In recent years, Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs), known in Spain as Vehículos de Movilidad Personal (VMP), have significantly transformed urban transportation across the country and throughout Europe. Electric scooters and other lightweight electric mobility devices have become a common feature in cities, offering an affordable, practical, and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional forms of transport. Their popularity has grown rapidly, particularly in urban areas where short-distance travel and sustainable mobility solutions are increasingly important.
As the number of PMVs on public roads has expanded, however, so too have concerns relating to road safety, public space management, and legal responsibility. Accidents involving pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists have increased in recent years, creating new challenges for lawmakers and local authorities. In many situations, injured parties encountered difficulties obtaining compensation because PMV users were not legally required to carry insurance. This lack of clear accountability highlighted the need for a more comprehensive regulatory framework.
In response, Spain is moving toward stricter national regulation of PMVs under the supervision of the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT). The proposed reforms aim to improve public safety, provide greater legal certainty, and ensure that users of these vehicles operate within a clearly defined legal structure. Among the most important changes under discussion are the introduction of mandatory civil liability insurance, national registration systems, and technical certification requirements.
A Personal Mobility Vehicle is generally defined as a single-person vehicle powered exclusively by an electric motor and designed to travel at speeds between 6 km/h and 25 km/h. Common examples include electric scooters, self-balancing electric devices, and compact urban mobility vehicles intended for short-distance travel. Although PMVs are not legally classified as traditional motor vehicles, they are increasingly subject to traffic and administrative regulations similar to those applied to other road users.
One of the most significant developments is the planned introduction of compulsory civil liability insurance for PMV users. The purpose of this insurance is to guarantee that victims of accidents receive financial compensation for injuries or property damage caused by PMV use. At the same time, insurance also protects riders from potentially substantial legal and financial claims arising from accidents. The introduction of mandatory coverage reflects a wider European trend toward stricter oversight of micro-mobility systems and urban transport devices.
Civil liability insurance is expected to cover damages caused to third parties, including medical expenses, property damage, and legal compensation costs. The proposed regulatory framework distinguishes between different categories of PMVs according to factors such as weight, speed, and technical specifications.
For lighter PMVs intended for everyday urban use, the proposed insurance requirements are expected to include coverage for personal injury and property damage caused to third parties. More powerful or heavier PMVs may fall within a higher-risk category and therefore require broader insurance protection and stricter regulatory oversight. The final classification of these vehicles will likely depend on future DGT regulations, technical specifications, and certification standards.
Alongside insurance obligations, Spain is also developing a national registration and identification system for PMVs. Depending on the vehicle category, users may eventually be required to register their vehicle with the DGT and display an official identification label or sticker. Insurance information may also be linked directly to the registration database, allowing authorities to verify compliance more efficiently. These measures are intended to improve traceability, simplify enforcement procedures, and reduce the circulation of non-compliant vehicles.
Technical certification is another central aspect of the evolving regulatory framework. Spain has already introduced technical standards for many PMVs through DGT regulations. In order to circulate legally on public roads, certain vehicles may require a circulation certificate confirming compliance with official technical standards. Certification may also involve approval by authorised testing laboratories. Vehicles that fail to satisfy these requirements could eventually be prohibited from use on public roads and in urban areas.
PMV riders must also comply with a growing number of traffic and public safety rules. In general, riding on sidewalks and pedestrian zones is prohibited, and carrying passengers is not permitted. The use of mobile phones, headphones, or earphones while operating a PMV is forbidden, and riders are subject to the same alcohol and drug regulations that apply to other road users. During nighttime use, lights and reflective elements may also be mandatory.
The regulation of PMVs represents an important step in adapting Spain’s legal framework to the realities of modern urban mobility. Electric scooters and similar devices offer clear environmental and economic advantages, particularly in reducing congestion and emissions in densely populated cities. Nevertheless, their successful integration into public spaces requires effective regulation, clear legal responsibilities, and adequate protection for all road users.
Mandatory insurance, registration systems, and technical certification standards are expected to play a central role in improving accountability, enhancing road safety, and reducing legal uncertainty in the years ahead. As urban mobility continues to evolve, Spain’s regulatory approach to PMVs is likely to become increasingly important in shaping the future of sustainable transport across Europe.
