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General Traffic Regulation, 2026 reform

The Spanish traffic rules that changed on October 1, 2026

Since October 1, 2026, drivers in a motorway queue must open an emergency lane, and a cyclist is overtaken at least 20 km/h under the road’s limit.

Those are two of the changes in Royal Decree 518/2026, published in the BOE on June 26, 2026. It amends the General Traffic Regulation (Reglamento General de Circulación) at 26 points and adds a new title of 8 articles with the rules for bicycles, e-scooters and pedestrians in town. Every change that concerns a driver is below, with its article.

What the Regulation says now

Each rule is summarised from the text published in the BOE, with the article where you can read it in full. “New” marks what the decree itself presents as a novelty; the rest are articles the decree rewrote.

If you drive a car

The emergency lane in a queueNew
On a motorway or autovía, when a queue slows traffic to walking pace or stops it, drivers must move aside to leave a clear corridor for priority vehicles. With two lanes each way it opens in the middle, between the two. With three or more, it opens between the left-hand lane and the one beside it: the left lane keeps as far left as it can and every other lane as far right.
Where it is: RGC, arts. 32.1 y 69
Snow on a motorway or autovíaNew
When snow makes driving difficult, overtaking is banned and you keep to the right-hand lane, or the one beside it too where there are three or more each way. The lanes to the left stay clear for emergency vehicles and snowploughs.
Where it is: RGC, art. 32.2
Overtaking cyclists, mopeds, e-scooters and pedestriansNew
Leave a gap of at least 1.5 metres, using part or all of the next lane or the oncoming one. Where the carriageway has more than one lane each way, a full lane change is compulsory. Outside built-up areas you must also overtake at least 20 km/h under the road’s limit, from before the manoeuvre starts until it ends. A group of cyclists counts as a single unit.
Where it is: RGC, art. 85.4
Passing a stationary vehicle
If a broken-down or crashed vehicle, or an emergency, breakdown or maintenance vehicle at work, is occupying your lane, pass it leaving at least 1.5 metres, even if that means using the oncoming side, and at least 20 km/h under the road’s limit.
Where it is: RGC, art. 88.1
The gap behind a bicycle in townNew
On urban roads, the driver of a motor vehicle keeps at least 5 metres from a cyclist ahead in the same lane.
Where it is: RGC, art. 153.4
When a cyclist has priority
When they are on a signed cycle lane, cycle crossing or hard shoulder; when you turn right or left into another road and a cyclist is close by; and when they ride in a group and the first rider has already begun to cross or has entered the roundabout.
Where it is: RGC, art. 64.2
When a pedestrian has priority
On signed pedestrian crossings, pavements and other pedestrian areas; when you turn into another road and pedestrians are crossing it, even without a crossing; when you cross a hard shoulder they are walking on; when they are getting on or off a bus at a signed stop; and for school groups and organised processions.
Where it is: RGC, art. 65.1
No overtaking at crossings and cycle-track junctions
Overtaking is banned at signed pedestrian crossings, at junctions with cycle tracks and at level crossings, and close to any of them.
Where it is: RGC, art. 87.1.b)
A flashing amber light
It obliges you to take extreme care and, where it applies, to give way. It does not release you from other signals that require you to stop.
Where it is: RGC, anexo I, 4.2.d)
Phones, headphones and radar detectors
Driving while using a mobile phone or wearing headphones is banned. You may talk hands-free without headphones, and on a motorcycle or moped use a certified or approved wireless device built into the helmet, only for intercom or navigation. Radar jammers and radar detectors may not be carried; devices that only tell you where the controls are located are allowed.
Where it is: RGC, art. 18.2 y 18.3

On a motorcycle or moped

Helmet, gloves and footwear on a motorcycle or mopedNew
Rider and passenger wear an approved, fastened helmet on every road, protective gloves on interurban roads, and closed footwear that covers the whole foot on every road. On a moped a certified helmet is accepted until October 1, 2027. A motorcyclist puts on the reflective vest when getting off the vehicle onto the carriageway or hard shoulder of an interurban road.
Where it is: RGC, art. 118.1 y 118.4; disposición transitoria primera
Motorcycles on the hard shoulder in a queueNew
Only on stretches signed for it, and only while the lanes are at a standstill because of congestion: at 30 km/h at most, in single file, and without endangering those who have to use the shoulder.
Where it is: RGC, art. 36.3

On a bicycle

Bicycles in townNew
They ride on the carriageway, preferably in the middle of the lane, and not on the pavement; a local by-law may allow it for children up to 12 years old with an adult on foot. They may overtake on the right or the left and pass vehicles stopped at a traffic light or in a queue to reach the advanced stop zone. On one-lane streets limited to 30 km/h or less, the council may sign two-way cycling.
Where it is: RGC, arts. 152.1 y 153
The cyclist’s helmet and lightsNew
A helmet is compulsory on interurban roads, for anyone under 16 on every road and, in town, for those who cycle for work. At night or in poor visibility on an interurban road, cyclists must carry a light or reflective item visible from 150 metres.
Where it is: RGC, art. 118.2

On an e-scooter

E-scooters and other personal mobility vehiclesNew
A minimum age of 15, a helmet always and never on the pavement. They may not use motorways, autovías or roads through towns (travesías). Nor may they use interurban roads or urban tunnels, except on cycle tracks and roads closed to motor vehicles where the signs do not forbid it. Manoeuvres are signalled with the arm. At night or in poor visibility the rider carries a light or reflective item visible from 150 metres. The lights are always on, and by day that is enforceable from October 1, 2027.
Where it is: RGC, arts. 38.4, 118.3 y 155; disposición transitoria tercera

On foot

On foot along a road and at roundabouts
Where there is no pedestrian area, walk on the left-hand shoulder, or on the carriageway if there is none, as far from the vehicles as possible. At night or in poor visibility on an interurban road, carry a light or reflective item visible from 150 metres. Roundabouts are not crossed over the carriageway: you go round, unless there is a pedestrian crossing.
Where it is: RGC, arts. 122.1, 123.1 y 124.4

If you are studying for the theory test

These are the rules in force since October 1, 2026. Notes, manuals and practice tests from before that date carry the old wording of these articles, so check each rule against the BOE text. This page summarises; it does not replace the Regulation.

Questions about the reform

When did Spain’s new traffic rules take effect?
On October 1, 2026. Royal Decree 518/2026 was published in the BOE on June 26, 2026 and set that date. Two deadlines run longer: a certified moped helmet is accepted until October 1, 2027, and daytime lights on e-scooters become enforceable from that same date.
What is the emergency lane, and how is it formed?
It is the corridor drivers leave clear on a motorway or autovía when a queue slows them to walking pace or stops them, so that priority vehicles can get through. With two lanes each way it opens in the middle. With three or more, it opens between the left-hand lane and the one beside it: the left lane moves left and every other lane moves right.
How do you overtake a cyclist in Spain now?
Leaving at least 1.5 metres and using part or all of the next lane or the oncoming one; where there is more than one lane each way, by changing lane completely. Outside built-up areas you must also stay at least 20 km/h under the road’s limit for the whole manoeuvre. In town, keep 5 metres behind a bicycle.
What changed for e-scooters?
There is a minimum age, 15, and a helmet is compulsory. They may not ride on the pavement, nor on motorways, autovías or roads through towns; nor on interurban roads or in urban tunnels, except on cycle tracks where the signs do not forbid it. The lights stay on at all times.

Sources

The decree and the Regulation it amends, as the BOE publishes them, read on November 14, 2026.

A summary for information: the text that counts is the BOE’s. ViaReady is independent of the DGT.

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