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Clarity and road safety - Some old signs caused confusion or had outdated pictograms.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.
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Local Spain
13 hours ago
- 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.
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In Spain you may have to learn to drive a manual car In Spain, you'll most likely have to learn how to drive a manual car, or stick shift as it's known in the US. It's very rare to take a test on a stick shift in the States, but in Spain you'll find that the majority of vehicles are like this, particularly at driving schools. If you take your exam in an automatic car in Spain, however, you will only be licenced to drive that particular type of car. The driving test Generally the practical driving test in the US is considered a lot easier than Spain and therefore more straightforward to pass. However, you'll still tested on aspects like driving up to an intersection, reversing, three-point turns, left- and right-hand turns; and changing lanes. Some States may also test your ability to drive on a highway or freeway and you may also be asked to parallel park. In Spain you will be tested on all of this, as well as some more complicated manoeuvres. 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