New traffic Rules 2025: What drivers on the Costa Blanca need to know

From the emergency lane to the hard shoulder - with humour through the new regulations.

The Highway Code in Spain is not a complete mystery for many residents and drivers on the Costa Blanca, but it is not an easy read either. From 2025, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) will be introducing new rules that are intended to ensure both greater safety and smoother traffic.
But beware: some changes come as a surprise - and it will be expensive if you don't comply. So here's what you need to know;

Overtaking in icy conditions: better to stay on the right
In future, overtaking will be prohibited on snow-covered or icy roads with more than one lane in each direction. The aim is to ensure that emergency and snow clearing vehicles can drive freely. The rule is: even if it takes longer, stay to the right - safety first.

Rescue lane: No room for excuses
The emergency lane is now mandatory on all multi-lane roads - with no exceptions. On two-lane roads, this means that the right lane moves to the right, the left lane to the left. On three-lane roads, the left lane moves to the left, the other two to the right. Sounds simple? It should be - because emergency vehicles must not lose any time.

Motorbikes on the hard shoulder: With rules, please!
Motorcyclists are now allowed to use the right-hand hard shoulder in traffic jams - but only up to a maximum of 30 km/h. The following applies: pedestrians and cyclists have priority.

A little more flexibility for two-wheelers, but with care, please.

Hard shoulder for emergency vehicles: rules for everyone
Rescue and recovery vehicles may also use the hard shoulder as long as they have their warning lights switched on. They are limited to 30 km/h - unless they are being used by the police, fire brigade or rescue services, where higher speeds are permitted. For normal drivers: keep your hands off the hard shoulder, even in traffic jams.

What is behind it?
The new rules are aimed at improving safety and efficiency. Emergency services should reach their destination more quickly, motorcyclists will be given limited freedom and the risk of accidents caused by overtaking manoeuvres in winter conditions will be minimised.

Well informed when travelling
Drivers on the Costa Blanca should not only be aware of the new regulations, but also comply with them. There are severe penalties for offences. Full details of the changes can be found on the official DGT website: www.dgt.es.

A tip: Stay calm in traffic jams, drive carefully and create a little more space for emergency services and two-wheelers - that's how the new rules work.