Else Beekman
Starting Monday, November 4, 2024, a significant change will take effect in Spain’s driving licence points system. The change will affect drivers who need to recover lost points. The new Ministerial Order modifies the partial points recovery course. Herewith, reducing the number of points drivers can regain from six to four upon completion.
The updated course, aimed at drivers who have lost points on their licence, will now require a minimum of 10 hours of training. This is divided into two sections: a common seven-hour module and a specific three-hour module tailored to the driver’s infractions.
The common section will include group dynamics led by psychologists, road safety lessons, and possibly testimonials from road accident victims. This part is designed to raise awareness about road safety and prevent future violations. However, the specific section will focus on the driver’s particular infractions, such as speeding, alcohol or drug consumption, and distractions while driving. The aim is to ensure these mistakes are not repeated.
Tailored to driver profiles
The specific portion of the course will be personalised according to each driver’s history of violations. For example, a driver with speeding offences will focus on the dangers of speeding, while those with DUI (driving under the influence) offences will address issues related to alcohol and drug consumption. This approach ensures that the course directly targets the behaviour that led to the loss of points in the first place.
Recovery limitations for professional and private drivers
The new regulation also limits how often drivers can take the course. Professional drivers, including those operating buses, lorries, taxis, and ambulances, will be allowed to attend the course once per year. Meanwhile, private drivers will only be eligible to take the course once every two years.
Other recent DGT changes
This is not the first update to Spain’s driving regulations this year. In March 2024, the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) introduced a system that allows drivers to receive their theoretical driving test results just one hour after completing the exam, via the DGT’s MiDGT app.
Also read: Stricter driving license rules for over-65s in Spain