The DGT Confirms: Speed Restrictions and Requirements for Historic Cars

The DGT Confirms: Speed Restrictions and Requirements for Historic Cars

Courtesy of Laura Plaza Rodríguez, Diario Málaga Hoy, translated by Steven Robinson

These types of vehicles can qualify as historic in two ways: by being over 30 years old or by having a “special” interest or uniqueness. Andalusia ranks as the second autonomous community with the highest number of registered historic vehicles, with 23,275, according to 2025 data. The Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) highlighted the increase in registrations in Spain following the entry into force of the new regulation, totaling 175,753 vehicles—quadrupling the 48,000 registered two years ago.

Requirements for Cars or Mopeds
Cars or mopeds must meet a series of requirements, including being over 30 years old or possessing “special interest or uniqueness.” In addition, they are subject to circulation restrictions related to maximum speeds. For example, vehicles that do not reach 60 kms per hour cannot travel on highways or expressways.

Requirements to Qualify as a Historic Vehicle

• By age: Vehicles must be at least 30 years old from their first registration or manufacture and must be in their original condition. The DGT specifies that they cannot have undergone changes to components such as the engine, brakes, steering, or bodywork.
• By special interest: Vehicles registered in the General Inventory of Movable Assets of the Spanish Historical Heritage, corresponding to vehicles that participated in a historic event or belonged to a notable personality.

Higher Speed Limits and Circulation Restrictions
Due to their special status and characteristics, owners must comply with specific regulations.

First, the DGT reminds that these vehicles can only be driven occasionally, not exceeding 96 days per year. Historic vehicles are also prohibited from being used for daily transportation, public passenger services, freight, or agricultural activities.

They must follow the general traffic rules that apply to other vehicles, including having mandatory insurance and a valid ITV inspection. However, they have certain circulation limits based on their characteristics, such as maximum speed and lighting:

• Vehicles that do not exceed 40 km/h must drive on the shoulder whenever possible.
• Vehicles that do not reach 60 km/h cannot travel on highways or expressways.
• Vehicles without seat belts are limited to a maximum speed of 80 km/h.
• Children 135 cm or shorter cannot travel in historic vehicles without seat belts.
• Regarding lights and signalling, these vehicles cannot be driven in darkness, from sunset to sunrise, or in conditions requiring lighting, since their age or characteristics prevent them from having the “required optical lighting and signalling systems,” explains the DGT.

ITV (Technical Vehicle Inspection) Schedule
Regarding ITV inspections, historic vehicles are divided as follows:

• Vehicles less than 40 years old must be inspected every 2 years.
• Vehicles between 40 and 45 years old must be inspected every 5 years.
• Vehicles older than 45 years must be inspected every 4 years.