Fewer Hours and More Victim Testimonies to Recover Driving License Points

Starting November 4th, new measures to recover driving license points will be implemented by the Traffic Department. These measures include shorter course durations, different driver profiles based on the type of infraction committed, and a greater emphasis on group dynamics with psychologists and the participation of road accident victims, following evidence of their effectiveness in changing attitudes behind the wheel.

The new courses, part of which can be completed online, will only allow drivers to recover four points (currently six), with the idea that the remaining two points can be regained through safe and efficient driving courses that the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) aims to launch this year. These courses will be available to all drivers, regardless of whether they have lost points on their license.

This Wednesday, the Official State Gazette published the new Ministerial Order regulating sensitization and road safety reeducation courses for drivers who have lost points or their license. The courses aim to modify "incorrect behaviors on the road and raise awareness about the serious consequences of road accidents," according to a DGT statement.

After nearly twenty years since the implementation of the Points-Based Driving License and the Order regulating these courses, the Traffic Department deemed it necessary to conduct a comprehensive review of their content, incorporate changes made in recent traffic laws, and adapt them to current mobility trends.

Among the most significant changes in the new regulation, which will take effect on November 4th, is an increase in time allocated for group dynamics. This is because it is believed that students internalize messages better this way and psychologists can better assess how students are accepting these messages. Additionally, new profiles for offenders will be created, including those for distractions, reckless behaviors in motorcyclists, speeding, alcohol, and other drugs. The participation of victims will also be mandatory as it has proven effective in changing attitudes over nearly two decades. Until now, victim participation in Traffic courses was not obligatory but they were often invited to participate.

The DGT also aims to leverage new technologies by allowing part of the course content (specifically individualized content tailored to each offender profile) to be completed online.

According to Montserrat Pérez, Deputy Director of Training at DGT, "The update in content and structure of these courses aims to change attitudes and behaviors of offending drivers, reeducate them in respect for essential values in road safety, make them aware of the consequences of their actions, and adapt the courses to new technologies."

The Traffic and Road Safety Law establishes two types of courses: partial point recovery courses and driving license recovery courses.

For partial point recovery courses, the minimum duration will be ten hours (previously twelve), seven of which will be dedicated to general training on road safety culture topics, group dynamics led by psychologist-trainers focusing on attitude change, and testimonies from road accident victims. The remaining three hours will be individualized sessions based on each driver's major deficiencies considering their infraction profile: speeding, alcohol and other drugs, reckless behaviors, criminal conduct, distractions or reckless behaviors on motorcycles.

Completing and passing this course will allow drivers to recover four points but never more than they have lost. This partial point recovery course can only be taken once every two years except for professional drivers who can take it once a year.

Regarding driving license recovery courses, the minimum duration will be 20 hours (previously 24), proportionally distributed similarly to partial point recovery courses.

Although the Ministerial Order takes effect on November 4th, courses started before this date will follow regulations in place at their commencement.

Currently, there are over 900 centers within DGT's jurisdiction offering sensitization and road safety reeducation courses. Autonomous communities with transferred traffic competencies will determine how these sensitization and reeducation courses are delivered.