Spain prepares to launch a new driving licence in 2024
The new Spanish licence will be similar to the one used in the United States
News that the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) is planning to change driving licences in Spain in 2024 has sparked panic among drivers, who were worried that the changes would mean they had to take another driving test. But fear not, as DGT head Pere Navarro has confirmed that the new licence will have no impact whatsoever on those who already have their Spanish driving licence.
So, what are these big changes?
The changes will affect motorists under the age of 18. At the moment, minors can’t drive regular cars and can only take the theory exam six months before turning 18.
From next year, however, these young drivers will be able to apply for B1 licences and people over the age of 16 will be permitted to drive vehicles that don’t exceed 60 kilometres per hour.
The DGT believes that the new licence is an important step in promoting safe and responsible driving since in theory, youngsters will have plenty of on-road experience by the time they hit 18. This new law is new to Spain and could be compared to the example of the United States, since minors in North America can drive vehicles as long as they are supervised by an adult.
What vehicles will 16 year olds be allowed to drive?
The 60-kilometre-per-hour limit means that youngsters will be confined to driving various types of quadricycles and quads, which is also good news for the environment since most of these vehicles already on the market are electric and have zero emissions.
It goes without saying that the law prohibits drivers from modifying the vehicle’s engine in any way.
With the new licence just around the corner, car manufacturers are already developing vehicles which are DGT-compliant. Citroën, for example, has already developed its AMI model, which can be purchased new in Spain for around 7,000 euros.
Find all the latest motoring and travel news here or join our Driving in Spain Facebook group for regular updates
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