Latest news with #DGT
Local Spain
6 days ago
- Local Spain
5 essential reads if you need to do official processes online in Spain
Bureaucracy is something you'll have to get used to when you move to Spain as there are many forms you have to complete and paperwork to fill in for just about every admin process. You'll find though that many of these processes can be a lot easier if you can identify yourself officially online. You'll need this for everything from sending in your taxes to applying for a criminal record check and completing forms at the DGT (Traffic Office). There are several ways to identify yourself in this way – through the digital certificate, the cl@ve system and the Autofirma. How to get your digital certificate on your laptop: The digital certificate is a piece of software in Spain that you can download on your computer, allowing you to identify yourself during administrative processes. Find out in our step-by-step guide how to apply for your digital certificate and download it onto your computer. How to get your digital certificate on your mobile phone: Our next guide on the digital certificate, tells you how to download it onto your phone so that you can complete process and fill out documents while you're on the move as well. Be aware that you must have it on your computer first before you can get it on your phone. The Cl@ve system: Other than the digital certificates, one of the most popular ways to identify yourself online is to get a Cl@ve system. It's a digital signature system that allows you to do all kinds of official processes safely from the comfort of your home, and a way for the government to know it's actually you, as you won't be going into the office in person for them to identify you. Both the Cl@ve Pin and the permanent Cl@ve are fully integrated into the Cl@ve system and fulfil the same purposes. Here's our step-by-step guide on how to apply for the Cl@ve. Autofirma: Finally, there's one more way to identify yourself officially, which sometimes has to be used in conjunction with the digital certificate and or Cl@ve. This is Autofirma. This is again another piece of software that you have to download on your computer. It was created by Spain's Ministry of Finance and Public Administrations and has the same validity as the handwritten signature for documents online. Read our handy guide on how to install it and what you might need it for.
Local Spain
16-07-2025
- Automotive
- Local Spain
Police slam new compulsory V-16 emergency light for drivers in Spain
From January 1st, 2026, passenger vehicles in Spain will be required to use an emergency light in the event of a breakdown or road accident, however it has been met with much criticism. The General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) introduced the V-16 emergency light, first in 2021 and it is due to replace the warning triangle lights in 2026. It is designed to reduce the number of accidents caused by vehicles breaking down in the middle or on the side of roads, as well as reduce the number of drivers being run over while they're using the warning triangles. However, Spain's Unified Association of Civil Guard Police have criticised the effectiveness of these new lights already. They claim that they're not useful on roads with a high number of bends as oncoming drivers don't get the pre-warning that a triangle provides. Furthermore, they stress that the V-16 lights are not bright or visible enough during daytime hours, rendering them useless. In the past, Spanish Civil Guard officers have also spoken out on social media about the dangers of these lights. In a tweet from last year, the association said: "According to DGT studies, many drivers have died after being hit by vehicles due to getting out to put down the warning triangle, but they don't know how many accidents have been avoided by using it. The new little light is useless if the vehicle is at the top of a hill or after a sharp bend'. Guardia Civil officers argue that the V-16 lights may not fulfil their purpose in daylight hours due to their visibility not covering the full 360 degrees. This is because the mandatory intensity for these lights is between 40 and 80 candela (light intensity units), which must be has for at least 30 minutes. Therefore, they are not visible from a kilometre away during the day. Some manufacturers have been making V-16s with an intensity of up to 200 candela to counteract this. Unfortunately, this comes with another issue in that it may be harmful to the driver's eyesight if viewed for a long period of time. According to the DGT website, V-16 lights must be approved or certified and must also be connected to the DGT 3.0 GPS platform, which allows the exact location of a vehicle to be sent in real time. This connectivity is what's increased their cost to around €50, another grievance for drivers. The DGT website gives a list of V-16 light models which have already been approved. If you are buying a new car from a dealership in Spain, it's recommended that you request the V-16 emergency light to be included free of charge. Then again, you may want to wait a bit longer to find out if they have to be adapted to counteract their current shortcomings.
Local Spain
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Local Spain
How getting your motorbike licence in Spain changes in July
The changes to the Class A licences were announced by the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) several months ago, but are only just coming into force. The A licence permits unlimited motorcycle driving and is only available to those who have already held an A2 licence for at least two years. This is all in a bid to reduce motorcycle accidents, which is the main priority of the Interior Ministry's road safety policy. According to the latest stats 66 percent of motorcycle drivers are involved in road accidents and 34 percent in urban areas had an A licence. There are several changes which include the following: New practical training on proper roads Firstly, there will now be mandatory practical driving training on secondary roads. Three hours will now be on theory knowledge, two hours of practical on closed-circuit driving, and four hours of riding on roads open to general traffic. Mandatory monitoring of students The new regulations require motorcycle instructors to monitor students from another motorcycle during driving practice on open roads. Instructors will now have a maximum of three students. Up until now, this instructor could monitor students from a car. The use of airbag vests It will now be mandatory for both students and teachers to wear airbag vests. This now becomes an essential part of motorcyclists' equipment due to the fact that it protects critical areas of the chest. Driving schools will provide these vests at their centres for students. They will also be required to wear a reflective garment that identifies them as trainees. Optional online theory content The theory part of the test can now be delivered online through distance learning or a virtual classroom. The National Confederation of Driving Schools Publishing House has prepared an online course available to schools, including all in an interactive format. Motorcycle driver assistance systems (ARAS) Knowledge of motorcycle driver assistance systems, known as ARAS systems, will now be incorporated into the tests. These systems contribute to making motorcyclists' driving safer and reduce accidents. Safe and efficient driving courses The DGT has also said they will include further safe and efficient driving courses for both car and motorcycle drivers. It offers the option to take the courses to recover two points drivers have lost on their licences. Drivers can also improve their driving skills with a refresher course.
