Spain's New E-Scooter Law: €100 Fine for Under-15s from October 2026

Spain's new e-scooter law introduces a €100 fine for riders under 15, effective October 1, and parents are legally on the hook for payment. The change comes from Real Decreto 518/2026, an update to the General Traffic Regulations approved by the Council of Ministers in June. It aims to tighten safety for electric scooters and other personal mobility vehicles (VMPs).

Under the new rules, only individuals aged 15 or older may operate a VMP on public roads. Anyone younger is committing a minor infraction, punishable by a fine of up to €100 under the Traffic Law. But the financial sting lands on the adults: Article 82.b of the Traffic Law makes parents, guardians, or legal caregivers jointly liable for infractions committed by minors under 18.

What Exactly Changes on October 1?

The core change is the minimum age for riding a personal mobility vehicle. From October 1, riders must be at least 15 years old. This applies to all VMPs, a category that includes electric scooters but excludes mopeds and bicycles. The regulation is part of a broader update that also affects motorcyclists, cyclists, and drivers who overtake them.

Previously, there was no specific age limit for e-scooter riders at the national level, though some municipalities had their own rules. The new decree creates a uniform standard across Spain. It also clarifies that riding underage is a minor infraction, which can be sanctioned with a fine of up to €100.

Why Parents Are Liable for the Fine

The liability shift is rooted in Article 82.b of the Traffic Law. When a minor under 18 commits a traffic infraction, parents, tutors, or legal caregivers are held jointly responsible in that order. The rationale is that they failed to prevent the minor from breaking the law.

In practice, this means if a 13-year-old rides an electric scooter to school, the €100 fine is addressed to the parents. The same applies to any other traffic violation committed by a minor, not just e-scooter age limits. This provision has existed for years, but the new age restriction makes it directly relevant to scooter use.

Who Is Affected and How

The new rule directly impacts families with children under 15 who use electric scooters for daily transport, especially to school or for leisure. It also affects retailers and rental companies that may need to verify age before selling or renting VMPs. Local police will be responsible for enforcement, though the decree does not specify new inspection protocols. Context on how this played out before sits in Spain's New E-Scooter Law: €100 Fine for Under-15s from October.

Teenagers aged 15 and older can still ride, but they must comply with other VMP regulations, such as using bike lanes where available and not exceeding speed limits. The decree does not change helmet requirements, which remain mandatory for all VMP users under 16 and recommended for others. The background to this story is set out in Car: latest articles. A related thread runs through Spain's New Traffic Rules Let Motorcyclists Use the Shoulder in Traffic Jams.

Key Takeaways for Riders and Parents

• Minimum age: Only those 15 or older may ride electric scooters on public roads from October 1.
• Fine amount: Underage riding is a minor infraction, fined up to €100.
• Parental liability: Parents or guardians are jointly responsible for paying the fine.
• Enforcement: Local police will enforce the age limit, though specific checks are not detailed.
• Other rules: Helmet use remains mandatory for under-16s, and VMPs must follow existing circulation rules.

Comparison: Old vs. New E-Scooter Rules

What to Watch Next

The decree enters into force in October, but how it will be enforced remains to be seen. Municipalities may issue guidance or adjust local ordinances to align with the national rule. Parents should talk to their children about the new age limit and consider alternative transport if they are under 15. Earlier coverage in Spain's New Traffic Rules: Guardia Civil Officer Explains the Confusion shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in No, You Don't Need a New Mandatory Kit in Your Trunk From October.

Retailers and rental services may also need to update their practices to avoid facilitating underage use. The government has not announced a public awareness campaign, but further details could emerge as the date approaches. For now, the key is compliance: if you're under 15, stay off the scooter, or your parents will pay the price. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Hoy No Circula Saturday: Which Cars Can Drive on October. The same theme surfaces in Spain Opens the Black Box of Workplace Algorithms, which takes a different angle.