“They’re not prepared enough”: Pere Navarro, DGT director, warns drivers in Spain

26/09/2026 10:00

Updated to

26/09/2026 10:00

Pere Navarro made headlines over the past Christmas season due to the DGT’s mandatory introduction of V16 traffic signals. This controversial issue was the focus of an interview he gave a few days ago on RNE’s Motor 5 program, where the DGT director stated that changes would be made to the protocol if a V16 signal is activated.

The second part of this interview has now been released. Pere Navarro issued a clear warning to Spanish drivers: “They are not prepared enough.”

Pere Navarro, head of the DGT, and his message to drivers

During the interview, Pere Navarro discussed various topics related to traffic conditions in Spain. For example, he talked about a change in European regulations that will allow drivers to obtain a license at 17 to drive with an adult passenger. This new European rule is set to arrive in Spain “by 2028 or 2029,” but he does not see “significant public demand” for it.

He also mentioned a change in the format of driving tests that affects drivers in Spain. Specifically, he explained that “currently, driving tests usually involve manual gear shifting… although it’s true that over 50% of the vehicles we register now have automatic transmissions; I think that figure is already around 60%.”

Pere Navarro is clear that “the future lies in automatic transmissions, so I believe it’s necessary to introduce training and exams for automatic transmissions—even to support electric cars.” He explained further that with a short course, someone who has only taken the exam for automatic vehicles could drive a car with a manual transmission.

The problem according to DGT director: “They’re not prepared enough”

And pay attention here, because the DGT director didn’t hesitate to issue a stern warning to future drivers regarding this exam, highlighting the low level of preparation among candidates in Spain taking it. “Around 50% fail on the first attempt at obtaining a driving license, in the practical tests,” warned Pere Navarro. “25% pass on the second attempt, and another 25% pass on the third or subsequent attempts,” he added.

In response to the question of what caused this issue, Pere Navarro was very categorical: “They failed, which means they didn’t arrive prepared enough. That’s it, simple as that.”

But Pere Navarro later emphasized this point: “I have driving schools where less than 50% of the students pass. Would you send your child to a school where more than half of the students fail? Efforts need to be made,” he reflected.