security aliases registration. Cyclists must proceed pursuing existing DGT rules, specified arsenic helmet usage for riders nether 16 aliases extracurricular municipality areas, lights astatine night, adherence to rhythm lanes, and nary drink-driving. Local bylaws, for illustration Barcelona’s voluntary motorcycle registry, whitethorn apply, but nary caller nationalist bicycle-specific laws are included successful this regulation.

For updates connected e-bikes perchance affected by PMV rules, owners should cheque www.dgt.es person to nan 2026 deadline.