Summary: From 30/01/2026, all scooters must be registered with the DGT (RD 52/2026). Fee included if you use an agency. Requires Cl@ve unless you use an agency.

Is it compulsory?

Yes, since 30 January 2026. Without registration you cannot take out compulsory insurance. Fines: 200 to 800 € for riding without registration. (See penalties)

Documentation

Certified scooter

  • DNI/NIE
  • Certificate no. and serial no.
  • Photo of technical data sheet or photo of plate
  • Official DGT Tax 4.1 (included if using an agency)

NON-certified scooter

  • DNI/NIE
  • Photo of technical data sheet or photo of plate with serial no.
  • Tick "non-certified vehicle"
Transitional registration valid until 22/01/2027. (More info)

Minors

Minors may register a VMP in their name. Attach both IDs: legal guardian and minor.

3 options

1. DGT electronic office

Requires Cl@ve. Pay the DGT official fee directly. Complex site, frequent errors.

2. In person

With a prior appointment at the Traffic Headquarters.

3. Registered agency

No Cl@ve needed. Send documentation, the agency processes it. Prices: 29.95 € to 100 €.

No digital ID?

NT Cars: 29.95 € all inclusive · DGT fee included · 24–48h

Register my scooter →

What do I get?

PDF certificate with plate no. (M XXXX LLL). With it: label (~25 €) + insurance (~35–80 €/year). (Cost breakdown)

Want us to process it?

29.95 € all inclusive · No Cl@ve · 24–48h · Registered no. 4213

Register my scooter

Which scooters must be registered?

The regulation applies to all Personal Mobility Vehicles (VMP): devices with one or more wheels, powered by an electric motor, designed to carry a single person, with speeds between 6 and 25 km/h. Electric scooters — Xiaomi, Segway, Cecotec, Ninebot, Hiboy and similar — fall into this category almost without exception.

If your scooter exceeds 25 km/h or 1,000 W of power (2,500 W in self-balancing models), the DGT reclassifies it as a motor vehicle: it requires a conventional number plate, roadworthiness test and motor vehicle insurance, with a completely different cost and process. The vast majority of domestic market scooters are within the VMP limit and follow the simplified procedure described here.

Scooters bought before 22 January 2024 must also be registered, even if they have no official certificate. They have a transitional regime until 22 January 2027, but registration is compulsory from 30 January 2026.

The online process step by step at the DGT office

If you decide to do it yourself, the process is carried out entirely at the DGT electronic office. You can also do it through the miDGT app. These are the steps:

  1. Access the DGT office and identify yourself. You need Cl@ve Permanente, Cl@ve PIN, an FNMT digital certificate or an electronic DNI. Without one of these digital credentials, you cannot process the registration online.
  2. Select "VMP Registration" within the Vehicles section. The system automatically loads your personal data.
  3. Enter the vehicle details: the certificate number has the format letter + 4 digits (for example, e1*0042). You will find it on the black marking plate of the scooter or by looking it up in the DGT official VMP list. You must also enter the serial number, engraved on the chassis or in the purchase invoice.
  4. Upload the required documentation: a clear photo of the marking plate or the technical data sheet (JPG, PNG or PDF, maximum 10 MB per file).
  5. Pay Tax 4.1 by bank card. This amount is fixed and official for all VMPs.
  6. Download the PDF certificate with the assigned registration number (format M 0000 AAA). You will also receive it by email instantly.
Estimated time: If you have all the documentation ready and access to Cl@ve, the online process takes between 10 and 20 minutes. The certificate is generated immediately.

Common errors when processing at the DGT office

The DGT electronic office is known for being complex. These are the most common problems and how to solve them:

  • "Certificate not found": This can occur with very recent models whose approval has not yet been indexed in the database. Wait 48–72 hours and try again. It may also be due to a wrongly copied certificate number: check that you are using exactly the format shown on your scooter's plate.
  • Wrong fee: Some search engines and websites show outdated information with amounts that correspond to mopeds. The correct fee for VMPs (Tax 4.1) is different and lower. Check the current amount directly at the DGT office before paying.
  • Cl@ve problems: If you do not have Cl@ve activated, the process of obtaining it can take several days (requires a postal letter with an activation code or a personal visit to an authorised office). A registered agency like NT Cars resolves this obstacle: they process on your behalf without you needing any digital credentials.
  • Documentation rejected: Photos of the marking plate must be clear, with the serial number completely legible. Avoid reflections, shadows or blurry images. The DGT may return the process if the image does not meet minimum quality requirements.
  • Error in the serial number: This is the most common error. The serial number is engraved on the scooter's chassis — often in a barely visible area — and in the purchase invoice. They are alphanumeric characters. Copy them carefully, letter by letter.

What to do after receiving the registration certificate

The PDF certificate issued by the DGT is only the first step. To ride legally, you need to complete two further steps:

  1. Obtain the identification label (plate): With the PDF in hand, go to an authorised plate production centre. The label is an approved aluminium strip with the assigned registration number. Approximate cost: 20–40 €. It must be affixed to the scooter in a visible place, usually on the mast or chassis.
  2. Take out the compulsory civil liability insurance: Once you have the registration number, you can take out the insurance required by Law 5/2025. The insurance requires the registration number to issue the policy. Without a plate, there is no insurance; without insurance, you cannot ride legally. (More information on compulsory insurance)

The order is always the same: DGT registration → identification label → civil liability insurance. This cannot be altered.

Essential traffic rules for electric scooters

Once registered and insured, your scooter must comply with the traffic rules established by the Highway Code and municipal by-laws. The most important ones at national level:

  • Prohibited on pavements and pedestrian areas, unless specific signage permits it.
  • Prohibited on motorways, dual carriageways and fast roads.
  • The maximum legal speed of a VMP is 25 km/h, although many municipalities limit it to 20 km/h in shared zones.
  • Prohibited use of mobile phone and headphones while riding.
  • Prohibited riding under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medications affecting driving.
  • Many municipalities require a helmet, especially for minors.
  • The scooter must have front and rear lights for riding in low visibility or at night.
  • Only one person per scooter: no passengers allowed.

Municipal by-laws may impose additional restrictions. Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia and Seville have their own regulations which may differ from national rules. Check your city's by-laws before riding.

Can I register a second-hand scooter?

Yes. The VMP registration process is the same for new or second-hand scooters. What matters is the vehicle's serial number and the model's type-approval certificate (if certified).

If the scooter was already registered to another person, the new owner must process a change of ownership with the DGT. The process is similar to the initial registration and can also be delegated to an agency.

Frequently asked questions about VMP registration

How long does registration take?

If you process it yourself at the DGT office: the certificate is generated instantly, the moment you complete the online process correctly. If NT Cars handles it: 24–48 working hours from the moment you send the complete documentation.

Do I need a driving licence to have an electric scooter?

No. A driving licence is not required to ride a standard VMP (up to 25 km/h). You must be at least 15 years old in most municipalities. Minors may register a VMP in their name with the guardian's ID attached.

Do I have to renew the registration every year?

No. DGT registration is permanent (or temporary until 2027 for non-certified scooters). What must be renewed each year is the compulsory civil liability insurance.

What happens if I get fined before registering?

The fine for riding without registration is 200 to 800 € depending on severity. Registering afterwards does not cancel the penalty already imposed, but does prevent future infractions. The sooner you regularise the situation, the lower the accumulated risk. (See penalty details)

Do rental scooters also need to be registered?

Yes. Fleet operators (Lime, Tier, Bolt and similar) are required to register each vehicle in their fleet. As an occasional user of these services, you are not responsible for the registration.

Based on RD 52/2026 and Law 5/2025. March 2026.