Notice 15/V-113: Authorization to Test Automated Driving Systems
Spain · Guideline · Directorate General of Traffic (DGT)
Our summary
This instruction establishes procedures for authorizing tests of vehicles with automated driving capabilities on public roads open to general traffic in Spain. It sets requirements for applicants, vehicle specifications, driver qualifications, and technical certification processes. It defines autonomous vehicles as those with technology enabling operation without active driver control at automation levels 3-5, and authorizations are valid for up to two years with possible renewal.
Written by the Index in our own words. It is not legal advice; the official text is the authority.
Inside this policy
Every section of this policy in order. Our notes summarise each one in plain language and do not quote the official text, which is the authority.
Drafted by the Index An automated summary of the official text, not yet reviewed by a person.Reviewed Checked by a person against the official text.
8 sections
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1 Requirements to obtain authorization for automated vehicle testing
Vehicle manufacturers, second-phase manufacturers, official laboratories, technology providers enabling vehicle autonomy, universities and research consortia may request authorization for testing automated driving systems, provided they submit all required documentation and each autonomous vehicle is uniquely identified with insurance coverage up to mandatory motor vehicle insurance limits plus liability for damages during testing on public roads. Drivers must hold a valid driving license of the applicable vehicle category for at least two years.
2 Scope of authorization
Authorization is nationwide and specifies authorized urban and interurban road sections. Authorization holders are responsible for technical adequacy and compliance with all requirements. Authorization lasts maximum two years and may be renewed for identical periods.
3 Submission of applications
Applicants must submit a completed form to the Mobility Management Directorate, pay the required fee, provide a descriptive report covering technology description, driver training plans, test zone details and test procedures, and submit a certificate from an accredited technical service or evidence of equivalent authorization from another EU member state.
4 Decision procedure
The Mobility Management Director decides whether to grant or deny authorization within one month of registration, or one month after receiving required reports from other administrations with traffic competence. The authorization specifies the test type, route and conditions. Technical services with pending accreditation may issue certificates for one year if they declare competence.
5 Coordination of procedures
The Mobility Management Directorate coordinates authorization procedures for automated driving vehicle testing on public roads and may modify related annexes and administrative procedures as needed.
6 Entrada en vigor
8 Straight line driving up to 90 km/h
Test verification checks for absence of deviation, vibrations, noises or other anomalies during straight driving, and confirms proper functioning of engine, transmission and clutch during normal driving below 120 km/h without anomalies, including retarder system activation where applicable.
10 General assessment up to 90 km/h
A validator determines whether the vehicle is fit for use based on static and dynamic checks performed by other verifiers, and must personally verify unclear results. Test participants must carry reflective vests for track driving and reflective vests plus emergency triangles for public road driving.
Controls
What this policy requires, forbids, grants or penalises, one control at a time and in our own words. Each control links to the official text, which is the authority. This is not legal advice.
Drafted by the Index Drafted automatically from the official text, not yet reviewed by a person.Reviewed Checked by a person against the official text.
Themes covered 9 of 35
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Risk and scope 0 of 4
- Risk classification, not covered
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Data and privacy 0 of 4
- Data governance and quality, not covered
- Data subject rights and consent, not covered
- Cross-border data transfer, not covered
- Copyright and training data, not covered
Transparency and records 3 of 4
- Labelling of synthetic content, not covered
Technical safeguards 3 of 4
- Bias and non-discrimination, not covered
Assurance and lifecycle 1 of 4
- Registration and notification, not covered
- Incident and breach reporting, not covered
- Post-market monitoring and corrective action, not covered
Rights and protected groups 0 of 4
- Automated decision-making rights, not covered
- Children and vulnerable groups, not covered
- Biometric identification and surveillance, not covered
- Whistleblowing, complaints and redress, not covered
Roles and organisation 2 of 6
- Supply chain and provider-deployer duties, not covered
- General purpose and foundation models, not covered
- Accountability and governance roles, not covered
- Innovation support and sandboxes, not covered
Enforcement and sectors 0 of 5
- Enforcement, penalties and regulators, not covered
- Sector rules: health, not covered
- Sector rules: finance and insurance, not covered
- Sector rules: employment, not covered
- Sector rules: education, not covered
The full list of controls could not be loaded, so only the first 29 are shown.
