DGT theory test topics › Traffic Regulations and Road Use
In Spain cars may drive at up to 120 km/h on motorways and dual carriageways, 90 km/h on conventional roads, and 50, 30 or 20 km/h in towns depending on the street. At junctions without signs you give way to traffic coming from your right, and on roundabouts the vehicles already inside have priority.
Key rules to remember
- Generic speed limits for cars and motorcycles: 120 km/h on motorways and dual carriageways (autopistas and autovías) and 90 km/h on conventional roads, with no extra margin to overtake.
- Towns: 50 km/h on streets with two or more lanes in each direction, 30 km/h on streets with one lane in each direction, and 20 km/h on single-level streets where the road and the pavement are at the same height. These limits have applied since 11 May 2021.
- Junctions without signs: the general rule is to give way to vehicles approaching from your right.
- Roundabouts: vehicles entering must give way to those already driving on the roundabout, unless a sign or traffic light says otherwise.
- New in October 2026: pedestrians have priority on single-level streets, and in queues on motorways and dual carriageways drivers must open a central corridor for emergency vehicles.
Exam tip: Questions in this topic often show a photo of a street or road and ask for the speed limit. Look at the number of lanes in each direction and whether the pavement is level with the road before you answer.
Practise: DGT questions about this topic
- Is this car permitted to pull over?
- Is it permissible to park a motorcycle on the pavement?
- On the inter-urban road shown in the image, is it permissible to pull over or park on the passable unpaved hard shoulder?
- In what type of environment does vehicle driving occur?
- On a very steep and narrow road where two vehicles cannot pass, which vehicle should give way?
The other exam topics
- Manoeuvres and Overtaking
- Traffic Signs and Signals
- Vehicle Lighting and Visibility
- Use of the Vehicle
- Driver and Vehicle Documentation
- Accidents and Emergencies
- Road Safety and Behaviour
- Vehicle Mechanics and Maintenance
- Driving Types and Techniques
Sources
- DGT: speed enforcement campaign, August 2026 (generic speed limits)
- DGT magazine: new speed limits in towns (Royal Decree 970/2020)
- DGT magazine: junctions without priority signs
- DGT: how to drive safely on roundabouts
- DGT: reform of the traffic regulations for vulnerable road users (in force 1 October 2026)
- General Traffic Regulations (Reglamento General de Circulación), BOE