DGT introduces fines up to €1,000 for electric scooter riders with no insurance
Spain’s traffic authority, the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico), has announced new regulations that will affect millions of electric scooter users from 2nd January 2026, introducing mandatory insurance and registration requirements, with fines of up to €1,000 for non-compliance.
The reform of Spain’s motor insurance law, in force since July 2025, aims to unify safety and liability standards for personal mobility vehicles (VMPs), such as electric scooters, which are now officially recognised as a new category of “light personal vehicles.”
From January 2026, all owners must:
- Obtain civil liability insurance covering third-party damages.
- Register their scooter with the DGT.
- Display a registration sticker showing the official number.
- Hold a certificate of circulation confirming compliance with safety standards.
Failure to meet these conditions will result in fines ranging from €200 to €1,000.
The DGT is currently developing the new registry, which must be operational before the law takes effect. Officials confirmed that registration will be the responsibility of the owner, not the retailer, and that the process is intended to be as simple as possible.
Insurance and safety requirements
Insurers must guarantee a minimum coverage of €6.45 million for personal injuries (regardless of the number of victims) and €1.3 million for property damage per incident.
The updated law defines light personal vehicles as single-seat, motorised vehicles with one or more wheels, weighing up to 25kg and reaching speeds between 6 and 25 km/h. If the vehicle exceeds 25kg, the maximum permitted speed drops to 14 km/h. Seats are only allowed if the scooter includes a self-balancing system.
Rising accident rates
The new measures come amid a sharp increase in electric scooter accidents. DGT data from 2023 recorded 10 fatalities, 341 hospitalisations, and over 5,000 minor injuries in incidents involving VMPs. Around 15% of these accidents involved collisions with pedestrians.
Several Spanish cities, including Madrid and Barcelona, have already banned scooters from public transport due to the risks associated with lithium batteries.
By January 2027, only scooters meeting DGT’s 2022 technical standards will be allowed to circulate, including a maximum speed of 25 km/h, dual brakes, anti-tampering systems, lights, reflectors, and improved stability and safety features.
The DGT says the goal is to create a clear, safe, and consistent framework for all personal mobility vehicles on Spanish roads.
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