Certified vs non-certified scooter
DGT: differences and what to do

What is a certified scooter?

It complies with the VMP Characteristics Manual. It has a marking plate (black metal plate) with a certificate number and serial number.

How do I know if it is certified?

1. Look for the black plate

On the base, mast or motor area.

2. Official DGT list

Check the complete list of certified VMP vehicles.

Can non-certified scooters circulate?

Yes, temporarily. Transitional regime until 22/01/2027. They must be registered, insured and carry the label.

Key differences

• Certified: permanent registration. ID + certificate number + serial number.
• Non-certified: temporary registration. ID + photo of technical sheet/plate.
• Both: compulsory insurance + identification label.

The history behind certification: why this distinction exists

Before 22 January 2024, any manufacturer could sell electric scooters in Spain without the model needing to meet official technical standards approved by the DGT. This created a very heterogeneous market: from high-quality, safe scooters to models that exceeded legal speed or power limits without the buyer knowing.

To bring order to the market and ensure that all VMP vehicles circulating on public roads meet minimum safety requirements, the DGT published the VMP Characteristics Manual and established the mandatory certification system. From that date, manufacturers must submit their models to a type-approval process and, if they meet the standards, obtain an official certificate registered in the DGT database.

What does the certification plate guarantee?

The black marking plate on certified scooters is not merely a decorative label. It certifies that the model has undergone a technical verification process guaranteeing:

• Maximum speed of 25 km/h: the speed limiter is effective and cannot be easily tampered with.
• Motor power: within legal limits (≤1,000 W for standard models, ≤2,500 W for self-balancing ones).
• Weight: under 50 kg.
• Safety systems: brakes, lights, acoustic signals and stability within the parameters of the VMP Characteristics Manual.

The certificate number (format: letter + 4 digits, e.g. e1*0042) is unique for each certified model and appears both on the physical plate and on the DGT's official VMP list.

How to check in detail whether your scooter is certified

These are all the available methods to check:

1. Look for the black marking plate

Certified scooters have a black aluminium or steel plate fixed at the factory to the frame. It is normally located at the base of the mast, on the underside of the deck or near the motor. The plate includes:

• Certificate number (starting with a letter followed by 4 digits)
• Serial number (unique to each unit)
• Brand and model
• Year of manufacture and country of origin

2. Check the official DGT list

The DGT maintains an up-to-date public list of certified VMP models. You can search for your brand and model to see if it appears. If it does, the scooter is certified. If not, it probably is not.

3. Check the purchase date

A useful general rule: if you bought the scooter after 22 January 2024 from an official retailer, it is almost certainly certified (the law requires distributors to sell only certified models from that date). If you bought it before, or through second-hand, direct import or unofficial channels, it may not be certified.

4. Check the manufacturer's invoice and documentation

Documentation from the manufacturer of certified models will include the DGT certificate number. If your invoice or manual makes no mention of a certificate number, it is likely not certified.

The transitional regime: what it means in practice

For non-certified scooters (bought before 22 January 2024 or acquired without a certificate), the DGT established a grace period that allows continued use under certain conditions:

• They must be registered with the DGT before the deadline (the registration process started on 30 January 2026).
• Registration for non-certified scooters is called "transitional registration" and is valid until 22 January 2027.
• They must obtain the identification label and compulsory insurance, just like certified ones.
• After 22 January 2027, non-certified scooters cannot circulate on public roads.

What to do if your scooter is not certified and you cannot certify it?

Some owners of non-certified scooters wonder whether there is any way to "certify" their model retroactively. The answer, in most cases, is no: certification is a process carried out by the manufacturer or distributor with the DGT, not by the individual owner.

If you have a non-certified scooter, these are your options:

• Keep riding it until 22 January 2027: register it with transitional registration, get the label and insurance, and make the most of the remaining grace period.
• Sell or give it away: while it remains in circulation, the new owner must handle the change of ownership and the new scooter will carry the same temporary restriction.
• Replace it with a certified model: if you plan to keep using a scooter after 2027, investing in a certified model is mandatory. Many current models from well-known brands are on the official list.
• Deregister it permanently: if you no longer want to use it, file the deregistration with the DGT and take it to a clean point or authorised electrical waste recycling centre (WEEE).

Documentation differences for registration by type

The registration process is very similar for both types, but with these key differences in documentation:

• Certified: you need the DGT certificate number (letter + 4 digits) + serial number. The DGT system automatically recognises the model when the certificate is entered.
• Non-certified: there is no certificate number. You must enter the serial number, select the "non-certified vehicle" option and upload a photo of the marking plate or technical data sheet. The DGT still assigns a registration number, but the registration is marked as transitional.

In both cases, the official DGT fee (Tax 4.1) is the same. And in both cases, once the certificate is obtained, the subsequent steps are identical: identification label + compulsory insurance.

Frequently asked questions about VMP certification

Can I find out if my specific model is certified without looking at it physically?

Yes. Search for the brand and model on the official DGT list of certified VMP vehicles. If it appears, it is certified. If not, check the physical plate on the scooter.

Can I register a non-certified scooter if the transitional period has expired?

After 22 January 2027, non-certified scooters cannot be registered or ridden. The transitional registration process is only available while the grace period is in force.

Can a certified scooter lose its certification?

No. Once a model has the DGT certificate, it retains its certification indefinitely, unless the DGT revokes it for subsequently detected non-compliance (which is very rare). A certified scooter will remain certified over the years.

Are rental scooters (Lime, Tier) certified?

Generally yes. Rental fleet companies must comply with the regulations and their vehicles are registered. As a user, you do not need to worry about the administrative status of rental scooters.

Can my Chinese-brand scooter with no official distributor in Spain be certified?

Only if the manufacturer or importer has started the type-approval process with the DGT. Many models from lesser-known brands or direct imports are not on the list, which makes them non-certified. If you bought one of these models, you fall under the transitional regime.

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