Ya Biladi
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Ya Biladi
Spain to ease driver's license validation for citizens of Moroccan origin
The Spanish government is preparing to introduce a new measure that will allow Spanish citizens of Moroccan origin, and their children, to obtain a driver's license without needing to return to Morocco. The mutual recognition of driver's licenses is one of the areas both countries are looking to revise to prevent misuse of the system. Until now, Spain's General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) only recognized Moroccan licenses if they were issued before the holder moved to Spain. This excluded many Moroccan-born Spaniards and their children, who often traveled to Morocco just to obtain a license and then use it in Spain. Under the new system, the license validation process will be carried out entirely online through the DGT's digital platform, eliminating the need for in-person appointments. Before approval, Moroccan authorities will still need to verify the authenticity of the license. Once that confirmation is received from Rabat, the Spanish validation can be completed within hours. The aim is to speed up what has traditionally been a slow and complicated process while closing gaps that could be exploited for fraud. It's also worth noting that Moroccan nationals visiting Spain temporarily can drive without validating their licenses, as long as their stay doesn't exceed the legal limit. However, if authorities determine that a driver is actually living in Spain without having regularized their status, they may face a fine of €500.
Local Spain
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Local Spain
Driving in Spain: The new road signs from July 2025
Spain has made the decision to modernise some of its road and traffic signs to adapt to new forms of mobility, such as electric scooters and low-emission vehicles, as well as improve understanding and safety on the roads. The new catalogue of traffic signs approved by the Spanish Cabinet will come into force on July 1st, meaning you could start to see new ones on roads from next month. Local authorities have until July 2026, however, to remove old signs, so it may be a while yet. Spain's General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has given five clear reasons why it deems it necessary to change these signs. New means of transport - The emergence of personal mobility vehicles (MVPs) such as scooters and electric bicycles, requires specific regulations. Technology and sustainability - The proliferation of electric and low-emission zones require adapted signs. Clarity and road safety - Some old signs caused confusion or had outdated pictograms. Gender perspective - Stereotypes are eliminated in several signs. International harmonisation - Spain wants to align itself with the Vienna Convention on road signs. The new catalogue of traffic signs incorporates a series of new symbols created to respond to the new realities and mobility needs posed by a constantly evolving society. As well as new signs the DGT have replaced some of the old signs with new ones. For example, the P-21 sign warns drivers that there may be children playing close by. These are typically placed near schools, nurseries and playgrounds. The only difference to the current sign is that now the brother is younger and the sister is older, rather than the other way around. The DGT has released two infographics showing some of the new signs, as well as which have been updated. New Signs The first new sign on the top left with the two people in the red triangle means is a sign to warn drivers of their proximity to nursing homes. The one next to this, known as the p-22 shows a man riding a bicycle in a red triangle. This is to warn drivers of the presence of cycle lanes. The next one down on the right hand side (R412b) with a car tyre and a block of ice indicates that you should not continue driving without special winter tires. On the left next to this is sign R-420 – an electric scooter in a blue circle. It means that drivers of bicycles and personal mobility vehicles must use the road at the entrance they are located. It also prohibits other road users from using it. Under this on the left is a blue square with an electric scooter and a bicycle on one side and a pedestrian on the other. This is S-43 which indicates the existence of a road designated for the circulation of bicycles, MVPs, and pedestrians, with differentiated space between the first two and third. The design of the sign may be adapted to the actual space conditions on each road. Next to this on the left is a blue box with a car, a cyclist and two pedestrians, plus the number 20 in a red circle. This is S-47 which indicates a traffic zone intended primarily for pedestrians. The maximum speed limit for all vehicles and cyclists here is 20km. Where applicable, personal mobility vehicles may travel in both directions, unless otherwise established. Vehicles may park only in places designated by signs or markings; games and sports are not permitted. The signs at the bottom indicate electric charging stations for vehicles, as well as LPG and hydrogen points. The DGT has also re-designed some of the old signs to update them. The top sign – the P-8, warns drivers of a level crossing at a train track without barriers. It is already in use, but it is being replaced with a new one showing modern electric train rather than the old steam train. The second one is an updated version of a sign that warns of the danger due to a section of the road with a steep upward or downward slope, the new signs now including an arrow to clarify which is which. Sign P-33, the third sign down on the infographic warns drivers about dangers due to reduced visibility in the area. This could be because of fog, rain, snow or smoke. It now shows a car half covered by black lines instead of just a few black dots, in order to make it clearer. Below that is the updated road sign which signals no entry to mopeds and lastly the new version of the road sign which prohibits entry to agricultural motor vehicles.
