No, lane splitting is illegal in Spain under the Reglamento General de Circulación (Royal Decree 1428/2003), which prohibits motorcycles from overtaking between lanes or moving alongside vehicles in traffic. The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) enforces strict penalties, including fines up to €200 and potential license points deductions. While some European countries permit lane filtering, Spain’s traffic laws remain unambiguous, prioritizing safety over rider convenience.
Key Regulations for Lane Splitting in Spain
- Prohibition Under Article 31.1: Motorcycles may not overtake between lanes (“adelantamiento por la derecha”) or occupy the space between vehicles, as defined in the Reglamento General de Circulación.
- DGT Enforcement: The Dirección General de Tráfico actively penalizes lane splitting, classifying it as a faulta grave (serious infraction) under Article 65.4.d, with fines of €200 and 3 license points.
- No Exceptions for Low Speeds: Even in congested traffic, the DGT does not recognize lane filtering as a legal maneuver, contrasting with jurisdictions like California or Germany.
Note: As of 2026, no legislative amendments have been proposed to legalize lane splitting in Spain. Riders violating these rules risk civil liability in accidents under the Ley de Responsabilidad Civil y Seguro en la Circulación de Vehículos a Motor.