Spain to Mandate Universal Urban Seatbelt Use, Enforce Key Traffic Reforms by 2026
Major Road Safety and Driving Regulations Set for Full Implementation
The seatbelt stands as a paramount safety feature in vehicles. Its use is credited with saving numerous lives and remains mandatory for all occupants on both urban and interurban roads.
While specific exceptions currently exist, those pertaining to urban seatbelt use will cease with the arrival of 2026.
Se acabaron las excepciones en la ciudad para usar el cinturón en estos colectivos.
Universal Urban Seatbelt Mandate
Until now, certain professional drivers in urban areas were exempt from seatbelt use. This included taxi drivers, delivery personnel, and driving instructors during their work.
Effective January 1, 2026, urban seatbelt use becomes universally mandatory, bringing these professional groups under the same regulations as all other drivers.
Significant changes are also slated for Spain’s driving license acquisition process starting in 2026, particularly affecting the theoretical examination and preparation methods.
Así debemos actuar en emergencias durante atascos, ya de forma legal a partir del 2026.
V16 Beacons and Other 2026 Updates
Beyond these changes, the V16 beacon will become mandatory for vehicles, replacing traditional emergency triangles for signaling breakdowns or incidents on roads. This device must also feature geolocation capabilities integrated with DGT 3.0.
The V16 beacon has been a central point of debate in Spanish road safety discussions in recent months. The Director of the DGT has repeatedly addressed public concerns, particularly regarding its use in conjunction with, or as a replacement for, safety triangles.
Further regulations, some of which were previously common practice or informally understood, will be officially and strictly enforced in Spain starting in 2026.
La baliza V16 es una de las grandes medidas de seguridad vial en España de cara al año 2026.
One such rule mandates drivers to form a central emergency lane during traffic jams on motorways and expressways. This requires vehicles in the right lane to move to the right, and those in the left lane to move to the left.
While previously a widely known recommendation, the General Traffic Regulations will explicitly introduce this legal obligation from 2026. Non-compliance could incur fines, though specific penalties are yet to be defined.
Another new regulation dictates that when encountering an immobilized vehicle partially obstructing a lane, drivers must overtake it at a speed 20 km/h below the road’s maximum limit, while maintaining a lateral separation of 1.5 meters.
Finally, Low Emission Zones (ZBEs), legally mandated since 2021, will see full enforcement beginning in 2026. Following several moratoria and a grace period for municipalities with over 50,000 inhabitants to progressively implement these zones, 2026 marks the legal establishment of operational restrictions and penalties.
Source: Europa Press
