Changes to the Motoring Laws

New Spanish motoring regulations begin on Wednesday 25th

New Spanish road traffic regulations come into play today, which reduce the number of cases which can lead to a driver losing points on a license, as part of the new Traffic Law which was approved by Congress last month.( Unlike UK Licenses, Spanish Licenses start with 12 Points and have points deducted as opposed to added ). Only the amendments which are intended to benefit the driver take effect this week, and the other changes will take effect at a later date.

These “favorable” changes include the removal of seven issues from the list of points-related offences, although at this stage it is believed that each infraction will still carry a fine. These offences range from driving without lights; parking in a bus lane or on a bend and negligent driving when it could result in danger to other traffic or pedestrians. Another offence removed from the list includes that of driving on a motorway in a forbidden vehicle or with more occupants than is permitted.

As for speeding, points will now only be deducted for motorway driving at speeds in excess of 130 kph, which means good news for Cataluña – as the limit on some motorways is just 80kph, which would have previously meant the loss of points.

Other notable benefits are that those who have appealed against losing points for any of the 7 infractions and have yet to receive an answer will automatically keep those points. The DGT Central Traffic Authority must now archive all such cases due to this change in the law.

The penalty of the temporary loss of a license can no longer be issued to offenders. Now a license may now only be revoked when all of the points have been deducted. Other changes, such as the 50% reduction for on-the-spot payment of a fine and the deduction of 6 points for using radar inhibitors, should take effect within the next 6 Months.