Spain has introduced a new traffic sign, the R-118, designed specifically to regulate electric scooters and other personal mobility vehicles in urban areas.
The sign started appearing in cities across the country from 1 July 2025 and allows local authorities to ban scooters and similar devices from certain streets and zones.
What the new traffic sign for scooters means
The new sign is circular with a red border and shows the silhouette of a scooter in black against a white background.
Although many people already call it “the scooter sign”, the restriction applies to a wider range of personal mobility vehicles, including:
- Electric scooters
- Segways
- Hoverboards
- Electric monocycles
Cars, motorcycles and bicycles are not affected unless separate restrictions apply.
Why Spain introduced it
The change follows years of confusion caused by different rules from one city to another.
Some municipalities allowed scooters in cycle lanes, while others banned them from pedestrian areas or certain streets entirely. That created uncertainty for both riders and police officers.
When did the R-118 sign enter Spanish traffic law?
Directorate-General for Traffic, commonly known as the DGT, first proposed updating traffic signs in 2022 as electric mobility devices became increasingly common across Spain.
The R-118 sign officially entered Spanish traffic law through Royal Decree 465/2025, published in June 2025 as part of the country’s first major traffic sign overhaul in more than twenty years.
Where the rules already apply
Cities including Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and Sevilla have already started enforcing the new restrictions.
Authorities are focusing especially on:
- Pedestrianised zones
- Historic centres
- Busy urban streets where scooters may create safety risks
Anyone ignoring the sign can face fines of €200.
Local councils have until July 2026 to fully update older signage and complete the transition to the new system.
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