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How to obtain Spanish driving licence

What do you need to know?

The licence exchange process allows foreign citizens with a valid driving licence from their home country to obtain the right to drive legally in Spain.

Exchanging a licence means officially recognising a foreign driving permit and replacing it with the equivalent Spanish licence. This procedure is much simpler than applying for a new licence from scratch. 

Important Information About Driving Licence Exchange

The requirements for exchanging a foreign driving licence in Spain depend on the country where it was issued.

Spain allows licence exchanges for citizens from:

  • The European Union (EU)
  • The European Economic Area (EEA) (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway)
  • Andorra, Switzerland, and Monaco
  • Other countries with a mutual agreement

However, you cannot exchange your licence and must apply for a new Spanish licence if:

  • Your country is not on the list of nations with an exchange agreement.
  • Your current licence was originally issued in a country without an agreement but was later exchanged for one that does have an agreement with Spain.
  • You obtained your foreign licence while legally residing in Spain.
  • You have a Venezuelan licence issued in PDF format, as it does not comply with European regulations.

Common types of driving licences

The most frequently exchanged driving licences include:

  1. Car licences (B, B1, and BE) – Available from the age of 18 and valid for 10 years. These licences can be exchanged directly without the need for additional tests.
  2. Motorcycle licences (AM, A1, A2, and A) – Obtainable from ages 15, 16, 18, and 20, respectively, with a validity period of 10 years. Like car licences, they can be exchanged directly without any tests.
  3. Lorry and bus licences (C and D) – These require additional aptitude tests (both practical and, in some cases, theoretical) before they can be exchanged. As a result, the process is more complex and comes at a higher cost.

Requirements for exchanging a driving licence

To exchange your foreign driving licence for a Spanish one, you must generally meet the following conditions:

  • Legal residency: You must be a legal resident in Spain.
  • Valid licence: Your driving licence must have been issued in your country of origin (EU, EEA, or a country with an agreement with Spain) and must be valid and not revoked. You are required to hand over the original document.
  • Issued before residency: You must have obtained your foreign driving licence before becoming a legal resident in Spain or prior to the signing of an agreement (if applicable).
  • Minimum age requirement: You must meet the minimum age requirement set by Spanish law for the relevant driving category.
  • Plastic card format: Only original plastic card format licences issued in the country of origin are eligible for exchange.

Country-Specific Conditions
The conditions for exchanging a driving licence vary depending on the country of issue. It is essential to check the specific requirements based on your nationality.

EU and EEA driving licences

Exchanging a driving licence issued by an EU or EEA country is not mandatory.

If your licence was issued by a country within the European Union (EU) or the European Economic Area (EEA) (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), it remains valid for driving in Spain as long as it has not expired. However, this is only allowed if the minimum driving age meets the requirements established in Spain for the corresponding licence category.

Once you become a resident in Spain, your licence will be subject to Spanish regulations regarding:

  • Validity period
  • Mandatory health checkups
  • The penalty points system

If your driving licence does not have an expiration date, you will need to renew it within two years of becoming a resident in Spain.

Additional Conditions for EU/EEA Licence Holders
  • You cannot hold more than one valid EU driving licence at the same time.
  • Your licence must be issued by the country where you officially reside.

Non-EU and EEA countries with a licence exchange agreement

If you hold a driving licence issued by a country outside the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) but from a country that has an agreement with Spain, you must exchange your licence to continue driving legally in Spain.

Your foreign licence will remain valid for a maximum of six months from the date you obtain legal residence in Spain. After this period, you will no longer be permitted to drive unless you exchange it for a Spanish licence.

Countries with Licence Exchange Agreements

Spain has agreements with several countries, including:

Switzerland, South Korea, Japan, Andorra, Argentina, Colombia, Ecuador, Uruguay, Peru, Morocco, Chile, Algeria, Dominican Republic, Paraguay, Bolivia, Philippines, Guatemala, Serbia, Brazil, El Salvador, Ukraine, Turkey, Tunisia, North Macedonia, Nicaragua, Monaco, Panama, Costa Rica, United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, New Zealand, Georgia, Moldova, Honduras.

For a complete and updated list of countries with bilateral agreements and their respective dates, please refer to the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) website.

Non-EU and EEA Countries Without an Agreement

You cannot exchange your licence. If you wish to continue driving in Spain, you must obtain a new Spanish driving licence.

