Spain is set to allow 17-year-olds to get behind the wheel, but they won’t be driving alone.
Under a new European directive approved in November 2025, teenagers will be able to obtain a standard category B driving licence a year earlier than before.
However, until they turn 18, they must always be accompanied by an experienced adult in the passenger seat.
The change is part of a wider EU effort to modernise driving rules and is based on a system already used in countries like Germany. Spain has until November 2028 to fully implement it.
Supervised driving comes with strict rules
The accompanying adult isn’t just there for company. They must meet specific criteria and be capable of guiding the young driver at all times.
They need to be at least 24 years old, hold a valid licence for the same category of vehicle, and must not have been banned from driving. They’re also expected to follow the same strict rules on alcohol and drugs as the driver.
Each country can also limit how many designated supervisors a young driver can have and may introduce additional conditions.
A special code for young drivers
Seventeen-year-olds will still need to pass both the theory and practical driving tests. The training system itself won’t change.
Once they qualify, their licence will include a specific code marking them as under-18 drivers. This indicates they are only allowed to drive when accompanied.
Who benefits most?
Traffic authorities say the system could be particularly useful for young people in rural areas or those who need to travel for education, such as university students.
While it offers more independence, the supervised model is designed to ease new drivers into the road safely rather than giving them full freedom straight away.
