We often regret that a good part of the road safety strategies of the General Directorate of Traffic go through coercive measures, fines, and controls. And therein lies the discontent of many drivers.
For this reason it is to be thankful that the DGT is advocating also by measures as interesting as that of “give” drivers two license pointswithout waiting for the driver to lose the balance of points on his license, as an alternative to the Road Awareness and Re-education courses to recover points, participating in courses that aim to improve driver training in road safety, but also efficiency.
Thus, The DGT wants us to train to consume less fuel and reward us, therefore, with two points.
The DGT will reward drivers for participating in efficient and safe driving courses
The DGT will “give you” two card points for participating in courses
The measure in question has been promoted by the DGT, initially, to improve the training of motorcyclists, one of the groups considered vulnerable, and on which Traffic is focusing to reduce the accident rate. But finally it was decided that they would be taught two types of courses, one for motorcyclists, and the other for tourism drivers.
On the other hand, the DGT had initially planned that these courses would focus on road safety, but also decided to extend the curricular content to efficient driving.
And so it was established in the last reform of the Law on Traffic and Road Safetyin its Annex VIII, in force as of March 21, 2022:
The purpose of the safe and efficient driving courses will be to train drivers in different techniques aimed at avoiding accidents and reducing fuel consumption and polluting emissions, preparing the driver to solve dangerous situations, adopting good driving practices and equipment. , and avoiding risk behaviors
In recent days we have updated noting how between December 2022 and next January 2023, the DGT is selecting the trainers who will be accredited to teach the courses. The process for the definition of the requirements, and contents, of the courses is also advanced, especially those of safe and efficient driving of motorcycles and mopeds that we can already confirm will be divided into two types of course, those of driving in urban areas , designed above all for the usual motorcyclist and even for professionals dedicated to urban motorcycle delivery; and driving on conventional roads, also designed for those who use the motorcycle in their leisure time.
And while waiting for the definitive definition of these courses for passenger cars, we can already anticipate some of the keys to the theoretical and practical content that will be taught in them. In the accreditation of trainers that will teach the courses has highlighted, above all, the relationship between efficient driving and safe drivingunderstanding their interconnection and not as two completely different and alien areas.
In fact, the DGT has understood that there must be different courses for different vehiclesAt the moment, one course for passenger cars and another for mopeds and motorcycles; and also that there must be different courses for routes and different usesso that courses for driving on the highway and in urban areas may be taught, but all of them will advocate road safety and efficient driving.
In these courses, which will have a minimum duration of six hours and a theoretical section, and another practical, practices will be established to reduce fuel consumption and polluting emissions, and the adoption of good practices in driving and equipment. As if that were not enough, all the courses will also have a specific section that will take into account cyclists and drivers of personal mobility vehicles, as drivers of more vulnerable vehicles. In the practical tours, on the other hand, the basic notions of efficient driving that have been taught in the theoretical section will be practiced.
When and how will the DGT courses be taught?
In 2023 they will begin to be taught the first courses and, therefore, the first points bonuses of the DGT card. The conferences in which the trainers will be accredited will take place on January 9. And two additional points may be obtained with a maximum frequency of one course of each type every two years, as established in the Law on Traffic and Road Safety.
5. Passing the safe and efficient driving courses referred to in Annex VIII, provided that the established requirements are met and there is a positive balance, will compensate with two additional points up to a maximum of fifteen points and with a frequency maximum of one course of each type every two years
And the specific requirements are the following:
- Have a positive balance on the points card
- Two points will be compensated up to a maximum of 15. Those drivers or motorcyclists who have the maximum balance in their permit for points will be able to take the safe and efficient driving courses but, obviously, they will not be rewarded with more points for having reached the maximum balance.
- The maximum frequency to receive the bonus is one course of each type every two years.
