Microcars and quads you can drive without a car licence

Terms used

• Ficha técnica — The ficha técnica is the vehicle's technical data sheet, listing its approved specifications.
• IVTM — The IVTM is the yearly local circulation tax on vehicles, paid to your town hall.
• ITV — The ITV is Spain's periodic roadworthiness inspection for vehicles.
• Permiso de circulación — The permiso de circulación is the registration document that allows a vehicle to be driven on public roads.

Key rules

• Licence: The AM licence is enough for a microcar, and a car or motorbike licence also covers it.
• Roads: Microcars are banned from motorways and dual carriageways.
• Insurance: Compulsory third-party insurance from a company authorised in Spain is required before you drive.
• Registration: The vehicle needs registration and a plate like any other motor vehicle.

Who can drive a microcar

You can drive a microcar with the AM licence, which you can get from age 15. If you already hold a car licence (B) or a motorbike licence (A1 or A2), you can drive one too. Passenger and helmet rules follow the type of vehicle, so check them for the exact model you choose.

What counts as a microcar

A light quadricycle (often called a "coche sin carnet") must meet all of these limits:

• Top speed of 45 km/h.
• Unladen weight of up to 425 kg, not counting batteries.
• Engine power of up to 6 kW. For a petrol engine, the cylinder size can be up to 50 cc.

Heavier quadricycles are a separate class with different rules and need a car licence. Check the vehicle's technical data sheet before you buy.

Where you can drive it

Microcars may use ordinary roads, including town streets and conventional roads. They are banned from motorways (autopistas) and dual carriageways (autovías). They are also banned from any road that excludes vehicles unable to reach 60 km/h.

Inside towns, local rules apply. Some low-emission zones or restricted areas may limit microcars, so ask your town hall about the places where you will drive.

Registration, tax and insurance

A microcar must be registered like any other vehicle. You do it at the provincial traffic office (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico). You receive a permiso de circulación and a moped-type number plate (matrícula).

• You need the ficha técnica (technical data sheet) and must pay the registration tax where it applies.
• If the vehicle is imported, you also need its homologation papers (COC).
• You pay the yearly local circulation tax (IVTM) to your town hall.
• You need compulsory third-party insurance from a company authorised in Spain. Driving uninsured is fined, and the vehicle can be immobilised.

Roadworthiness inspection

The ITV is the roadworthiness inspection. It follows the moped schedule: the first one 3 years after registration, then every 2 years until the vehicle is 10 years old, and every year after that. Intervals and fees vary by region, so ask your regional ITV station.

The checklist and the questions below cover the steps and common doubts.

Checklist

• Check that the vehicle is a light quadricycle: top speed 45 km/h and unladen weight up to 425 kg, not counting batteries.

• Register the vehicle at the provincial traffic office (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico) to get the circulation permit and a moped-type number plate.

• Take out compulsory third-party insurance with a company authorised in Spain before you drive.

• Book the first ITV inspection for 3 years after registration, then every 2 years until the vehicle is 10 years old, then every year.

• Plan routes that avoid motorways and dual carriageways, where microcars are banned.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive a microcar on the motorway?

No, microcars are banned from motorways (autopistas) and dual carriageways (autovías). The same ban applies on any road that bars vehicles unable to reach 60 km/h. Use ordinary roads and urban streets instead.

Can I drive a microcar with a car licence?

Yes, a car licence (B) lets you drive a light quadricycle, and so do A1 and A2 motorbike licences. Without those, you need the AM licence. The vehicle must still be registered and insured.

When does a microcar need its first ITV inspection?

The first ITV (roadworthiness inspection) is generally due 3 years after registration.

What is the difference between a light and a heavy quadricycle?

A light quadricycle tops out at 45 km/h, weighs up to 425 kg unladen without batteries and has an engine of up to 6 kW. Heavy quadricycles follow different rules and need a B licence, so a light-quadricycle licence does not cover them.