Riding and parking a motorbike in Spanish cities

Key rules

• Local rules: Parking and low-emission zone rules are set by each town hall, so check the city where you ride.
• Environmental label: Get your bike's environmental label status confirmed when you buy it.
• Filtering: Do not filter between queued vehicles until you have confirmed what is allowed.

Specific rules on helmets, passengers, filtering, pavement parking, labels and low-emission zones should be confirmed with the DGT and your town hall before you ride.

Check these six things before you ride

City fines for motorbikes usually come from a few areas. Each one below says what to confirm and where. Details can differ by town, so confirm locally before your first ride.

Helmet

Ask the DGT (Spain's traffic authority) or the shop selling you the helmet which standard it must meet. Buy the helmet new from a shop that can tell you it is approved for road use in Spain, and keep the receipt.

Carrying a passenger

Rules on passengers cover who may ride with you and what your licence and the bike's papers must allow. Before you take anyone, check your bike's registration documents and ask the DGT or your driving school what applies to you.

Lane filtering

Moving between queued vehicles is a common cause of disputes and fines. Do not assume it is allowed. Ask the DGT or a local driving school what is permitted before you do it.

Parking on the pavement

Do not assume a motorbike can park on the pavement. Each town hall sets its own parking rules for motorbikes. Look for marked motorbike bays, and ask your town hall's mobility or police office where bikes may park.

Environmental label

The DGT environmental label (distintivo ambiental) is a sticker that shows how polluting a vehicle is. Ask the DGT or your dealer whether your bike has one, how it is assigned and how to get it. Ask for it when you buy the bike.

Low-emission zones in Madrid and Barcelona

Both cities have a ZBE (zona de bajas emisiones), an area where access depends on a vehicle's environmental label. Check the current rules for motorbikes on your city's official website or with your town hall before you ride into the centre. Do this before you ride there, because cameras read number plates and fines are automatic.