Spain's aging car fleet and tighter licence renewal rules for drivers over 65

A new report shows that 41% of vehicles on Spanish roads are older than 15 years, with the average age at 16.1 years. Diesel cars still dominate at 48% while fully electric models account for only about 1.2% of the fleet. The slow turnover is cited as a barrier to Spain’s decarbonisation targets and raises road‑safety concerns because older cars lack modern driver‑assistance systems.

At the same time, authorities have amended licence‑renewal regulations for people aged 65 and older. The maximum validity of a standard car or motorcycle licence is now five years, and three years for professional bus or truck licences. Renewal requires a medical assessment; drivers over 70 are exempt from the traffic fee and only pay the medical cost. The changes aim to ensure that older drivers maintain the health and abilities needed for safe driving.

Both measures are intended to improve traffic safety and accelerate the shift toward cleaner, newer vehicles in Spain.