Fines and removal of PMD: what it can cost you not to insure your electric scooter
Personal mobility vehicles (PMVs), such as electric scooters, are changing the way we get around the city. But, like anything trendy, they also come with their own law and fine on the back. The DGT no longer tolerates you riding without insuring your PMV and, for that reason, has implemented a national registry where it is mandatory to register these vehicles.
If you have a scooter that can go between 6 and 25 km/h, you need insurance and a license plate, yes, a kind of plate that identifies your vehicle. Failing to do so can be very costly, not just with a fine, but also with the seizure of your PMV.
The DGT’s new regulation for PMVs
🎯 Lost license points: Does not apply
📅 In effect since: January 2, 2026
🏛️ Authority: Directorate General of Traffic (DGT)
What is the national PMV registry?
The Royal Decree approved by the Council of Ministers has created the National Registry of Light Personal Vehicles, an essential step to legally insure any scooter or electric bike. This registry assigns a registration number and an identification sticker that you must place on your vehicle, almost like a license plate.
What penalties does non-compliance entail?
The DGT has been clear: not having insurance can cost you between 202 and 610 euros in fines. Also, riding without insurance entails an even higher fine, which can reach up to 800 euros. In some cases, the vehicle can also be confiscated. And we’re not talking about license points, because in this case they do not apply, but your wallet definitely takes a hit.
How to register your PMV and avoid problems
Registration process and obtaining a license plate
The registration procedure is done online through the DGT, and then you can pick up the identification sticker at any authorized center, almost like when you get a car’s license plate. If you buy a new PMV, soon you will be able to register it directly at the store, which will make life much easier.
Changes of ownership and permanent deregistration
If you are going to sell or change the owner of your scooter, you have 30 days to complete the procedure. Permanent deregistration must be managed at an authorized center, which will report the destruction to the registry. This prevents unregistered scooters from circulating uncontrolled in the city.
The reality of personal mobility and DGT control
Why so much insistence on PMVs?
The reality is that more than four million people in Spain already use these vehicles. The DGT has seen the need to set order to avoid accidents and confusing legal responsibilities. The registry and insurance are ways to protect everyone: drivers and pedestrians.
Fines and seizure: what can happen if you don’t comply?
If you break the rules, you not only risk paying up to 800 euros in fines, but the police can also confiscate your vehicle. This measure aims to curb the circulation of uninsured or unregistered PMVs. It’s no joke: the DGT has already warned that it will enforce these sanctions with full force.
The new regulation has been received with mixed opinions. An independent mechanic consulted in 2026 says that “the regulation is necessary, but the bureaucracy can scare off many occasional users.” A DGT spokesperson adds that “road safety is the priority, and these changes are an essential step.”
The reality is that, if you have an electric scooter or a personal mobility vehicle, now it’s time to pay up and get it compliant if you want to avoid unpleasant surprises. It may seem like a hassle, but what is clear is that the DGT spares no effort when it comes to putting order in a realm that is growing without brakes.
