Driving in Madrid

Madrid 360 / Low Emissions Area, involves the creation of various low-emission zones (LEZs) to improve environmental protection across the 21 districts. Vehicles without an environmental sticker or badge (class A) are not permitted to enter or drive within the M-30 or on the M-30 itself, unless they fall within one of the exceptional circumstances or are covered by authorisations provided for in the regulations. Since 1 January 2025, the restrictions also apply to vehicles without an environmental badge that are registered or based in Madrid, subject to certain exceptions.

MADRID 360 / LOW EMISSIONS AREA:

Madrid 360 consists of the creation of different low emissions areas (ZBE) to improve environmental protection in the 21 districts. The entire municipality will gradually be declared ZBE according to rings from 1 January 2022 until 2025.

With the approval of the new Sustainable Mobility Regulation, legal parameters were established on 13 September 2021 to turn the entire city into a Low Emissions Area, reconciling the fight against pollution and the development of economic activity.

Vehicles with restricted access to Madrid's Low Emission Zone outside the M-30

From 1 July 2024, heavily polluting cars that weren’t registered in Madrid before 1 January 2022, or aren’t listed for the city’s Motor Vehicle Tax (IVTM), will be restricted from driving anywhere in the city.

They can be fined if they are captured by any of the 500 cameras that control this Low Emission Zone (ZBE). They will only be able to cross the municipal district of Madrid using the M-40, M-45 and M-50, as well as the by-passes up to the boundary of the M-40, whereby these roads are restriction-free to guarantee the connectivity of the road network.

Further information

HOW DOES THE NEW REGULATION AFFECT ME?

Anti-pollution protocol

Madrid has a protocol for high pollution that affects traffic and parking. This protocol establishes five series of measures and gives priority to cleaner vehicles depending on their environment sticker.

If you are driving to Madrid by car, it is useful to check here if the protocol is activated and what measures it establishes.

Parking regulations

It is illegal to park a vehicle in places with yellow markings or where No Parking (Prohibido estacionar) signs are displayed. Regulated parking zones are signposted and have blue or green road markings. You can purchase a ticket from the nearest pay and display machine or by mobile.

Driving under the influence           

Driving under the influence of alcohol is prohibited and may constitute an administrative or a criminal offence, depending on the blood alcohol level detected and the circumstances of the case. The general limit is 0.25 mg of alcohol per litre of exhaled air (0.5 g per litre of blood). For new drivers (who have held a licence for less than two years) and professional drivers, the limit is 0.15 mg/l (0.3 g per litre of blood). Exceeding these limits may result in fines of 500 euros, points on your driving licence and, in the most serious cases, prison sentences and having your driving licence revoked.

Speed limits

Speed limits are strictly enforced in Madrid and are controlled by speed cameras located around the city. General speed limits for vehicles, depending on the roads, are the following:

• Motorways and dual carriageways: 120km/h
• National roads: 100km/h
• City roads: 30Km/hr on single lane roads / 50 km/hr on roads with two or more lanes in the same direction
• Shared bike lanes: 30 Km/h
• Residential areas: 20km/h

License and minimum age for driving

The minimum legal age to drive in Spain is 18- Non-residents may drive in Spain with an International Driver’s License, a temporary license which is valid for one year. Residents of a European Community country may drive in Spain using the license from their country of origin.  

Travelling with children

Children over 12 may travel in the passenger seat. Those under 12 may only travel in the front unless they are using a special car seat. Children in the back who are under 135cm tall must use the correct car or booster seats. Further information

Motorbikes and bicycles

It is compulsory for motorbike riders to use dipped headlights day and night. Both the driver and any passenger must always use a helmet. Helmets are only compulsory for cyclists when travelling outside urban areas. Further information

Mobiles

Using a mobile phone whilst driving is an offence in Madrid, unless it is used via a hands-free system. The fine for an offence of this kind is approximately €200, and holding or using a mobile phone whilst driving is penalised with 6 points on your driving licence.

Seatbelts

Use of seatbelts is compulsory in Spain for both front and back seats. Failure to do so is a serious infraction, sanctioned with a fine of €200 and the loss of 3 points for the driver.

Personal Transporters

Electric scooters, Segways and other Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) are not permitted on pavements, bus lanes or roads with more than one lane in each direction. They are permitted on cycle lanes and on the road in 30 zones, at a maximum speed of 25 km/h. They are also not permitted to drive on the slip roads and sections of the M-30 that are not controlled by traffic lights.

The minimum age for driving an PMV is 15. Wearing a helmet is compulsory for under-18s and for anyone travelling at 25 km/h in multimodal lanes. It is also forbidden to use a mobile phone or headphones whilst driving such a vehicle.

Further information