Javillac
With the beginning of 2024 we have seen how The space of the Madrid ZBE has been expanded to cover the entire territory of the capital. Prohibitions without alternatives proposed by a city council written in lowercase letters that, rather than clarifying the mess they have created, seem to seek to confuse drivers with an excessively complex system.
It is difficult to understand such an extensive Low Emission Zone (LEZ) which, in theory - although we will see that in practice at the moment it does not - prevents cars without stickers from even completely bypassing the city and accessing public infrastructures as important as the airport. It is also difficult to understand, among other things, that a special exempt schedule has not been determined as is the case in Barcelona, that a quota has not been set - for example 4 tickets per month - or that residents with vehicles youngtimers between 20 and 30 years old have no alternative beyond taking their precious classics out of the city.
Before continuing reading, we must remember that owners of classic vehicles barely travel more than 2000 kilometers on average with them per year; and in very few cases more than 5.000. Furthermore, it is normal for them to avoid the city and only occasionally access it on special occasions. They clearly prefer open spaces where they can enjoy the outdoors, good roads and, above all, their cars and motorcycles. In conclusion, They cannot in any case be considered responsible for air pollution and climate change, and they should therefore not be radically banned from cities like Madrid, even if they do not have Historical registration.
We understand that there must be restrictions, because Madrid citizens have an unequivocal right to live in a clean municipality, but establishing draconian measures in order to achieve this objective is, as they say, kill flies with cannon shots. You can check the current situation first-hand by clicking here Without a doubt, a ZBE with entry times and quotas for vehicles without a sticker whose limit is on the M40 would be the most reasonable, and this would also help promote the conservation of our historic automotive park between 20 and 30 years old, which today remains completely unprotected. Fortunately, and as we will see below, this is not the case with vehicles with the possibility of Historical registration, even more when the new Historic Vehicle Regulations are finally published.
Finally, before continuing reading, it is very important that you, the reader, keep in mind that, although we have tried to document ourselves as best as possible, we may have been wrong. Or that the situation may change in the future. That is why we invite you to remain attentive to the town hall website and, above all, if you have to access restricted areas, that you consult regularly your fines section in case you have received a sanction. In short, please understand that, although we want to help you with this content, We are not infallible.
That said, Madrid 360 could easily be summarized with a slogan that Pimpinela sang: “Stick around”. But, whatever your car and the condition that the DGT has seen fit to assign to it, We tell you what you can and cannot do in Madrid capital, at least during 2024.
CARS WITHOUT STICKERS THAT ARE NOT REGISTERED IN MADRID
We began to clarify the regulations with the famous Sticker A vehicles, which is a very confusing and counterproductive way of referring to the vehicles. cars without an environmental label, or in other words, always according to the launch date of the model to gasoline vehicles before 2000 and diesel vehicles before 2006.
Let's start by talking about what can be done before getting into the details. The only roads you could drive on, the closest you could get to the city with one of these cars, would be the M-40, M-45 and M-50 ring roads. that, despite being located in some sections within the municipality of Madrid, its jurisdiction and sanctioning power falls on the Civil Guard and not the city council. That is to say, although in theory you cannot drive on these roads when they pass through the capital - the same as in the case of national roads and highways -, in practice there will surely be no cameras watching and you will not be fined. The same occurs with the corresponding sections of roads such as the M-11, M-12 and M-13, accessing the airport; although be careful, because the situation could change.
For example, A trip in SEAT Marbella between Alcobendas and Alcorcón on the M-40 would be possible today without being fined, although it would not be entirely legal.
Now, and with a view to entering the municipality of Madrid and not bypassing it, dozens of new cameras -more than 500- in various entrances and streets in Madrid that will be under warning period at least until June 30, therefore without economic sanction. Anyone who contravenes the restrictions should only be notified, either by the police or by receiving a letter at their home. And we say should because be the possibility of being fined by an officer; As always, it will depend on the agent's mood.
Fortunately, the technicians who devised this system They have provided a small margin of error for drivers that allows them to turn around if they leave the ring road in a punishable direction., installing the cameras in the streets surrounding the entrances and not in the entrances themselves. So if, for example, you leave the M40 at the typical roundabout and you made a mistake, you can take the same road again or go to an area without restrictions without anything happening.
Added to this is that since January 15 Cars without a label that are not registered in Madrid and that circulate on the M-30 are now fined -until now, although it may seem incredible, this route was still in the notice period- with fines of 200 euros, 100 for prompt payment, which do not entail loss of points.
