Spain to lower drivers’ age for electric cars

This will be a way to boost the popularity of sustainable vehicles among the next generations

The Spanish Interior Ministry announced that it plans to lower the driving licence age for certain types of electric vehicles as a way to popularize sustainable mobility. Teenagers, aged 16 and 17, will be able to get the new B1 licence, which will grant them the right to drive electric cars with a weight of maximum 400 kg (not counting the battery) and at a speed of no higher than 90 km/h.

Currently, it is only possible for teenagers who haven’t turned 18 to drive 125cc mopeds at up to 45km/h on a Spanish A1 licence (+16 years), or even lighter and less powerful quadricycles on an AM licence (+15 years). When drivers turn 18, they can get a B2 licence which grants them the right to operate regular cars.

Part of a national Road Safety Strategy

The launch of the B1 driver’s licence in Spain is part of the new Road Safety Strategy 2020-2030 of the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) and the Ministry of Interior.

The Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, recalled that this type of card "is already being applied in countries such as France with good results and will favour the mobility of the youngest in rural areas", where despite all possible efforts, "obviously the public transport does not arrive in the same availability as in the most urban areas”.

The presentation of the new strategy and licence, however, was scarce on too many details, which still need to be fine-tuned. One of these is whether teenage drivers will be allowed on all roads, especially given that the provision is for them not to exceed speeds of 90 km/h.

It is expected that they will have to sit a theory exam similar to that that most B2 learners take. According to Spain’s National Statistics Institute, around 1 million 16 and 17-year-olds will be able to benefit from this measure.

The new B1 licence law is likely to come into force in 2023.