How the new DGT traffic rules affect us in 2026

They affect both road traffic and security systems and even, in addition to what the DGT dictates, new restrictions due to the establishment or expansion of low-emission zones in many cities.

That’s why the experts of the car rental company To rent out They have compiled these changes and are reviewing these new rules for us so we can check which ones may directly affect us.

In 2026, wearing seat belts will become universally compulsory in cities. Until now, taxi drivers, delivery drivers and driving school teachers They were exempt from using it while carrying out their work. In a few days, they too will be subject to the same rules as everyone else.

When we are driving and find a stationary vehicle occupying part of our lane, we must overtake it by reducing the speed to 20 km/h below the maximum road limit and maintaining a lateral spacing of 1.5 meters.

The first time we saw him was in viral videos on social media. And we loved it so much that we started replicating it on our roads. From now on, the DGT has decided to make this the norm: in traffic jams on highways and motorways, cars in the right lane will move to the right and those in the left lane will move to the left, to facilitate the creation of a central lane in which emergency vehicles can circulate.

Since January 1, DGT theoretical exams already include videos on risk perception to assess the reaction capacity in real traffic and risk situations on the road. This measure, inspired by successful models from other European countries such as the United Kingdom and France, requires the applicant to analyze the video and decide how they would act in dangerous situations, such as an unexpected pedestrian crossing, a vehicle broken down on the shoulder or unfavorable weather conditions. The aim is to put an end to the traditional model of memorizing multiple-choice exams and force driving schools to focus training on the practical application of regulations and anticipation of risks.

In 2026, all Spanish cities with more than 50,000 inhabitants (and all islands) will already have to have a low emissions zone (ZBE) to restrict access to the circulation and parking of the most polluting vehicles. This measure affects more than 149 municipalitiesin which almost half of the population of our country is concentrated. This year’s new regulations are mainly based on the DGT environmental label, so it concerns the majority of gasoline vehicles before 2001 and diesel vehicles before 2006. Failure to comply with these restrictions (the authorities have license plate reading cameras in these areas) will result in fines of up to 200 euros (reduced to 100 in the event of prompt payment).

Labels B and C generally have restricted access to the most protected areas, although they can circulate in the rest of the ZBE and enter it if they go to an authorized parking lot. ECO and Zero labeled vehicles will benefit from access, circulation and parking without restrictions and with superb bonuses.

However, each city council sets its own rules within its ZBE, so the exact restrictions may vary from city to city. In the specific case of Madrid, the moratorium was expected to end in January 2026. for vehicles registeredtherefore cars without labels (without exception) could not circulate on any urban road in the municipality, including the M-30. However, given the reduced environmental impact of unlabeled vehicles used by residents of the city of Madrid, the town hall has just decreed a new moratorium which will allow their access to the ZBE zone until December 31, 2026.