Murcia has had its first Mobility Bylaw since 17 May 2024, with a chapter devoted to scooters: it sets the minimum age at 15, sets out where you can ride and creates a voluntary local register. National law adds to this: DGT registration has been compulsory since 30 January 2026 (Royal Decree 52/2026) and, from 1 October 2026, the rules of Royal Decree 518/2026 apply.
| Topic | What applies in Murcia | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Registration and insurance | DGT registration compulsory since 30/01/2026. The bylaw only recommended insurance for private owners; it is now compulsory under Law 5/2025, and the DGT fines €250 to €800 for riding without it. | RD 52/2026; Bylaw, art. 48; Law 5/2025 |
| Minimum age | 15. Below that age, only in areas closed to traffic, with a scooter suited to the rider's age, height and weight, and under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Riding under the permitted age is a serious offence (€101 to €200). | Bylaw, arts. 48 and 123; RD 518/2026 |
| Helmet | The bylaw only recommends it. From 1/10/2026 it is compulsory under national law (approved or certified, and fastened); without one, a serious offence with a €200 fine. | Bylaw, art. 48; RD 518/2026 |
| Carrying a passenger | Banned: only one rider per scooter. | Bylaw, art. 48 |
| Phones and headphones | Riding is banned with headphones connected to a device, with a phone, or with any communication system that has to be operated by hand. | Bylaw, art. 48 |
| Pavements and pedestrian areas | Banned, except in areas shared with other vehicles, and there only at walking pace. Riding in a banned area is a serious offence (€101 to €200), and a very serious one (up to €500) if it seriously endangers other people. | Bylaw, arts. 49 and 123; Murcia Local Police |
| Non-certified scooters | Those sold from 22/01/2024 must be certified; earlier ones may be ridden without a certificate until 22/01/2027. | Bylaw, art. 48; RD 52/2026 |
| Bylaw fines | Minor offences, up to €100; serious, €101 to €200; very serious, €201 to €500. Riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs, €1,000. | Bylaw, art. 123 |
Where can you ride a scooter in Murcia?
The bylaw sets an order of preference:
- Bike lanes at carriageway level, without exceeding the lane's maximum speed.
- Pavement cycle lanes (bike lanes marked on the pavement), at up to 10 km/h.
- Single-platform streets, 30 zones, 20 zones and other shared-space areas.
- Cycle streets and one-way streets limited to 30 km/h.
- Lanes signposted at 30 km/h on multi-lane streets.
You cannot ride on pavements or pedestrian areas, except in areas shared with other vehicles, and there only at walking pace; if you need to cross one, get off and wheel the scooter on foot. On bike lanes and the carriageway, keep to the right and signal turns and overtaking in good time.
Where can you park a scooter in Murcia?
In bicycle parking spaces, under the same rules. Parking on the pavement is not allowed, except where the City Council designates space for it. You also cannot lock it to trees, street furniture or traffic signs, or leave it at pedestrian crossings, bus stops, spaces for people with reduced mobility, or public bike stations. If it is left outside a bike parking area for more than 72 hours, or looks abandoned, the City Council can take it to the pound; before that, the police photograph it and leave a notice on the spot.
Does Murcia have a municipal scooter register?
Yes, but it is voluntary: the bylaw lets you register your scooter with the City Council, giving its make, model, frame or serial number, certification number and the owner's details, so it can be identified if it is stolen, in an accident or badly parked. It does not replace DGT registration, which is compulsory for riding since 30 January 2026 and is the one we handle. Non-certified scooters, sold before 22 January 2024, can also be registered with the DGT and may be ridden until 22 January 2027 (what to do with a non-certified scooter).
Can you take your scooter on the bus, the tram or Cercanías trains in Murcia?
Not on the bus or the tram. Urban and pedanía buses have not accepted scooters since August 2024: the operator banned them, along with e-bikes, because of battery fires on public transport. Tranvía de Murcia (the city's tram operator) doesn't accept them either, by decision of the City Council. Renfe's Cercanías trains, however, have accepted them since 7 September 2026, subject to conditions.
| Transport | Scooters allowed? | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Urban and pedanía buses | No | Banned since August 2024 over the fire risk from batteries; e-bikes too. |
| Tranvía de Murcia | No | Banned by decision of the City Council, to protect passengers. |
| Renfe trains (Cercanías, Media Distancia and Larga Distancia) | Yes, since 7/09/2026 | Only certified scooters, registered with the DGT, with the label visible and insured; folded, switched off, in the luggage area and not charged on board. |
What does Royal Decree 518/2026 add from 1 October?
In Murcia, the most visible change is the helmet: the bylaw only recommended it, and from 1 October 2026 it is compulsory for everyone, approved or certified and fastened. The national minimum age, 15, matches the bylaw's. You must also always ride with lights on (in daylight, from 1 October 2027) and, after dark or in poor visibility, a light or reflective item visible from 150 metres, and signal turns with your arm. All the changes from 1 October.
How do we register your scooter from Murcia?
Everything is done remotely: you fill in the registration form, upload your documents and the scooter's (which documents you need) and we file the registration with the DGT. You pay €35 with the DGT fee (€8.67) included and receive the registration certificate in PDF in under 24 hours once your documents are complete, with no appointment at a traffic office. It works the same whether you live in Murcia or its pedanías (outlying districts) or anywhere else in the Region.
You need legal residence in Spain and your DNI or NIE, and the DGT requires you to identify yourself with one of these three methods: Cl@ve PIN, a digital certificate or a Spanish driving licence. If you have a Spanish driving licence, you don't need Cl@ve or a digital certificate: we identify you with your licence and handle the whole procedure for you. The licence is only used to identify you; you don't need one to ride a scooter (more about registering without Cl@ve).
Registration does not include the identification plate (the identification label the DGT requires, which many people call a number plate or sticker). You can order it separately for €15 + €4.95 shipping or choose the registration + plate pack for €45 + €4.95, and we send it to your home in 3 to 7 working days; we make it ourselves as an authorised plate manufacturer. With the certificate you can take out insurance: we send you a partner's link, from €44 (compulsory insurance). And if you're ever in Barcelona and would rather do it in person, book an appointment at our office at Calle Rosselló, 216, 6th floor (Eixample), Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00, on WhatsApp (+34 634 434 485) or by email (patinetes@ntcars.es).
Sources
- Royal Decree 52/2026 (BOE, 30/01/2026): the obligation to register your scooter and the deadline for non-certified models (in Spanish).
- Royal Decree 518/2026 (BOE) and DGT press release of 23/06/2026: helmets, age, lights and pavements across Spain from 1/10/2026 (in Spanish).
- Law 5/2025 and DGT press release of 27/01/2026: compulsory insurance and the fines for riding without it (in Spanish).
- Murcia City Council Mobility Bylaw (Region of Murcia Official Gazette (BORM) no. 95, 25/04/2024), articles 40, 41, 48 to 50 and 123: riding rules, age, the local register, parking, impoundment and fines (in Spanish).
- Murcia Local Police (16/05/2024): the bylaw taking effect on 17/05/2024 and the fines for riding on the pavement (in Spanish).
- La Opinión de Murcia (22/08/2024) and Murciaplaza (27/08/2024): the ban on electric scooters on buses (in Spanish).
- Tranvía de Murcia (17/09/2024): the ban on electric scooters on the tram (in Spanish).
- Renfe (4/09/2026): which trains accept scooters from 7/09/2026 and on what conditions (in Spanish).