UK tourists driving in Spain will have to abide by new road rules coming into force in 2025. Spain’s Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has announced some big amendments to traffic laws.
The rule changes, which will apply across Spain, impact how drivers use hard shoulders and central lanes on motorways and dual carriageways. It’s hoped that the new regulations will improve road safety during traffic jams and bad weather and improve access for emergency service vehicles.
From January 2025, motorists will only be allowed to drive in the right lane during snowy or icy conditions and overtaking will not be allowed. This is intended to free up the left lane for snow ploughs, tow trucks and emergency vehicles.
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A second amendment to the rules stipulates that a central corridor must be left between the two lanes of high-capacity roads during heavy traffic to leave a passage for emergency vehicles. In practice, that means that when traffic is at a stand-still, drivers must must into the far-left or far-right lanes, leaving the central one free.
In addition, motorcyclists will now be allowed to use the right-hand shoulder of the road in the event of a traffic jam or hold-up. However, they won’t be able to exceed 30km/h while doing so and must give priority to vehicles that are required to use the hard shoulder like bicycles.
The General Traffic Regulations in Spain have also been updated to clarify which vehicles are permitted to use the hard shoulder. The include animal-drawn vehicles, special vehicles with a maximum authorised mass below 3,500kg, bicycles, mopeds and vehicles for people with reduced mobility.
These vehicles can use the right-hand shoulder in the event that there is no other road area specifically designated for them.
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