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The B1 driving licence works well in much of Europe including the United Kingdom, France and Portugal, and now the DGT is considering implementing the category for younger people in Spain. Both its benefit and perhaps main weakness is that the B1 licence would allow youngsters from the age of 16 to drive quadricycles – small cars, mostly without emissions whose maximum power is less than or equal to 15 kw. The cars generally weigh between 400 and 500 kilograms and can travel up to 90 kilometres per hour.

 

If implemented in Spain, the new permit, which is a level below the B category for driving passenger vehicles, would greatly empower around one million younger people by providing freer access to electric mobility, according to supporters of the move.

 

According to PONS Seguridad Vial, this licence would lead to greater road safety since it would provide older teens with “rational and staggered access to driving cars”. The B1 would also permit them to drive L7 quadricycles, which have rollover protection structures (ROPS) that help shield drivers in the event of an accident. In addition, most of these L7 heavy-duty vehicles are electric and meet European CO2 emission standards.

 

The project is still in the very early stages with many details, such as driving test requirements, to be ironed out, but as of now the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has confirmed that it is “open to implementing the B1 permit in Spain”.

 

Currently in Spain 15-year-olds are permitted to drive a light tricycle or microcar with a maximum speed of 45 km/hour while at 16, the A1 licence allows youngsters to ride motorcycles up to 125cc.

 

Image: Renault