Prohibit to go by motorbike in flip-flops and new rules for overtaking cyclists: this is how DGT rules change

Starting from October 1, 2026, the following will come into effect several modifications to the General Traffic Regulations which aim to improve safety and pacify coexistence between cyclists, scooters, and motor vehicles to reduce accidents and incidents on the Spanish road network.A significant portion of the modifications to the General Road Traffic Regulations affect the mandatory use of seat belts in all circumstances, also affecting taxi drivers, delivery drivers, or driving instructors, among others. The changes will also impact drivers who use radar jammers and detectors (a fine of 200 euros and loss of 6 points on their license) or those who use headphones while driving (punishable with 200 euros and 3 points). Controversial changes for cyclists

The first major change proposed by the text modification concerns the use of helmets by cyclists, which will now be mandatory in all cases, even on prolonged ascents or in hot weather conditions with high sun exposure. Failure to comply with this obligation will result in a fine of 200 euros and will be sanctioned as a serious offense. The regulatory modifications collected in the BOE of last July 6 go further and include other new features such as allowing cyclists to ride in the center of the lane on urban roads, that is, within cities or towns. The DGT considers that in this way cyclists improve visibility at corners and intersections and will avoid overtaking cyclists on single-lane roads, thus reducing a significant factor of danger. In addition, the modification of the regulation establishes that motor vehicles must maintain a rear distance of at least five meters to avoid accidents and collisions with cyclists in urban environments.Regarding circulation on interurban roads, the amendments to the regulations toughen the conditions for overtaking cyclists. Now, cars or motor vehicles that wish to overtake one or more cyclists will have to do so by reducing their speed by at least 20 km/h below the legal speed limit of the road, and the rule of a lateral distance of 1.5 meters disappears. When there is more than one lane per direction of circulation, it will be necessary to completely invade the opposite lane to carry out the overtaking. The penalty for non-compliance with this new regulation will be 200 euros and 4 points on the driving license, and it has already drawn strong criticism from many drivers, who consider that completely invading the opposite lane and doing so at a reduced speed increases the risk of a head-on collision with other vehicles traveling on the conventional road.Scooters and motorcyclists

The regulatory modifications also affect electric scooters and other personal mobility vehicles (VMPs) which, from now on, will only be usable by those over 15 years of age, with mandatory use of a helmet and approved lighting and reflective elements. Failure or non-compliance with any of these points will be punishable by a fine of 200 euros by the competent administration. From October 2027, scooters and VMPs will also be required to have a lighting system that operates 24 hours a day.Finally, the modifications to the General Traffic Regulations also affect motorcyclists, who from now on will have to wear gloves mandatorily on their interurban journeys and wear closed footwear on any type of road. This point also affects moped users who in cities like Barcelona often ride with flip-flops or sandals during the summer months. From 2027, the obligation to use a DGT-approved helmet will also come into force, with sanctions of 200 euros and 4 points on the license in case of not wearing a properly approved helmet.Bicycle

• From now on, riders or delivery peoplewill have to wear a helmet and a reflective vest. If not, it will be considered a serious offense with a fine of 200 euros.
• The exceptions for helmet use by all cyclists on interurban roads, i.e., on trips between cities, are suppressed.
• When a car overtakes a bicycle, it must reduce its speed by 20 km/h with respect to what is set for the road, and if there are two lanes, it must change lanes completely to give it more space.
• Cyclists will preferably ride in the center of the lane.

Scooters

• The minimum age to drive a scooter (or personal mobility device) will be 15 years old.
• The helmet and the reflective vest will be mandatory in areas of poor visibility. Professionals dedicated to distribution must always wear them. Otherwise, the fine will be 200 euros.
• They will have to bring lights.

Motorcycles

• The use of protective gloves will be mandatory for drivers and passengers on inter-city journeys, as well as closed footwear on all types of roads. In other words, you will not be able to drive in flip-flops. The fine will be 200 euros.
• Helmets must be approved and not just registered.
• Circulation will be permitted on the right shoulder of the road as long as speeds do not exceed 30 km per hour in case of traffic congestion.
• As in the case of riders on bikes and scooters, they will also have to wear a reflective vest.

Taxi drivers

• From now on, they will also be obliged to wear a seatbelt. There are no more exceptions.

Other changes

• When it snows, you will only be able to drive in the right lane and overtaking will be prohibited. The left lane will be kept clear for emergency vehicles.
• On pedestrian crossings with traffic lights, the intermittent orange light will not be able to coincide with the green light for pedestrians to cross. A measure that particularly affects cities like Barcelona.