New Traffic Signs to Be Introduced on Spanish Roads This Summer

With the summer holiday exodus in full swing and millions of journeys expected in the coming weeks, Spanish roads are beginning to transform. The Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT) will progressively implement new traffic signs, a long-awaited measure aimed at improving road safety and adapting to 21st-century mobility.

From July 1, 2025, Spain will introduce a modernised road signage system that reflects the social and technological changes of the past two decades. The Council of Ministers has approved a unified catalogue that will gradually change how we interact with our roads.

The goal is to maintain the highest level of understanding among all users to ensure road safety and travel efficiency.

In addition to modernising older signage, the DGT is responding to requests from municipalities and Parliament. The new regulations aim to adapt signage to technological, mobility, and gender equality aspects, establishing a homogeneous base for future regulations, such as Low Emission Zones (LEZ).

A third aim of this renewal is to streamline the process for future updates. This will allow the vertical signage and road markings catalogues to adapt more quickly to new technological needs, traffic regulations, or road safety improvements.

The implementation of these new signs will be gradual. The DGT reminds us that adequate road signage is crucial. A 1998 Ministry of Development study already indicated that improving signage reduced the risk of mortality by 39%, with costs amortised in just two years. With these new additions, the DGT hopes to take a step forward in protecting all road users.

For now, we can start getting used to the new signs and their meanings.

Danger due to the proximity of a section with several direct accesses to the road, where users of these direct accesses must yield. (It is similar to the existing P-1 from a to d, indicating an intersection with priority over possible entries from the right or left).

Danger due to the proximity of a pedestrian crossing adjacent to or shared with a cyclist crossing. (It should be noted that at a pedestrian crossing (P-20a), cyclists must dismount and walk across, while at cyclist crossings, they can ride across).

Danger due to the proximity of a place where the road may frequently be crossed by wild animals, notably boars. (It indicates the same as P-24 – wild animal crossing – but warns of the possibility of boars).

Danger due to the proximity of a section where visibility is frequently reduced due to fog, rain, snow, smoke, etc. (It has been changed to avoid possible confusion with, for example, falling objects or stones).

Danger due to the proximity of a section between a confluence and a bifurcation where various lane-changing movements occur, increasing the risk of collisions.

Obligation for all drivers to stop their vehicle at the next stop line or, if none exists, immediately before the intersection, and yield to vehicles on the road they are approaching. If, due to exceptional circumstances, there is insufficient visibility from the stopping point, the driver must stop again at a point where visibility is adequate, without endangering any road user.

No entry for personal mobility vehicles. (This is a new sign affecting all PMVs, not just scooters).

No entry for vehicles based on their environmental badge or other environmental criteria that may be established. Conditions will be specified on a supplementary S-860 panel or a sign including the signal, referring to the classification of each vehicle based on its environmental badge, as established by regulations.

Indicates the start of a 2+1 road, which consists of three lanes allowing traffic in both directions. The central lane is designated to facilitate overtaking, alternately reserved for one direction of travel. This sign may also indicate a junction leading to a 2+1 road.

Indicates the location of a pedestrian overpass or underpass equipped with a ramp, rail, or cycle ramp.

Indicates a traffic zone primarily intended for pedestrians, where special traffic rules apply: the maximum vehicle speed is 20 km/h; traffic is shared between vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians; pedestrians have priority and can use the entire traffic zone, so pedestrian crossings are not marked; cycles and, where applicable, PMVs can travel in both directions unless otherwise established by the competent authority; vehicles can only park in designated areas; games and sports are not permitted.

Indicates one or more lanes exclusively for high occupancy vehicles. The image will show the number of people considered high occupancy, determined by the competent managing body in each case. If the lane or lanes are reserved not only for HOVs but also for other specific types of vehicles, the corresponding images can be combined in the same way as in the S-51a sign.

Indicates, on a road with three lanes in the same direction, that a bifurcation will occur in the central lane with a change of direction of the four resulting lanes, two to the left and two to the right. (It is similar to a series of signs – from S-60 to S-63 – that aim to better inform about how the road bifurcations are so that drivers can position themselves in advance in the most suitable lane for their destination).

Indicates, on a road with one lane (S-70), two (S-71), or more lanes (S-72), that one or more lanes will converge from the left or right.

Indicates the location of a fuel pump or service station, including LPG (S-105 c), electric charging (S-105e), or several of them (S-105b, S-105d, or S-105f).

Indicates surveillance through automatic capture and reporting means, ensuring compliance with the vertical sign it accompanies.

Indicates the generic speed limits on different types of roads and in urban areas in Spain.

Indicates the possible presence of speed controls in the section using aerial means, such as helicopters or drones. If these controls target a specific type of vehicle, the sign may include only the corresponding vehicle pictogram.

Indicates, on a conventional road or a multi-lane road (S-992a) or inside a tunnel (S-992b) or on a motorway or dual carriageway (S-992c), where rear-end collisions frequently occur and the number of chevron road markings a vehicle must leave between itself and the one in front.

Indicates, in a section where visibility is frequently lost due to fog, the number of light beacons a vehicle must leave between itself and the one in front.

According to the DGT, the new regulation adapts signage to social, technological, and mobility changes, with a unified catalogue that improves understanding and coherence across the territory. New signs are introduced to regulate new modes of transport, such as personal mobility vehicles, and respond to current traffic situations. Pictograms are redesigned, visibility is improved, and obsolete signs are removed, with a focus on sustainability and inclusive visual language.

Up to 59 signs from the previous Catalogue undergo some design modification. After the regulation comes into force, there is a minimum three-month period before their inclusion in exams to allow for the updating of training manuals and ensure candidates have adequate time to prepare.