Terrassa regulates scooters in its Mobility Bylaw (Ordenança de Mobilitat), in force since 11 January 2021: it treats a scooter as a vehicle that belongs on the road, not on the pavement, in a city where the general speed limit is 30 km/h. On top of that, scooters have had to be registered with the DGT since 30 January 2026 (Royal Decree 52/2026), and from 1 October 2026 Royal Decree 518/2026 applies, which goes further than the bylaw on minimum age and helmets.
What does Terrassa's Mobility Bylaw say?
| Topic | What the bylaw says | Article |
|---|---|---|
| Where you can ride | Streets limited to 30 km/h or less, cycle paths, shared streets, pedestrian areas and parks (under the bylaw's conditions), and anywhere bicycles can go, except bus lanes not opened to VMPs. | Art. 35 |
| Pavements | You cannot ride on the pavement, except on a cycle lane built on the pavement, at up to 10 km/h and giving way to pedestrians. | Arts. 38 and 41 |
| Speeds | 30 km/h on protected cycle lanes on the road; 20 km/h on shared streets; 10 km/h in pedestrian areas, parks and on pavement cycle lanes; and 5 km/h when crossing a pedestrian crossing from a pavement cycle lane. | Arts. 38 to 42 |
| Minimum age | 14 “or the age set by any future legislation”. From 1/10/2026 national law sets 15. | Art. 35; RD 518/2026 |
| Helmet | Compulsory for under-16s. From 1/10/2026, compulsory for everyone (approved or certified, and fastened). | Art. 46; RD 518/2026 |
| Passengers | Only one person may ride. | Art. 35 |
| Headphones and phone | No riding with headphones plugged in or while handling your phone; set up any sat nav before you set off. | Art. 36 |
| Bell and lights | A bell is compulsory, and no other audible warning device is allowed. At night or in poor visibility, front and rear lights or reflective items on your clothing. | Art. 46 |
| Parking | Preferably in bike and VMP parking spaces. You may not lock it to trees, traffic lights, benches, bins, bus shelters or stop posts, or leave it on the pavement with less than 1.80 m of clear space. | Art. 48 |
What fines does Terrassa impose on scooter riders?
The table of offences the City Council published in the Barcelona Province Official Gazette (BOP) on 3 November 2025 sets, among others, these fines for scooter riders: €100 for riding on the pavement or in a pedestrian area; €80 for riding outside the permitted places, carrying a passenger, parking without leaving 1.80 m clear or riding at night without lights or reflective items; €200 for using headphones or your phone or running a red light; and €200 if a rider under 16 has no helmet. If you pay within the early-payment period, the amount is halved.
Where can't you ride in Terrassa's town centre?
Riding a scooter is banned on some streets in the town-centre pedestrian areas. In May 2024 the City Council announced it was extending that ban to 15 more streets, including carrer Major, Raval de Montserrat, plaça Vella and passeig Comte d'Ègara. Wherever you see the “A peu” (on foot) sign, get off and walk. In the other pedestrian areas you can ride at up to 10 km/h, always giving way to pedestrians, and you must get off when it is crowded or you cannot keep 1.5 metres away from people.
What does the City Council say about registration, insurance and equipment?
The council's page on personal mobility vehicles lists the national obligations: registering the scooter in the DGT Vehicle Register, having insurance, holding a circulation certificate (non-certified scooters placed on the market before 22/01/2024 can be ridden until 22/01/2027) and displaying the identification label, with a number in the format M 0000 AAA. It also lists the scooter's equipment: independent brakes, a white front light and a red rear light, reflectors, an audible warning device, wheels of at least 8 inches, an anti-tampering system and a holder for the label.
Can I take my scooter on the train or the bus in Terrassa?
On FGC (line S1, which runs to Nacions Unides in Terrassa) you cannot travel with electric scooters or monowheels, or take them into stations. On Rodalies (the R4 stops in Terrassa) the ban has been indefinite since 1 February 2023, and the fine is €200. According to El Nacional, on 22 September 2026 the ATM (the Autoritat del Transport Metropolità, Barcelona's metropolitan transport authority) was studying how to allow scooters again, so check the rules before you travel.
Renfe has accepted scooters since 7 September 2026 on its Media Distancia and Larga Distancia (medium- and long-distance) trains, but not on Rodalies de Catalunya: you cannot take one on the R4, although you can on a medium- or long-distance train if the scooter is certified, registered, with the label visible and insured, and travels folded and switched off. Terrassa's TMESA city buses were left out of the ATM ban when it started in February 2023, according to Canal Terrassa and 3Cat. Check with TMESA before you board.
What does Royal Decree 518/2026 add from 1 October?
In Terrassa, national law goes further than the bylaw on two points: the minimum age becomes 15 and helmets are compulsory for everyone, with a €200 fine if you don't wear one. It also requires the lights to be on at all times (in daylight, from 1 October 2027) and, after dark or in poor visibility, a light or reflective item that can be seen from 150 metres. You can never ride on the pavement, and in pedestrian areas only if the City Council allows it. You must also signal turns with your arm, and anyone who rides a scooter for work must always wear a high-visibility vest. All the changes from 1 October.
How do we register your scooter if you live in Terrassa?
The whole procedure is done online, with no appointment at a traffic office: you fill in the form, upload your documents and your scooter's (the technical data sheet with the certificate number and a photo of the manufacturer's plate) and the gestoría submits it to the DGT. 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. The registration certificate reaches your inbox in under 24 hours once your documents are complete, whether you live in the town centre or in Ca n'Anglada, Can Parellada or La Maurina. Check the documents you need first.
If you would rather come in person, we can see you by appointment at our office at Calle Rosselló, 216, 6th floor (08008 Barcelona), in the Eixample, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 19:00. Book an appointment on WhatsApp (+34 634 434 485) or by email (patinetes@ntcars.es).
Sources
- Royal Decree 52/2026 (BOE, 30/01/2026): where the obligation to register your scooter comes from (in Spanish).
- Royal Decree 518/2026 (BOE) and DGT press release of 23/06/2026: helmets, age, lights and pavements from 1/10/2026 (in Spanish).
- DGT press release of 27/01/2026: fines for riding without insurance (in Spanish).
- Terrassa City Council: guide to the Mobility Bylaw and text of the bylaw (BOP of 15/12/2020, in force since 11/01/2021): where to ride, speeds, age, helmets, lights and parking (in Spanish and Catalan).
- Terrassa City Council: personal mobility vehicles and VMP riding guide: registration, insurance, equipment, two-lane streets and the “A peu” sign (in Spanish and Catalan).
- Barcelona Province Official Gazette (BOP, 03/11/2025): Terrassa's table of fines (in Catalan).
- Terrassa City Council press releases (27/05/2024) and MónTerrassa (27/05/2024): 15 more town-centre streets where riding a VMP is banned (in Catalan).
- FGC terms of use and line S1: scooter ban on trains and in stations.
- Rodalies de Catalunya and R4 timetable: indefinite ban (€200) and stops in Terrassa (in Spanish).
- Renfe (04/09/2026): which trains accept scooters from 7/09/2026 (in Spanish).
- El Nacional (22/09/2026): the ATM is studying allowing scooters again (in Spanish).
- Canal Terrassa (01/02/2023) and 3Cat (09/03/2023): TMESA buses left out of the ATM ban (in Catalan).