July marks 20 years since Spain introduced its points-based driving licence system, one of the biggest road safety reforms in the country’s history.
When the system came into force in 2006, it transformed the way authorities dealt with traffic offences. Instead of relying solely on fines, drivers also risked losing licence points for dangerous behaviour, encouraging safer driving through penalties and education.
Twenty years on, the figures suggest the reform has played a major role in improving road safety.
Road deaths have fallen sharply
In 2003, Spain recorded 128 road deaths per million inhabitants, around 25% above the European average. By 2024, that figure had fallen to just 37 deaths per million, placing Spain among Europe’s safest countries for road safety.
Other key indicators have also moved in the right direction.
Seatbelt use has climbed from 72% to 98%, while helmet use has increased from 96% to 98%.
Meanwhile, positive breathalyser tests have fallen from 2.6% to 1%, and the proportion of drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 20km/h has dropped from 5.45% to just 0.06%.
Millions of drivers have lost points
Since 2006, authorities have recorded more than 22 million traffic offences
that resulted in points deductions.
In recent years, the government has increased penalties for some of the most dangerous offences rather than responding to worsening driver behaviour.
For example, using a handheld mobile phone while driving now carries a six-point penalty instead of three. Likewise, drink and drug driving offences can also result in the loss of six points.
Even so, the proportion of drivers losing points has remained relatively stable over the past decade.
Today, almost 73% of Spanish drivers still hold the maximum 15 points on their licence, while more than 90% have at least 12 points.
Most drivers only lose their licence once
Over the past 20 years, more than 353,000 drivers have lost their licence after running out of points.
However, most do not repeat the offence.
According to the DGT, more than 91% of drivers who lost their licence only did so once, while fewer than 1.1% have lost it three or more times.
Education remains at the heart of the system
From the beginning, Spain designed the points system to educate as well as punish.
Since 2006, road safety centres have delivered almost 142,000 awareness and re-education courses, with more than one million drivers taking part.
The DGT says the courses continue to deliver positive results. More than 88% of participants avoided further penalties during the six months after completing a course, while more than half remained offence-free for at least three years.
In addition, drivers with a positive points balance can now earn two extra points by completing voluntary safe and efficient driving courses, which the government introduced in 2025.
What happens next?
The DGT expects the points system to continue evolving over the coming years.
Future plans include tougher action against repeat offenders, particularly those caught using mobile phones while driving or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
At the same time, Spain wants to strengthen cooperation with other European countries, making it easier to share traffic offence information and enforce penalties across borders.
Twenty years after its introduction, the points-based driving licence remains a cornerstone of Spain’s road safety strategy, helping to change driver behaviour while contributing to a dramatic fall in road deaths.
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