Spain tightens traffic rules, ending belt exemption for couriers and removing amber flash lights at pedestrian crossings

A Royal Decree (Real Decreto 518/2026) published on 26 June and set to take effect on 1 October repeals the historic exemption that allowed urban delivery drivers in Spain to forgo the seat‑belt while making short loading and unloading stops. The change, opposed by the delivery‑sector federation Fenadismer, is justified by the government as a safety measure, though the federation argues it will reduce efficiency for couriers handling parcels, food deliveries and gas canisters, with little road‑safety benefit.

The same decree also removes the intermittent amber light that previously showed at pedestrian‑only traffic signals. Drivers must now stop whenever pedestrians have a green light, eliminating the former conflict between a vehicle amber flash and a pedestrian green. Violations will be fined €200 and result in a loss of four licence points. The DGT is rolling out the new signalling system across municipalities ahead of the October deadline.