Spain sees record number of drivers taking point recovery courses

Spain has seen a record number of drivers enrolling in road safety and sensitization courses to recover lost driving license points. Last year, 117,091 drivers participated in these programs, a historic high driven by increased point deductions for specific traffic infractions in 2022.

There are two primary types of courses available. The partial course lasts 10 hours and allows drivers to recover up to four points; it can be taken once every two years. The full course lasts 20 hours and is required for those who have lost all their points or face judicial convictions involving the deprivation of driving rights. In the latter case, participants must also pass a knowledge test.

The number of authorized driving schools offering these courses has grown significantly, increasing from 196 in 2006 to 1,086 currently. Common reasons for needing these courses include speeding and alcohol-related offenses.