UK and Spanish driving licences shown during exchange process

Still Haven’t Exchanged Your UK Licence in Spain? What Brits Risk in 2025

Spain News Published: 07 May 2025 00:02 CET Updated: 08 May 2025 00:02 CET

Still driving in Spain on a UK licence? In 2025, you’re officially out of time—yet thousands of Brits haven’t made the swap.

Despite the UK-Spain agreement that restored the right to exchange British driving licences without a test, regional DGT offices continue to report long delays and confusion, especially for older applicants. Failing to exchange could leave you uninsured, unable to drive, or fined on the spot.

Who Needs to Exchange Their Licence in 2025?

If you’re a UK citizen who became resident in Spain before March 16, 2023, and still have a valid UK driving licence, you must exchange it for a Spanish one to drive legally. If you became a resident after that date, you have six months from the date your residency starts to make the swap.

This applies to anyone holding a UK photocard licence (including Northern Ireland), regardless of whether you’ve held it for decades or only recently.

What Happens If You Don’t Exchange?

If you’re caught driving in Spain on an unexchanged UK licence after your window has expired, you risk:

A fine of up to €500 for driving without a valid licence
Immediate immobilisation of your vehicle
Being deemed uninsured in the event of an accident—even with a valid policy
Issues renewing vehicle registration or taking the ITV test

How Long Does the Exchange Process Take in 2025?

Most provinces are processing exchanges in around 4–6 weeks, but there are exceptions:

Alicante, Málaga, and Barcelona report backlogs of 8–10 weeks
Appointments for the psicotécnico (medical test) can take 2–3 weeks to book in rural areas

Plan ahead: your UK licence is only considered valid for the first six months of your TIE residency, or for those who were resident before 2023, until the DGT exchange deadline expired.

Is a Medical Test Required?

Yes. All applicants must undergo a psicotécnico test at an authorised centre. It usually includes a vision exam, coordination test, and a health questionnaire. The cost is around €35–€45.

Special Notes for Over-70s

Drivers over 70 must renew their Spanish licence more frequently, typically every 5 years. If you’re aged 70+ and applying for an exchange, your initial licence may be valid for less than 10 years depending on your age and health certificate.

Can I Still Drive While Waiting?

Yes—but only if your UK licence is still valid and you’re still within the legal timeframe allowed by your residency status. If you’ve missed the deadline and haven’t booked your exchange, you should not drive.

What Documents Are Required?

Completed DGT form
Valid UK licence (original)
Valid TIE card or NIE with proof of residency
Proof of payment of the DGT fee (around €28.87)
Psicotécnico certificate
Passport-sized photo

Book Your Appointment

Appointments can be made online at the official DGT website. Choose your province and select “Canje de permiso de conducción británico.” Expect to wait 2–3 weeks for a slot in busy areas.

Still Holding Out?

Many long-term UK residents in Spain have delayed exchanging their licences, either out of confusion or reluctance. But as of 2025, there’s no good reason to wait. Police are actively fining drivers, insurers are cracking down on non-compliance, and the DGT isn’t accepting “I didn’t know” as an excuse.

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