How to exchange your foreign driving licence in Spain

When you move to Spain, your foreign driving licence has an expiry date — and not the one printed on the card, but a legal one: 6 months from when you acquire residence. After that, your foreign licence is no longer valid for driving in Spain. If you have not exchanged it, you are driving without a licence. This article explains how to avoid that.

The 6-month rule

Any foreigner who acquires legal residence in Spain can drive with their home licence for the first 6 months. After that, the DGT considers your foreign licence invalid for Spanish roads.

Exception: tourists (without residence) can drive with their foreign licence + an International Driving Permit (IDP) during stays of up to 90 days.

Exchange vs exam: it depends on your country

Countries with agreement (direct exchange, no exam)

If your licence was issued in one of these countries, you can exchange it directly for an equivalent Spanish one without any exam (for category B — cars):

• EU and EEA: all member states + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway.
• UK: bilateral agreement exists post-Brexit. Direct exchange, no exam.
• Switzerland: agreement in force.
• Other countries with agreements: Andorra, Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, Morocco, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Dominican Republic, Serbia, South Korea, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela, among others.

Check the full list on the DGT website.

Countries without agreement (exam required)

If your country has no agreement (Russia, China, India, USA — most states, Australia, among others), you need to obtain a Spanish licence from scratch: theory test (30 multiple-choice questions, in Spanish or English in some provinces), practical driving test, and driving school classes (recommended). Total cost: €500-1 500. The process can take 2-6 months.

Step-by-step exchange process (countries with agreement)

Step 1 — Psychophysical report

Visit an authorised Driver Recognition Centre (CRC). A basic medical check (vision, hearing, reflexes, coordination). Cost: €20-40. The report is sent electronically to the DGT.

Step 2 — Apply at the DGT

Since May 2025, much of the process can be started online via the DGT e-office. You need: valid NIE or TIE, valid original driving licence, empadronamiento certificate, psychophysical report, recent photo (32×26 mm), exchange fee: €28.87.

Step 3 — Submit the original licence

Attend in person (with appointment) at the Provincial Traffic Office to hand over your original foreign licence. The DGT retains it — they do not return it. If you need it to drive in your home country, check whether your country allows reissue.

Step 4 — Receive the Spanish licence

The definitive Spanish licence arrives by post in approximately 4-8 weeks. The DGT can issue a provisional permit to drive meanwhile.

Total costs

• Psychophysical report: €20-40
• DGT fee: €28.87
• Photo: €5-10
• Total (direct exchange): ~€55-80
• Total (no agreement, with driving school): ~€500-1 500

Specifics by nationality

British (post-Brexit)

Good news: a bilateral Spain-UK agreement exists. Exchange is direct, no exam, for category B. The DGT retains the original British licence. If you need one to drive in the UK, apply to the DVLA for reissue before handing the original to the DGT.

Americans

Bad news: most US states have no agreement with Spain. Theory + practical exam required. Some specific states may have bilateral agreements — check the DGT's updated list.

Russians

Russia has no agreement with Spain. Theory + practical exam mandatory. The theory test is in Spanish (not Russian), though some centres may offer study materials in Russian. Some Costa Blanca driving schools serve Russian speakers (Torrevieja, Benidorm).

Latin Americans

Most Latin American countries have agreements with Spain: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Venezuela, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Panama, Dominican Republic, Bolivia. Direct exchange, no exam.

What happens if you miss the 6-month deadline?

If you have been resident for over 6 months without exchanging:

• Driving: you are driving without a valid licence in Spain. If police stop you: fine (up to €500) and possible vehicle immobilisation.
• Insurance: your car insurance may not cover an accident if you drive with a licence not valid in Spain. Potentially devastating.
• Exchange: as long as your foreign licence has not expired, you can generally still exchange even after 6 months. But you should not drive during the process if the deadline has passed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive with my EU licence without exchanging?

Yes, while it is valid. EU/EEA licences are directly recognised in Spain without exchange. You only need to exchange when it expires — the DGT then issues a Spanish one. In practice, many European residents drive for years with their original licence. But if it expires and you do not exchange, you need to do so to renew.

Do I need a car on the Costa Blanca?

It depends on where you live. In Alicante city, Benidorm or Torrevieja, public transport and cycling cover many needs. In residential areas away from centres, urbanisations or inland towns, a car is virtually essential.

Can I buy and insure a car with a foreign licence?

Buy, yes — no restriction. Insure, it depends on the insurer: some accept valid foreign licences (during the first 6 months), others require a Spanish or European one. Check with your insurer first.

Is the theory test available in my language?

The test is officially available in Spanish and, at some centres, in English. No official version exists in Russian, German, French or other languages. However, study material (apps, manuals) is abundant in multiple languages. Your driving school can guide you.

How long does the whole process take?

Direct exchange (country with agreement): 4-8 weeks. Exam (country without agreement): 2-6 months including classes and exam availability.

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