Spain’s DGT Enforces Stricter Safety Rules and Fines for Electric Scooters

Spain’s General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) is stepping up its oversight of Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs), such as electric scooters. As these vehicles become a common sight in Spanish cities, the DGT is enforcing stricter safety rules to reduce accidents, with fines for violations reaching up to 1,000 euros.

Under the current rules, PMVs—defined as electric vehicles with one or more wheels and a single seat that travel between 6 and 25 km/h—are strictly prohibited from sidewalks, pedestrian areas, tunnels, and highways. Riders are also held to the same standards as car drivers regarding alcohol and drug use; testing positive can result in fines of 500 to 1,000 euros and the seizure of the vehicle.

The DGT has also introduced new administrative and safety requirements. Since January, all PMVs must be registered in the National Vehicle Registry. Riders face fines between 250 and 800 euros for lacking proper insurance, and up to 610 euros for failing to meet civil liability requirements.

Safety equipment is also mandatory. Using headphones or mobile devices while riding is banned, and failing to have a bell, working brakes, lights, or reflectors will result in a 200-euro fine. The same penalty applies if a rider fails to wear a helmet where local laws require one.

To prevent accidents and technical failures, the DGT urges riders to regularly inspect their tires, brakes, and battery health. The agency specifically warns of fire risks associated with lithium batteries, advising owners not to charge them overnight or in damp conditions, and to clean the devices carefully to avoid damaging electrical components.

These measures are part of a broader effort to integrate electric scooters into the road network, ensuring they are treated with the same level of responsibility as other vehicles to keep public spaces safe for everyone.