Exception: If you are a professional driver residing in Spain and your licence was issued by a non-EU country without an agreement, you may be eligible to exchange it for a Spanish licence, provided you meet certain requirements.

How long is it valid for?

The driving licence has a period of validity of ten years.

What do you need to do?

Steps to follow for licence exchange
Step 1: Request an appointment

To begin the process, you must schedule an appointment with the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico). When booking, ensure you select the “Driving Licence Exchanges” option. After submitting your request, you will receive an appointment for a specific date at a DGT traffic office.

Whether you plan to submit your documentation, you must first request an appointment. This step initiates the equivalence verification and authenticity check of your driving licence with the issuing country.

The validity of your licence must be confirmed by the relevant authorities in your country of origin before proceeding with the exchange. This verification process can sometimes cause delays.

You may only book one appointment for the exchange. If you cancel your appointment, you will need to start a new administrative procedure, and the verification request will have to be sent again to the issuing country of your licence.

 
Step 2: Confirmation of exchange

You can check the status of your licence exchange verification at any time by entering your NIF or NIE on the designated DGT platform.

Your request will be considered confirmed if its status is marked as “ANSWERED.” The verification request may have one of the following statuses:

  • Pending: The authorities in your country have not yet responded to Spain’s request for information.
  • Answered: You may proceed with your appointment on the specified date, although this does not guarantee that the exchange will be granted.
  • Rejected: The issuing country has stated that they have no records of your driving licence.

Once you have confirmed on the DGT website that your licence exchange request has been approved, you can proceed with the next steps to complete the process.

What happens after submitting your documents?

✅ If everything is correct and no additional tests are required:

  • You will receive a receipt that allows you to drive legally in Spain until your final Spanish driving licence is sent to your home.

📌 If additional tests are required (theory or practical):

  • You must schedule an appointment for the required tests.
  • Once you pass the test(s), you must go to your traffic office with an appointment to submit your foreign licence.
  • After submission, you will receive a receipt that allows you to drive legally in Spain until your final Spanish licence is sent to your home.
Step 3. Receive the license

You will receive the final driving license at your home.

What documentation is needed?

To exchange your foreign driving licence for a Spanish one, you must submit the following documents:

1. Application Form
  • Official DGT exchange application, duly completed.
  • Declaration confirming:
    • You are not subject to any legal ruling prohibiting you from driving.
    • You do not hold another EU/EEA driving licence of the same category that has been restricted, suspended, or cancelled.
2. Identification Documents

Valid original proof of identity, such as:

    • National ID document (DNI)
    • Residence card
    • Passport
3. Empadronamiento
  • For EU nationals: Certificate of registration as an EU resident.
  • For non-EU nationals: Valid residence card.
  • You can authorise DGT to verify your registered address and Economic Activity Tax (IAE) online via the application form. However, if valid information cannot be obtained, you must submit supporting documents.
4. Original foreign driving licence
  • The original licence you wish to exchange.
  • For non-EU countries with an agreement, the Provincial Traffic Office may request additional reports to verify:
    • Authenticity
    • Validity
    • Expiry date
5. Proof of fee payment

  • Standard Exchange Fee (Fee 2.3): €28.87. This applies to licenses that do not require additional tests, typically covering categories like A1, A, B, and B+E (motorcycles, cars, and light vehicles).

  • Fee for Licenses Requiring Additional Tests (Fee 2.1): €94.05. This is for licenses that necessitate extra examinations, generally for categories such as C or D (lorries and buses). This fee includes two attempts at the required tests; if both are unsuccessful, the fee must be paid again for subsequent attempts.

    Age Exemption: Applicants aged 70 and above are exempt from the exchange fee.

    Payment Methods: DGT Payment Application , miDGT Mobile App , At Traffic Offices.

