How to Overtake Cyclists Safely in Spain

To overtake a cyclist safely in Spain, leave at least 1.5 metres of lateral space and only pull out when the road ahead is clear. From 1 October 2026, under Royal Decree 518/2026, the rules go further: you must also reduce your speed by at least 20 km/h below the limit as you pass, keep at least 5 metres behind a bike before overtaking, and change lane fully on multi-lane roads. This guide breaks down each rule and how the DGT theory exam tests it.

The rule in short

Overtaking a cyclist means giving space, slowing down, and waiting for a safe moment. The 1.5 metre side gap already applies today, and drivers have long been allowed to cross a solid line to pass a bike when it is safe. From 1 October 2026, RD 518/2026 makes the rest explicit and easier to enforce.

Here is the full picture for open roads from 1 October 2026:

• Side gap: at least 1.5 metres between your vehicle and the cyclist.
• Speed: reduce your speed by at least 20 km/h below the road limit while passing.
• Single lane per direction (interurban): you may cross a solid line and use part of the oncoming lane when it is safe.
• Multi-lane roads: change lane fully, do not squeeze past.
• Following distance: keep at least 5 metres behind a bike in your lane before you overtake.

These points come up often in exam questions, so it helps to know each one on its own. The rest of this guide takes them one at a time.

How much space must you leave a cyclist?

At least 1.5 metres. This lateral gap is measured from the widest part of your vehicle, including mirrors, to the cyclist. It is not a new idea: the 1.5 metre rule has been the standard for years, and it is one of the most tested points on the theory exam. RD 518/2026 keeps it and reinforces it.

Why 1.5 metres and not less? A cyclist wobbles. Wind from a passing car, a pothole, a gust, or a dog at the roadside can all push a bike sideways in an instant. Left with less space, the cyclist has nowhere to go. The gap is a safety margin, not a target to shave down.

Practical tip: if you cannot give 1.5 metres right now, you cannot overtake yet. Hang back, wait for the road to open up, and pass properly. Passing too close is treated as a serious offence.

What is the new 20 km/h speed reduction?

From 1 October 2026, RD 518/2026 requires you to reduce your speed by at least 20 km/h below the limit for that road while you overtake a cyclist. On a conventional road limited to 90 km/h, that means passing at 70 km/h or less. The reduction is a legal minimum, not a suggestion.

This part is genuinely new, so watch for it in updated exam questions. Older material may only mention the 1.5 metre gap. The speed cut works alongside the space rule: more room and less speed together give the cyclist the best chance if something goes wrong.

Slowing down also buys you time. At a lower speed you spend less time alongside the bike, you see hazards sooner, and you can abort the overtake more easily if an oncoming car appears. In our experience, this is the change most drivers forget, precisely because it is new.

Can you cross a solid line to pass a cyclist?

Yes, on interurban roads with a single lane in each direction, when it is safe. From 1 October 2026 RD 518/2026 states this clearly, but in practice drivers have been allowed to cross a solid centre line to overtake a bike for some time. You use part of the oncoming lane, give the 1.5 metre gap, and return once you are safely past.

The condition that matters is safety. You may only do this with clear visibility and no oncoming traffic. A blind bend, a crest, or an approaching vehicle all mean you wait. Crossing the line is a permission to pass safely, not a free pass to cut it fine.

On roads with more than one lane in your direction, the rule is different. Here you do not straddle lines at all: you change lane fully into the next lane, overtake, and move back. Never try to share a lane with a cyclist on a multi-lane road.

How far behind a cyclist should you stay?

At least 5 metres, when you are following a bike in the same lane and preparing to overtake. From 1 October 2026, RD 518/2026 sets this minimum following distance so you are not sitting on the cyclist's back wheel while you wait for a gap. It gives you room to react if the rider brakes or swerves.

Think of it as the cycling version of a safe following distance. Too close, and you cannot see past the bike to judge oncoming traffic, and you cannot stop in time if the rider goes down. Five metres keeps your sightline open and your options intact.

This distance pairs with the others. You hold 5 metres back, wait for clear road, drop 20 km/h below the limit, pull out with 1.5 metres of space, and complete the pass in one smooth move. On the theory exam, expect these numbers to appear together and separately.

Why did the rules for cyclists get stricter?

Cyclists are vulnerable road users with no bodywork, airbags, or crumple zones between them and a car. Spain has pushed steadily to protect them, and RD 518/2026, in force from 1 October 2026, gathers the key protections into clear, enforceable numbers. Precise figures are easier for police to apply and for drivers to remember.

The direction of travel is consistent: more space, less speed, and no risky squeeze-passes. Turning long-standing good practice, the 1.5 metre gap and crossing a line when safe, into explicit written rules removes the grey areas that used to lead to arguments and near misses.

For the DGT theory exam, the takeaway is simple. Learn the four numbers, 1.5 metres, 20 km/h, 5 metres, and full lane changes on multi-lane roads, and you will handle almost any cyclist question. For the wider set of 2026 updates, see the 2026 DGT exam changes, and for overtaking in general, read the overtaking rules in Spain.

Frequently asked questions

How much space must I leave when overtaking a cyclist in Spain?

At least 1.5 metres of lateral space, measured from the widest part of your vehicle to the cyclist. This rule already applies today. If you cannot give 1.5 metres, wait and do not overtake yet.

Do I really have to slow down by 20 km/h to pass a bike?

From 1 October 2026, yes. RD 518/2026 requires you to reduce your speed by at least 20 km/h below the road limit while overtaking a cyclist. On a 90 km/h road, that means passing at 70 km/h or less.

Is it legal to cross a solid line to overtake a cyclist?

On interurban roads with one lane in each direction, yes, when it is safe. This is confirmed from 1 October 2026 under RD 518/2026 and has been accepted in practice before. You need clear visibility and no oncoming traffic.

How far behind a cyclist do I have to stay?

From 1 October 2026, at least 5 metres when following a bike in the same lane before you overtake. This keeps your view clear and gives you time to react if the rider brakes or swerves.

What do I do on a road with two lanes in my direction?

Change lane fully into the next lane to overtake, then move back once you are safely past. On multi-lane roads you do not share a lane with the cyclist or straddle the line.

Sources

• Reglamento General de Circulacion (Real Decreto 1428/2003).
• Real Decreto 518/2026, en vigor desde el 1 de octubre de 2026: BOE-A-2026-13889.

Last updated: August 2026.