16 Year Olds Will Get Driving Licences Spain’s DGT Confirms
Spain News
Published: 10 June 2022 16:47 CET
Spain has confirmed the introduction of a new B-1 driving licence which will enable 16-year-olds to drive on the country's roads.
The plan aims to improve mobility for younger people, especially those in rural areas and will enable them to drive vehicles of a certain classification.
On Thursday, Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska said “In accordance with the provisions of the European Driving License Directive, we will regulate a new B1 driving licence from the age of 16 for electric vehicles with a maximum speed of 90 km/h and a maximum weight of 400 kg.
“It is already in use in countries like France with good results and will favour the mobility of the youngest in rural areas where, even with all possible efforts, public transport obviously does not arrive in the same conditions as in more urban environments.
“And it also means guaranteeing equality in the exercise of the rights of our young people in rural areas,” he said.
Up until now, only youngsters of 18 or above were able to obtain a driving licence allowing them to drive vehicles of up to 3,500 kg, driving at a maximum of 120 km/h.
There are options available to those of 15 years and above to get an AM licence but this is very limited and only permits youngsters to drive two or three-wheeled mopeds and quadricycles with a maximum speed of 45 km/h.
Marlaska who was joined by the General Director of Traffic, Pere Navarro made the announcement during the presentation of the 2030 Road Safety Strategy detailing the options open to 16-year-olds under the plans.
The Minister said that the approach is already being used in other parts of the EU including France with good results and will benefit teenagers in more rural areas where public transport is not accessible.
As yet, the Ministry has not confirmed how the licence will be obtained including any tests that will need to be taken.
In addition to the new B-1 licence, the minister also mapped out other aspects of the new 2030 Road Safety Strategy. One such plan is to introduce training as a part of the school curriculum educating youngsters on safe and sustainable mobility.
No doubt an attempt to foster a new generation of safe and responsible drivers with the aim of cutting the number of fatalities on Spain’s roads.
Source
https://www.marca.com/coches-y-motos/trafico/2022/06/09/62a1dfb522601da7438b45b3.html
https://euroweeklynews.com/2022/06/10/dgt-announces-16-year-olds-will-soon-get-driving-licences-in-spain/
https://spanishnewstoday.com/new_licence_for_under_16s_in_spain_to_drive_electric_cars_1788112-a.html
