In response to persistent requests from transport associations, represented by the influential National Committee for Road Transport (CNTC), the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has announced a significant revision of the 2021 Decree that regulates the conditions for roadside assistance. This update, formulated through an Instruction addressed to Traffic Agents, introduces an important exception to the existing regulations regarding the mandatory towing of heavy vehicles with a Maximum Authorized Mass (MMA) greater than 7,5 tonnes in cases of breakdowns or road accidents.
According to reports from Fenadismer, the DGT has determined that, from now on, on-site repair of heavy vehicles will be permitted, allowing the intervention of workshop vehicles, which are usually owned by brands or dealers, although this is not always the case. However, strict requirements have been established to guarantee the safety of these operations. Workshop vehicle operators must take measures to ensure adequate prevention, safety and visibility, as well as wearing clothing that maximizes their visibility at the repair site.
This amendment represents an exception to Royal Decree 159/2021, which initially regulated the conditions under which roadside assistance services were to operate in Spain.
The original Royal Decree sparked a wide debate among transport organisations and industrial vehicle dealers due to its restrictions regarding repairs and roadside assistance for broken-down vehicles. The regulations tended to largely favour towing and transport to workshops, a practice supported by many aftermarket companies to ensure the safety of their workers.
With this amendment, the DGT is seeking to balance road safety with the economic needs of transporters, although the debate is still ongoing. This decision has been widely applauded by the transport industry, although it may not receive the same level of support from the workshops in charge of providing this service, especially in less safe environments or in conditions of reduced visibility.
