Spain’s Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has granted the first national permit for Level 4 autonomous passenger vehicles to WeRide, Uber, and AVOMO, marking a major step in autonomous mobility testing on public roads across the Madrid region.
- Spain’s first national Level 4 autonomous vehicle permit issued
- Testing starts in high-demand areas of Greater Madrid with supervised vehicles
- Commercial robotaxi operations planned by end of 2026
What happened
Spain’s DGT officially granted WeRide, Uber, and AVOMO the country’s first national permit for Level 4 autonomous passenger vehicles. The permit, issued under the ES-AV autonomous vehicle framework, authorizes these companies to conduct testing on public roads in the Madrid region. The initial phase covers deployment of 20 WeRide GXR vehicles equipped with in-car specialists to supervise operations.
The testing will focus on mapping, route validation, and operational readiness in areas with high passenger demand within Greater Madrid. The companies collaborated closely with the Madrid regional government to secure the permit, marking a major regulatory milestone that supports the development and deployment of advanced robotaxi services in Spain.
What to watch next
Observers will be closely monitoring the outcomes of the testing phase, particularly how the autonomous vehicles perform in real-world, high-demand urban environments and how regulatory milestones are met. Key indicators will include safety, operational efficiency, and user acceptance in the Greater Madrid operational zones.
The broader rollout strategy across Europe will also be a focal point, as Uber and WeRide aim to expand robotaxi services to 15 cities by 2030, potentially reshaping urban mobility. Additionally, developments within AVOMO’s parent company Moove Cars Group, which recently raised $250 million at a $2.1 billion valuation to expand autonomous fleets, will be pivotal to sustaining and scaling this emerging market.