The landscape of mobility is undergoing a significant shift. Spanish roads feature a newly imposed red badge mandatory for vehicles involved in autonomous driving trials. This measure, implemented by the DGT (the Spanish Traffic Authority), is unrelated to environmental classifications such as emissions but signals a key advance in integrating disruptive technologies into everyday traffic. It places Spain at the forefront of European innovation in this strategic sector.
Unlike environmental stickers that categorise vehicles by their pollutant output, this red label serves solely an identification purpose. It enables the immediate recognition of prototypes actively undergoing experimental trials, streamlining both police oversight and interaction with other road users. The badge must be affixed to the lower left corner of the windscreen, a location chosen for optimal visibility and regulatory consistency.
This rollout is part of a broader push by the DGT to establish Spain as a real-world testing ground for automotive innovation. According to the agency, the aim "is not just to allow companies to test their technological developments, but to do so within a clear, safe and traceable regulatory framework that safeguards all participants involved in the traffic ecosystem."
Regulatory framework and testing stages
The introduction of this badge is aligned with the ES-AV Programme, a structured approach encompassing three progressive phases designed to validate autonomous driving technologies step-by-step. The first phase occurs in controlled, closed settings, such as private circuits or restricted areas, where manufacturers can assess fundamental system behaviours away from unpredictable elements.
Next, the prototypes are introduced to more realistic traffic conditions under close supervision. Here, vehicles interact with real traffic, pedestrians, signage, and varying weather conditions, allowing developers to detect faults and fine-tune response algorithms. The final phase involves near-commercial ready vehicles operating with minimal human intervention, tasked with demonstrating fully autonomous and safe operation.
This tiered methodology serves to minimise risks and supports the collection of critical data to improve the artificial intelligence systems guiding these vehicles. Each phase demands increasing levels of technical and administrative compliance, ensuring no prototype drives without the necessary guarantees.
Technical and administrative requirements
Manufacturers wishing to participate and obtain the red label must meet stringent criteria. Firstly, securing a specific administrative authorisation from competent authorities is essential. This authorisation assesses the technical feasibility and safety of the proposed projects.
The vehicles are also required to embed data logging systems that record, in real-time, their on-road performance. Such documentation is crucial for incident investigation, enabling a reconstruction of events and responsibility determination. Hence, traceability of tests forms a core pillar of Spain's regulatory model.
Another mandatory element is obtaining civil liability insurance tailored to the unique risks posed by autonomous driving. As traditional policies may not fully cover these novel technologies, insurance providers have developed specialised products to address these requirements.
Lastly, each vehicle must have qualified personnel either onboard or supervising remotely capable of intervening if the system fails. Known as the safety operator, this person represents the final safeguard ensuring that every test remains under human control.