There are some exceptions to these restrictions such as vehicles for people with reduced mobility or those transporting one of these people. and, very importantly, they can prove it (honestly, we wouldn't risk it). Commercial vehicles such as vans and trucks for professional use would also be exempt as long as they obtain a special authorization. Public service vehicles such as fire trucks or police cars are also free.
CARS WITHOUT RESIDENTS STICKERS IN MADRID
For those who have a car without a sticker and that pays the circulation tax in the city of Madrid since before January 1, 2022 is given a transitional year or extension until 2025.
For the time being These drivers can access all roads in the capital, including M-30 and its interior, with the exception of the Special Protection ZBEs (ZBEDEP). which are Distrito Centro (former Madrid Central) and Plaza Elíptica, both delimited by two red stripes on the asphalt and the corresponding signage unless they reside there. On the other hand, someone who lives in the Central District will not be able to access Plaza Elíptica or vice versa.
In case you try Parking in a regulated parking area, the parking meter will not issue a ticket., a somewhat illogical measure if one takes into account the zero level of pollution produced by parked cars.
The exception is those vehicles that reside in a district with a SER Zone, which may park as long as they do not leave their zone.. Vehicles with reduced mobility cards may also park.
HISTORIC VEHICLES
The way that owners of vehicles over 30 years old can continue using their cars in Madrid - the few times they want to do so - is to register them as Historic. With this procedure you could circulate on all roads in the capital with the exception of the Plaza Elíptica ZBE. (unless you are a resident of said district), which we remember includes the section of the A-42 highway (that of Toledo) that passes underneath.
As for the old Central Madrid and the eternal doubt of whether you can walk through streets like the iconic Gran Vía, the answer is a half yes. Vehicles with a Historical license plate can access the Central District but must enter one of the authorized Madrid 360 car parks to avoid the penalty., unless you are a resident of that area. It is enough to enter and exit a paid parking lot, the reason for this measure being to 'demonstrate' that you have come to the city with a purpose; That is, the entry is justified, for example, to carry out a specific task.
Regarding surface parking Vehicles with a Historic license plate over 50 years old will be allowed to obtain a ticket at a parking meter; yes, entering the letters and numbers associated with the H plate into the machine. It is worth asking why those under fifty would not be enjoyed by the residents of Madrid the same; because that is the idea of parking on the surface, that the citizen of the capital can enjoy the rolling museum that the fans altruistically maintain for everyone (frankly, any well-preserved vehicle over 30 years old will positively attract the attention of the passer-by).
Motorcycles
Motorcycles in Madrid have another set of rules that are very different from those of cars and are somewhat more permissive. Even if the label is dispensed with, they will be able to circulate on almost all roads in the capital.
The only ones Exceptions are the Special Protection ZBEs of the Central District and Plaza Elíptica, where motorcycles without a sticker cannot pass.. Only motorcycles with a 0 Emissions, ECO sticker can circulate here and, in the case of C and B, those owned by residents between 7 in the morning and 10 at night. If we are honest, We have no idea how their surface parking is regulated outside of these hours.
CARS WITH BYC STICKER
Starting with residents of the city, for those of you who are used to living in Madrid and have one of these vehicles, the story has not changed much at the moment. You can continue traveling on the same roads as last year. If you are from outside Madrid and have one of these tags, you can also drive around the city.
The only restrictions are the Plaza Elíptica Special Protection ZBE, which only residents can access; and, in the case of the Central District and if you are not a resident, you will only be able to circulate as long as you go to an authorized paid parking lot, just as happens with classic vehicles with Historical license plates.
Finally, outside of these special zones you can continue parking in the SER zone. with rates that vary depending on whether you have sticker B, which has a greater penalty in its prices, or sticker C, which is somewhat cheaper.
CARS WITH ECO STICKER AND 0 EMISSIONS
With a car of these characteristics you will not have to deal with the restrictions described. These vehicles can circulate throughout the city, including Plaza Elíptica and the Central District., which can be accessed regardless of whether you are a resident or not.
Regarding parking in the SER zone, you can park throughout the city.; With the ECO label you will have to get a ticket paying a small amount, while for the 0 emissions it is free.
*Note: to access a convoluted diagram with all these regulations summarized click on this link from Madrid360; almost better, we recommend that you have on hand the City Council website and, as we have said, try to periodically check possible fines clicking here.
