How To Exchange Your Driving Licence In Spain
Expat Tips
Published: 28 March 2012 12:43 CET
Updated: 05 May 2025 12:49 CET
2025 update: Spain continues to apply updated exchange agreements with the UK and multiple third countries. Medical exam requirements, appointment availability and exchange timelines have also changed in several provinces. Always check DGT.gov.es for the latest requirements in your region.
Do you need to exchange your foreign licence?
Whether you need to exchange your foreign driving licence in Spain depends on three main factors: which country issued it, how long you have been resident in Spain, and whether there is a licence exchange agreement in place.
Drivers from the EU/EEA, the UK and some third countries can usually exchange their licence without taking a Spanish driving test, although a medical aptitude check is often required. If no agreement exists, you will normally need to pass the full Spanish theory and practical exams once your grace period ends.
UK licence holders (post‑Brexit rules)
As of 2025, the UK and Spain continue to apply the bilateral agreement reached after Brexit. Under this arrangement:
- UK licence holders who become resident in Spain must exchange their licence within 6 months of obtaining residency.
- You may drive with your UK licence during that 6‑month period and while waiting for a confirmed DGT appointment, provided it was booked in time.
- No Spanish practical or theory test is needed, but you must pass a psycho‑physical aptitude medical at an authorised driver recognition centre.
- The agreement covers licences issued by the DVLA (England, Scotland, Wales), DVA (Northern Ireland) and Gibraltar.
- If you once swapped your UK licence for a licence from a third country, you should check with your provincial DGT office whether a direct exchange is still possible.
EU/EEA licence holders
If your licence was issued by an EU or EEA country, you can normally continue driving in Spain with your existing licence as long as it is valid and you are at least 18 years old, which is the legal driving age in Spain.
You must, however, exchange your licence within 2 years of becoming resident if it has no expiry date or if the validity is considered excessive by Spanish standards. In practice, that means:
- More than 15 years of validity for Group 1 categories (AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE).
- More than 5 years of validity for Group 2 categories (C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE).
You can also choose to exchange voluntarily at any time. Once you do, you receive a provisional Spanish licence, valid in Spain for three months, while the plastic card is being produced and mailed to your address.
Non‑EU/EEA licence holders
If your licence is from a country outside the EU/EEA, you are usually allowed to drive in Spain with that licence for 6 months from the start of your legal residency. After those six months, you must either exchange it or stop driving unless you obtain a Spanish licence.
Spain has bilateral exchange agreements with a number of countries, including Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Croatia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Japan, Morocco, Paraguay, Peru, Switzerland, Uruguay and Venezuela. If your licence is from one of these countries, you can often swap it directly for a Spanish one, subject to medical and administrative checks.
If your country is not on the agreement list — for example the USA, Canada, Australia or South Africa — there is no direct exchange. Once your six‑month grace period as a resident ends, you will need to pass the full Spanish theory and practical tests if you wish to continue driving legally.
How to exchange your foreign licence
To start the exchange process, you need an appointment at your local Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico, which can be booked via the DGT’s online appointment system or by calling the general information number 060.
Required documents typically include:
You can normally pay the fee online in advance through the DGT payment portal or at the time of your appointment. Drivers aged 70 or over are often exempt from paying for certain procedures.
Validity and renewal of Spanish licences
Once you have a Spanish licence, the general renewal schedule is:
- Every 10 years if you are under 65.
- Every 5 years once you are 65 or older.
No driving test is required for renewal, but you must pass a medical review at a CRC each time. Where licences are limited to shorter periods for medical reasons, reduced renewal fees apply, with lower amounts for 4‑, 3‑, 2‑ and 1‑year licences.
Processing times
In most cases, your Spanish driving licence arrives by post within roughly 4 to 8 weeks after the exchange application is accepted. While you wait, the provisional paper licence issued by the DGT allows you to continue driving in Spain for up to three months.
FAQs about exchanging a foreign driving licence in Spain
Do I need to exchange my licence as soon as I become resident?
No. Most drivers have a grace period. UK and non-EU licence holders generally have 6 months from the start of legal residency; EU/EEA drivers may continue driving longer but must exchange in specific cases, such as licences with excessive validity or no expiry date.
Can I drive while waiting for my DGT appointment?
Yes — provided your appointment was booked within the required timeframe (for example, within 6 months of residency for UK and non-EU licences). You must carry proof of your booked appointment if asked by police.
Can I exchange an expired foreign licence?
Usually no. The DGT requires the foreign licence to be valid at the time of exchange. Some countries allow the issuing authority to confirm validity even after expiration, but without that confirmation Spain will not exchange the licence.
Do I need a translation or sworn translator?
It depends on the country. EU/EEA and UK licences do not require translation. Some non-EU licences may require a sworn translation (traducción jurada) unless the information is universally recognisable or already multilingual.
What if my country has no exchange agreement with Spain?
You can drive for 6 months from the start of residency. After that, you must stop driving and obtain a Spanish licence by taking the theory and practical exams. No direct exchange is possible.
Can I exchange a foreign motorcycle licence?
Only if your country has a bilateral agreement that includes motorcycle categories. Some agreements cover only cars (B category). Always check the specific category list before booking your appointment.
What happens if I miss the exchange deadline?
You must stop driving immediately. If you continue to drive, you risk fines and legal liability in the event of an accident. In most cases the DGT will still allow the exchange after the deadline, but you must not drive until the Spanish licence is issued.
How long does the temporary licence last?
Once your exchange is approved, the DGT issues a provisional paper licence valid for 3 months. It allows you to drive in Spain (not abroad) while waiting for the physical card to arrive by post.
Can I exchange a licence if I have points or restrictions?
Possibly. Points or restrictions on your foreign licence may transfer to your Spanish record, depending on the country. If the licence has been suspended or revoked, Spain will not permit an exchange until the original validity is restored.
Protect your health while driving in Spain
Need reliable health coverage while you are on the road in Spain? If you drive regularly as an expat, choosing health insurance that includes cover for injuries from traffic accidents can make a big difference when something goes wrong.
The Sanitas Top Quantum plan combines broad private medical cover with specific protection for traffic‑related treatment, so you can handle licence exchanges, renewals and day‑to‑day driving with more peace of mind.
Official resources and further reading
To double‑check the latest rules and fees, always refer to official sources:
