Almeria will offer driving permits for minors to more than 16,000 16- and 17-year olds.

The General Directorate of Traffic has begun work on a new driving licence for minors aged 16-17 years. This measure is part of the 2030 Road Safety Strategy. It consists of a set of guidelines that will guide public administrations, associations, entities and entities in the sector, business world, academia, and academia throughout the decade. It will allow for the expansion of these ages to the driving license B-1.

However, they will be able to do this with specific and distinct characteristics that differ from those of legal age. The license only allows electric vehicles with an automatic gear change, and speeds not exceeding 90 km/h.

The initiative, which is already in place in many European Union countries, would be beneficial to 8,152 children aged 16 and under who are currently registered in Almeria territory. There are 4,246 men and 3,906 women. The new B-1 can also be obtained by 7,966 teenagers aged 17 - 3,827 men and 4,140 women. With the new regulations being developed by the Government of Spain, they add up to 16,118 potential drivers, 8,386 males and 7,733 females. This number will be nearly one million across the country.

IDEAL spoke with two sectors that are affected by the proposal. Jose Maria Mendez is the provincial head for Traffic in Almeria. He clarified that the proposed "will allow motorized quadricycles with a maximum speed exceeding 45 km/h" but that they can't be driven without a B license. However, the initial phase of this project is not yet regulated. This measure aims to promote electric vehicles and reduce emissions while also increasing mobility options in areas with lower density.

Rafael Villegas, president of Asoproal (the Provincial Association of Driving Schools of Almeria), has expressed his appreciation for the future implementation of the rule. Without this step, it will be impossible to obtain a European driving licence. "The new B-1 will allow those below 16 years old to apply for this permit, provided that the vehicle is electric and has an automatic transmission. The new trend of DGT is to encourage young people to embrace the new electric era, since gasoline and diesel models won't be made in the future, said the provincial representative of driving schools.

He believes that a measure that looks good on paper must be implemented in practice. This is because the "more people need permits, the more difficult it is to conduct the exams." The problem is already complicated and, although more examiners are being called, is still being resolved.

It is because, as he points out, there isn't enough administrative staff to keep up with the current demand. Therefore, many of these examiners have to also do administrative work.

"Our Headquarters is well-functioning and the management of it is well done. It has allowed all the necessary steps and, in Almeria within the situation it is one of those least bad, with an adequate response capacity", Villegas admits to a problem that affects the entire sector at a country level. Villegas has been a star in protests that have taken place in recent months.

Given the limited driving license, will these future drivers have to pass the same tests? Villegas believes that the goal is to have future drivers pass the tests, even though their driving license will be limited.

This is why your permissions are limited. He cites as an example that the same thing is happening with motorcycles. There are differences between A-1 and A-2. The provincial president of Asoproal stated that while theory has been validated with the A-1, students must do practical again in order to obtain the A-2.

He points out that there will be. "You have to be careful with the tricks that can be done in vehicles so it doesn't happen, as it is happening with scooters. They cannot exceed a certain pace but we see some that clearly exceed that."

Remember that we don't know yet how the exam in Spain will work because it isn't yet regulated. He asserts that everything is "to legislate, and to do" with more questions than answers.

Given the limited offer, students will not likely be able to test or train in the same vehicle they will drive later. However, they will not be allowed to drive with an automatic transmission if they have been certified for it. They will have to "give it a series of 8-10 classes to learn how it works and show it that they are comfortable using it."

Almeria's 15,434-year-olds could also be eligible to join the program if the regulations that are being created were to become effective in the same year. If the current protocols are adhered to, then those below 17 years old can take the theory exam up to three months before they turn 17. Therefore, anyone under the age of 16 could be tested and pass the practical test when they reach the minimum age to obtain a driver's license. This is according to the General Directorate of Traffic, and the Ministry of the Interior.

This population, combined with the 16,000 Almeria residents in the new Spanish legal framework, creates a niche market for the automotive industry. Is this enough to supply the vehicle demand that is coming?

Francisco Alonso is the president of the Provincial Association of Automobile Distributors and Vehicle Repair Workshops of Almeria. He believes that the new European license will be a positive for the sector since it "will stimulate the demand for cars". The current priorities have changed and there are no four wheelers among young people. He also defends that modern and advanced driver education is a good thing from a mobility perspective. He points out that legislation on electric vehicles has progressed faster than brand and infrastructure, particularly in the southern territories where they are slower.

Rafael Villegas, president of the Provincial Association of Driving Schools of Almeria (Asoproal), requested more resources for the new rule which will allow minors to obtain a B-1 driving licence.

He explains that "Right now, we have been in Almeria since some interims or itinerant examrs have come who gave us an acceptable examination capacity." After the Selectivity, a "avalanche", of students who have completed their studies, will arrive in Almeria to begin work on this requirement. This requirement will be of great benefit to them throughout their lives for their personal and professional life.

Accordingly, he believes there will be a high demand for exams in September and July. He hopes and trusts they won't become "problems".

"An item to cover overtime was also requested, as in 2021 when the DGT allocated one Million Euros for different provincial headquarters. He concludes that this year, it doesn't look like they'll do it because the number of interim staff is increasing, so the summer will be regular.