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Personal mobility is really taking hold in Spain. Electric scooters are an increasingly common sight in Spanish cities and towns. From the start of 2021 new rules will govern the use of these scooters. Previously each region set its own rules, but now the DGT (Spain’s national traffic authority) has set new rules for the whole of the country.
- Personal mobility vehicles such as electric scooters are now officially considered vehicles across Spain and their riders are obliged to comply with national traffic laws in the same way drivers of cars or motorbikes do. Vehicles for people with reduced mobility are not included in this group.
- They can no longer be used on pavements. Riders caught doing so will be fined by the police.
- They CANNOT be used on intercity roads, motorways, highways, bypasses or city tunnels.
- Only one person is allowed on a scooter at any one time. Fines of 100€ will be issued to those breaking this rule.
- The use of earphones whilst on a scooter is prohibited. Offenders will face fines of 200€.
- Riders can also be fined for using their mobile phone or driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. These “distractions” are the most common causes of fatal accidents involving e-scooters or similar in Spain, and offenders face fines of 200€.
- E-scooter owners must have a circulation certificate provided by the manufacturer but they will not need a government registration number as previously considered.
- At night, riders must have white lights at the front and red lights at the back of their scooter, like cyclists.
- Riders are advised to wear a reflective vest and have insurance, although for the moment this isn’t mandatory. There is no law stating that helmet usage is obligatory either, although this is expected to be introduced in due course.
- Parents of offenders under the age of 18 will be held legally responsible for their actions and their fines.
There were over 300 accidents in 2018 caused by personal mobility scooters, with 5 of them fatal. These new regulations are designed to prevent such accidents.
