The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) is preparing a series of regulatory changes for 2025 that will impact all drivers in Spain. These changes, aimed at reducing road accidents, range from a drastic reduction in the permitted blood alcohol level to new requirements for motorcyclists and users of personal mobility vehicles. Below, we explain the most important changes.
1. Reduction of the BAC rate: “zero tolerance” at the wheel
The DGT will establish a new single BAC of 0.20 grams per liter of blood (0.10 mg/l in exhaled air), a significant change from the current limit of 0.50 (0.25 mg/l). This adjustment, supported by the European Commission and victims’ associations, seeks to eliminate the perception that “moderate consumption is acceptable”.
Main impact:
- It will not be possible to consume alcohol before driving without exceeding the permitted limit.
- Pere Navarro, director general of the DGT, stressed that this change is equivalent to a “zero tolerance” policy.
2. Mandatory use of full-face helmets for motorcyclists
Motorcycle drivers and passengers are required to wear a full-face or modular helmet on interurban roads. In addition, they must wear protective gloves and closed footwear on any type of road, in order to minimize serious injuries.
Other measures for motorcyclists:
- Mandatory courses for new motorcyclists: B license holders who want to drive motorcycles must take a specific training course.
- Permission to ride on roadsides: Motorcycles may ride on roadsides in case of traffic congestion, separating from the general flow of vehicles.
3. Stricter regulations for electric scooters
Users of personal mobility vehicles, such as electric scooters, must comply with the following rules:
- Mandatory use of helmets.
- Prohibition of driving under 16 years of age.
- Impossibility of riding on sidewalks and interurban roads (except bike lanes).
- Mandatory registration in an official vehicle registry.
4. Prohibition of notices about police controls
The reform of the traffic law will include the prohibition of disseminating information on alcohol and drug controls through platforms such as WhatsApp or social networks. This measure seeks to penalize those who alert of controls, qualifying them as “dangerous and unsupportive” behaviors.
Keys to the standard:
- Responsibility shall be borne by the natural person who disseminates the content.
- Penalties for these behaviors will be toughened.
5. Possible withdrawal of the license of persons with alcohol addiction.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the DGT is studying the withdrawal of driving licenses for people diagnosed with alcohol addictions.
- License recovery: It will be possible only after completing a rehabilitation treatment.
6. New safe driving courses
Mandatory courses on efficient and safe driving will be implemented, aimed at both motorcyclists and other groups of drivers. These courses will be designed to reinforce road safety and reduce the environmental impact of traffic.
Conclusion: a step towards safer roads
The DGT’s new measures for 2025 seek to transform driving habits in Spain, with a focus on sustainability and accident reduction. All drivers will have to adapt to these changes, which, although strict, promise to contribute to safer mobility for all.
