Yes, wearing protective gloves will be mandatory for motorcyclists on interurban roads from 1 October 2026. This is established by Royal Decree 518/2026, of 24 June, which amends the General Traffic Regulations and was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) of 26 June 2026. Not wearing them will be a serious offence carrying a €200 fine. Below we explain when it applies, on which roads, what certification is required and how to choose your gloves well.
| Is it mandatory? | Yes, on interurban roads |
|---|---|
| Since when? | 1 October 2026 |
| Regulation | Royal Decree 518/2026 (amends the General Traffic Regulations) |
| Fine | €200 — serious offence |
| Certification | Protective gloves; technical specifications pending a ministerial order |
Are motorcycle gloves mandatory in Spain?
Yes. With the entry into force of the new General Traffic Regulations —amended by Royal Decree 518/2026— protective gloves become mandatory equipment for riders and passengers of motorcycles and mopeds when travelling on interurban roads. Until now, the Spanish traffic authority (DGT) only required a helmet; with this reform, gloves are added to the list of required safety items.
The obligation is set out in the new Article 118 of the General Traffic Regulations (“Helmets and other protective elements”), which specifies three items for those riding motorcycles, mopeds, tricycles, quadricycles and quads: an approved protective helmet on all types of road, protective gloves on interurban roads, and closed footwear covering the whole foot on all types of road. In other words, gloves are mandatory outside towns, and closed footwear on any road.
Since when are they mandatory and on which roads?
The exact date is 1 October 2026. This is set by the third final provision of Royal Decree 518/2026: “This royal decree shall enter into force on 1 October 2026”. You can check it in the official source, the text published in the BOE (BOE-A-2026-13889).
It is worth clarifying because many incorrect dates are circulating. The path of the regulation is this: the Council of Ministers approved it on 23 June 2026, the Royal Decree was signed on 24 June 2026, it was published in the BOE on 26 June 2026 and it enters into force on 1 October 2026.
On which roads? The glove requirement applies on interurban roads, that is, the roads running between towns (outside the city). On urban roads the national regulation does not require them, although their use is equally advisable. Closed footwear, on the other hand, is mandatory on all types of road, including within the city.
What is the fine for not wearing motorcycle gloves?
Not wearing gloves on interurban roads is classified as a serious offence, with a €200 financial penalty. The same amount applies to not wearing closed footwear. This is the figure set out in the official information from the Spanish Ministry of the Interior on the reform.
On licence points: the official sources (the Royal Decree and the note from the Ministry of the Interior) only establish the €200 financial fine and do not include any loss of points for this specific offence. Some articles mention point deductions, but this is not backed by the published regulation, so it is best not to take it for granted. We will update this section if a later regulation changes it.
What certification must motorcycle gloves have?
As we have seen, the General Traffic Regulations require “protective gloves” and leave the technical specifications to a subsequent ministerial order. Until that order arrives, the industry reference for a certified motorcycle glove is the European standard EN 13594 together with the CE marking. Choosing gloves that meet this standard is the safest way to stay ahead of the future regulation. In fact, only gloves certified to EN 13594:2015 offer protection designed specifically for motorcycling: an ordinary glove is not built to withstand the abrasion or the impact of a fall. At MT Helmets, all our Seventy gloves carry this certification.
The EN 13594 standard and the CE marking
EN 13594:2015 is the harmonised standard specific to motorcyclists' protective gloves within Regulation (EU) 2016/425 on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). A certified glove is tested against abrasion, cutting, tearing, seam strength and wrist retention, and carries the CE marking alongside the motorcyclist pictogram and the reference to the standard. That marking, usually on the inner label or on the cuff, is the sign that the glove has passed the protection tests.
Level 1 and level 2 gloves
EN 13594 defines two performance levels. Level 1 gloves are lighter and more flexible, with basic protection and lower abrasion resistance: comfortable for the city and for summer use. Level 2 gloves offer greater resistance to abrasion and impact and usually incorporate longer cuffs and reinforcements; they are the most recommended for interurban roads, long trips and speed —exactly the scenario in which the new regulation requires them.
The KP mark: knuckle protection
Next to the level, the KP mark may appear. It indicates that the glove incorporates a knuckle protector that has passed the standard's optional impact test. A glove can be level 1 or level 2 and carry the KP mark or not; if it does (for example, “1 KP” or “2 KP”), it means the knuckle protection is tested and certified, an extra safety feature against blows in a fall.
How can you tell if your gloves are certified?
Check the inner label or the cuff of the glove and look for these elements:
- The CE marking, which certifies that the glove is certified PPE.
- The motorcyclist pictogram and the reference to the EN 13594:2015 standard.
- The protection level (1 or 2) and, where applicable, the KP knuckle-protection mark.
- The PPE information leaflet, which accompanies the product and details the tests passed.
If a glove carries no marking or reference to the standard, it is an uncertified accessory and offers no guarantees of protection in the event of a fall. When in doubt, always choose motorcycle-specific gloves with the CE marking.
Why wear gloves even if they weren't mandatory?
Beyond the regulation, gloves are one of the most cost-effective road-safety items for a motorcyclist. In a fall, the hands are almost always the first thing to hit the ground: it is an instinctive reflex to put them out to protect yourself. Without gloves, the result is usually severe abrasion, cuts and fractures that affect your recovery and daily life.
A good certified glove distributes and absorbs the impact energy, protects the palm and knuckles against abrasion and improves grip and control of the controls, especially in rain or cold. It is equipment that adds safety and comfort at the same time, and for very little money compared with what is at stake.
Which gloves to choose depending on the time of year?
There is no single glove for the whole year. The choice changes according to temperature and conditions:
- Summer gloves: ventilated and breathable, shorter and lighter (often level 1), to avoid the heat without giving up protection on the palm and knuckles.
- Mid-season gloves: a balance between breathability and protection, ideal for spring and autumn and for those who cover many kilometres on the road.
- Winter gloves: waterproof and thermal, with a long cuff that seals out the air and, often, touchscreen compatibility. Here level 2 gloves are especially worthwhile for their greater protection on interurban roads.
Having at least one summer pair and one winter pair is the way to ride comfortably and protected all the time, and to comply with the regulation any day of the year.
MT Helmets certified gloves
At MT Helmets you will find motorcycle gloves with the CE marking and certified protection so you can ride safely and within the law on your routes along interurban roads. Our range covers every season of the year, with ventilated summer models and waterproof winter models, all designed to offer protection against abrasion and a good feel on the controls. All our Seventy gloves are certified to the EN 13594:2015 standard, the only one that guarantees protection dedicated specifically to motorcycling.
Featured certified models:
- SD-N60 Two Stroke — CE certified to EN 13594 Level 1 with dedicated knuckle protection (KP)
- SD-T7 Gobi — CE certified to EN 13594 Level 1 with dedicated knuckle protection (KP)
- SD-T13 Aspen Light — CE certified to EN 13594 Level 1 with dedicated knuckle protection (KP)