1 7 controls
- Applies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Vehicle manufacturers, second-phase manufacturers, official laboratories, autonomous technology providers, universities and research consortiums may apply for testing authorization.
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Applicants must provide all documentation required by regulation, this instruction and any other applicable rules.
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Each autonomous vehicle must be uniquely identified by the applicant.
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
The vehicle owner or any party interested in insuring the vehicle must subscribe to and maintain active motor liability insurance covering mandatory limits and civil liability for damages to people or property during public road testing.
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
The vehicle owner must demonstrate that the vehicle has passed procedures at a technical service accredited by the National Accreditation Entity or that an equivalent prior control authorization has been issued by an EU member state authority.
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
The applicant must designate and identify a test driver or drivers.
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
The applicant must provide a declaration attesting to the skills and training of the designated drivers in autonomous technology.
2 5 controls
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
Authorization covers a nationwide scope and specifies the urban and interurban road sections where the vehicle may be tested.
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Authorization holders are responsible for ensuring vehicles have appropriate technical characteristics for public roads and comply with all requirements.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
Authorization lasts a maximum of two years and may be renewed for identical successive periods.
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Vehicles must operate in conventional mode when traveling outside the authorized scope.
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Vehicles must be registered or obtain temporary circulation authorization.
3 4 controls
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Applicants must submit a completed form to the Mobility Management Directorate.
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Applicants must pay the required fee according to traffic administration fee regulations.
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Applicants must provide a descriptive report covering technology description, safety principles, autonomous mode activation, autonomous driving level, driver training plans, test zone details and general testing and trial procedures.
- ObligationApplies to: ProviderDrafted by the Index
Applicants must submit a certificate from an accredited technical service or evidence of equivalent prior authorization from another EU member state for the same technology and configuration.
4 4 controls
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The Mobility Management Director must grant or deny authorization within one month of registration or one month after receiving required reports from other traffic-competent administrations.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The authorization must specify the type of trial, itinerary and other conditions for the testing.
- Applies to: OthersDrafted by the Index
Technical services with pending accreditation may issue certificates for one year if they declare competence through responsible declaration, as an adaptation period from this instruction.
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The traffic authority must forward the authorization to administrations with traffic competence in the territorial scope where testing occurs.
5 2 controls
- ObligationApplies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The Mobility Management Directorate should coordinate procedures for authorizing tests of automated driving vehicles on public roads.
- Applies to: Public authorityDrafted by the Index
The Mobility Management Directorate may modify related annexes and administrative procedures as necessary.
8 3 controls
- ObligationApplies to: OthersDrafted by the Index
Verifiers must confirm the absence of deviation, vibrations, noises or other anomalies during straight line driving.
- ObligationApplies to: OthersDrafted by the Index
Verifiers must confirm proper functioning of engine, transmission and clutch during normal driving below 120 km/h without anomalies.
- ObligationApplies to: OthersDrafted by the Index
Verifiers must confirm activation of the retarder system where applicable.
Applies when: where applicable
10 4 controls
- ObligationApplies to: OthersDrafted by the Index
A validator must determine whether the vehicle is fit for use based on static and dynamic checks performed by other verifiers.
- ObligationApplies to: OthersDrafted by the Index
If a validator finds any result insufficiently clear, the validator must personally verify it.
- ObligationApplies to: AnyoneDrafted by the Index
Test participants must carry a reflective vest when driving on test tracks.
Applies when: track driving
- ObligationApplies to: AnyoneDrafted by the Index
Test participants must carry a reflective vest and emergency triangles when driving on public roads.
Applies when: public road driving
Change history
No changes recorded since we began monitoring this policy.