In Spain, the only safe limit for alcohol and drugs when driving is zero. Legal limits are already lower than in many countries, and for young drivers under 18 the limit is zero. Professional drivers, such as those operating school buses, face even stricter rules, and forthcoming legislation may lower the threshold further for everyone
This week we bring you urgent lessons from tragedies and policy changes across Europe, combined with fresh initiatives here in Spain.
In a July 2025 campaign, 96% of drivers testing positive for alcohol or drugs were detected via preventive controls. Over 4,234 cases were recorded, including 246 judicial referrals for alcohol and 18 for drugs.
DGT has launched a special traffic operation for the long weekend of 15 August, deploying law enforcement, surveillance, and lane adjustments to manage over 7 million expected journeys while highlighting safety amid fire risks
Spain’s summer road safety update is here. Fatality figures, speed in deadly crashes, a drop in urban road deaths, and worrying drug and alcohol driving stats — all in this week’s N332 Driving in Spain podcast.
Driving in Spain after losing all your licence points is a serious road safety offense under Article 384 of the Penal Code. This can lead to severe penalties, including prison sentences of three to six months, fines ranging from 12 to 24 months, or 31 to 90 days of community service. Spain’s points-based system, in place since 2006, allows for licence loss due to accumulated serious infractions, though point recovery courses are available. Common violations leading to point loss include speeding, mobile phone use, not wearing a seatbelt, and alcohol/drug use.