6. Passport-size photograph
  • Requirements:
    • Size: 32 × 26 mm
    • Recent, in colour, with a plain and uniform background
    • Front-facing, with no head coverings, dark glasses, or any items obstructing identification
    • Religious head coverings (such as veils) are allowed, but the face must be fully visible from the hairline to the chin.
7. Proof of residence at the time of licence issuance

(Only for non-EU licences with an agreement)

  • If you had Spanish nationality before residing in Spain, you must provide:
    • Certificates of registration and deregistration issued by the Spanish embassy in the country where you obtained your licence.
  • Otherwise, you must provide one of the following documents:
    • Residence permit, student permit, or EU card.
    • Certificate of registration as an EU national.
    • Immigration certificate (if you had a residence card before obtaining a Spanish ID).
8. Psychophysical aptitude report(For non-EU licences with an agreement)
  • Must be issued by an authorised driver examination centre in Spain.
  • If no additional tests are required (typically for A and B categories), submit a Group I aptitude report.
  • If additional tests are required (typically for C and D categories), submit a Group II aptitude report.
! Special Requirement for Argentina
  • Applicants must provide a Certificate of Authenticity and Age of their driving licence.
  • This document must be:
    • Issued in Argentina (from the municipality where the licence was obtained).
    • Legalised by a notary public.
    • Apostilled with the Hague Apostille to certify authenticity.

How long does it take?

  • Your new Spanish driving licence is usually delivered within one and a half months to your home address.
  • While waiting, you will receive a provisional licence, which allows you to drive legally in Spain for up to three months.
  • Important: You cannot drive outside Spain with the provisional licence.
Provisional licence issuance
  • If you are applying for a duplicate, the DGT will provide the provisional licence at the counter during your appointment.
  • If you are renewing your licence, the medical centre where you took your medical test will issue the provisional licence.
What to do if your licence does not arrive?

If your new licence does not arrive within a reasonable time after completing the process, visit your local DGT traffic office to:

  • Report the delay.
  • Request an update on the status of your licence.
  • Have the process reviewed and reissued if necessary.

What does the application cost?

To exchange your foreign driving licence for a Spanish one, you must pay a fee based on the type of licence you hold:

  • Fee 2.3 – €28.87:

    • Applies to exchanges that do not require additional tests.
    • Typically for licences that include A1, A, B, B+E categories (motorcycles, cars, and light vehicles).

  • Fee 2.1 – €94.05:

    • Applies to exchanges that require additional tests.
    • Generally for licences including C or D categories (lorries and buses).
    • This fee covers two test attempts. If both are failed, you will need to pay again to retake the test.

📌 Note: The fee is updated annually, so check the latest amount on the DGT website before applying.

How to pay the application fee?

You can pay the required fee for your driving licence exchange using one of the following methods:

1. Online Payment (DGT Payment Application)
  • Access the DGT payment platform (requires a digital certificate or valid electronic ID for authentication).
  • Payment options:
    • Credit or debit card (must be from a bank that accepts card payments).
    • Direct debit (you must be the account holder, joint holder, or authorised by the bank).
  • After payment, download the proof of fee payment. The fee number will be needed for the application process.
2. Payment via the miDGT App
  • Use the miDGT mobile app (available for Android and iOS) to:
    • Check the required fee.
    • Pay directly from your mobile device.
    • View your payment history (both used and unused fees).
  • Download the app from the official miDGT page for more details.
3. In-person payment

📌  At a DGT Traffic Office  

  • You can pay by credit or debit card when submitting your application.
  • Cash payments are not accepted at traffic offices.

📌 At a Bank or Financial Institution (for payments in cash or by direct debit)

  • First, you must fill out Form 791, available:
    • Online (via the DGT electronic fee payment application).
    • At the Traffic Office (if applying in person).
  • After downloading Form 791, follow these steps:
    1. Print out all three copies of the form (one for you, one for the authority, and one for the bank).
    2. Enter your bank account details at the bottom of the form (if paying by direct debit).
    3. Go to a collaborating bank that accepts fee payments and:
      • Pay in cash or by direct debit.
      • The bank will keep its copy and return the other two, stamped or signed as proof of payment.
    4. Submit the validated “Copy for the authority” to the Traffic Office.
    5. The Traffic Office official will confirm the fee payment and apply it to your application.

📌 Important Notes on Form 791:

  • Each Form 791 has a unique receipt number that appears on all three copies.
  • You must print out all three copies for each payment.
  • The form cannot be photocopied or reused. It is valid only once for the indicated fee amount.

Make sure to keep a copy of your payment receipt as proof of payment.

Want to know more?

For more information about the driving licence exchange process, you can contact the Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT), the official body responsible for handling this formality.

Visit the DGT website or contact your local Traffic Office for updates, appointment scheduling, and additional details regarding your application.

Remember that depending on your case and nationality, you might need other additional documents.

Need help?Contact us by WhatsApp or write to contact@spainserviceimmigration.com

We can help you with completing the forms and accompany you to the appointment.