Driving in Spain: licenses, rules, and exchanging your license

Whether you’re bringing a car to Spain or planning to drive here, understanding the license requirements and traffic rules is essential. The process for legally driving long-term depends on where your license was issued.

Can you drive with your foreign license?

EU/EEA licenses

If you have a valid license from an EU or EEA country:

• Drive indefinitely in Spain
• No exchange required (but you can voluntarily exchange)
• Must renew according to Spanish rules once your license expires
• Must update address if you become Spanish resident

UK licenses (post-Brexit)

Since Brexit, UK licenses are treated as non-EU:

• Valid for 6 months after becoming Spanish resident
• Must exchange within that period
• Exchange agreement exists between UK and Spain

US and Canadian licenses

• Valid for 6 months after becoming Spanish resident
• No exchange agreement — must take Spanish driving test
• Some states/provinces may have bilateral agreements (check current status)

Other countries with exchange agreements

Spain has license exchange agreements with:

• Andorra, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, Morocco, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Dominican Republic, Serbia, South Korea, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela

If your country is listed, you can exchange without taking tests.

Countries without agreements

• Must take the full Spanish driving test (theory + practical)
• Your foreign license is valid for 6 months after residency

Exchanging your license

Who can exchange

You can exchange your license if:

• It was issued by an EU/EEA country, OR
• It was issued by a country with an exchange agreement with Spain
• Your license is valid
• You’re a legal resident of Spain

Documents required

Document	Notes
Application form	Available at DGT or online
Valid foreign license	Original
Valid passport or ID	Original + copy
NIE/TIE	Original + copy
Padrón certificate	Recent (within 3 months)
Passport photos	32x26mm, specific requirements
Medical certificate	From authorized center
Fee payment	~€30

The medical certificate

You need a certificado médico from an authorized Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores. The exam includes:

• Vision test
• Basic physical coordination
• Brief psychological assessment
• Medical history review

Cost: €30-60 Duration: About 20-30 minutes

These centers are found in most towns—search for “centro reconocimiento conductores” near you.

The exchange process

Step 1: Get your medical certificate

Step 2: Book appointment at DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico)

• Online at sede.dgt.gob.es
• Appointments can be scarce in large cities

Step 3: Attend appointment with all documents

Step 4: Pay the fee

Step 5: Receive temporary permit

• Valid while waiting for plastic card
• Card arrives by mail in 2-4 weeks

Step 6: Surrender your foreign license

• It’s sent to your home country’s authorities
• You cannot keep it

Timeline

Step	Duration
Medical appointment	Same day booking often available
DGT appointment wait	1 day to 4 weeks
Appointment + processing	30-60 minutes
Card delivery	2-4 weeks

Taking the Spanish driving test

If your country doesn’t have an exchange agreement, you’ll need to pass:

Theory test (examen teórico)

• 30 multiple choice questions
• Must score 27+ correct (90%)
• Available in Spanish, English, and other languages
• Covers traffic rules, signs, safety, first aid
• €95 exam fee

Preparation:

• Official DGT manual
• Practice test apps (DGT app, Todotest)
• Driving schools offer theory courses

Practical test (examen práctico)

• Approximately 25 minutes
• Covers various maneuvers and real traffic
• Must demonstrate safe, competent driving
• €95 exam fee

Preparation:

• Driving school lessons strongly recommended
• Instructors know test routes and examiner expectations
• Typically need 10-20 lessons minimum

Costs for full test route

Item	Cost
Theory course (optional)	€100-200
Theory exam fee	€95
Practical lessons (10-20)	€300-600
Practical exam fee	€95
Medical certificate	€30-60
License fee	€30
Total	€650-1,100

Spanish driving rules

Basic rules

• Drive on the right
• Seat belts mandatory for all passengers
• Mobile phones — Hands-free only (holding phone while driving = €200 fine + 3 points)
• Headlights — Required in tunnels and low visibility; daytime running lights recommended
• Children — Appropriate car seats required; under 135cm cannot sit in front

Speed limits

Road type	Limit
Urban areas	50 km/h (30 km/h in residential zones)
Conventional roads	90 km/h
Dual carriageways	100 km/h
Motorways (autopistas)	120 km/h

Limits may be lower in rain or specific zones. Signs always take precedence.

Alcohol limits

Driver type	Blood alcohol limit
Standard drivers	0.5 g/L (0.25 mg/L breath)
New drivers (< 2 years)	0.3 g/L (0.15 mg/L breath)
Professional drivers	0.3 g/L

Penalties are severe: fines up to €1,000, license suspension, and points.

Points system

Spain uses a points system (permiso por puntos):

• Start with 12 points (8 for new drivers)
• Points deducted for violations
• Lose all points = license suspended
• Points recovered over time or through courses

Common violations and points:

Violation	Points	Fine
Speeding (20-30 km/h over)	2	€100-300
Speeding (30-50 km/h over)	4	€300-400
Speeding (50+ km/h over)	6	€500+
Mobile phone use	6	€200
Not wearing seatbelt	4	€200
Running red light	4	€200
Drunk driving (0.5-1.2 g/L)	4-6	€500-1,000

Right of way

• Roundabouts: Vehicles in roundabout have priority; yield when entering
• Intersections: Right-hand rule applies unless signs indicate otherwise
• Pedestrians: Always have right of way at crossings

Parking rules

• Blue zones (zona azul): Paid parking, time-limited
• Green zones (zona verde): Resident parking or paid
• White lines: Free parking (where allowed)
• Yellow lines: No parking

Pay via meters, apps (EasyPark, Telpark), or scratch cards from kiosks.

Required items in your car

Spanish law requires:

• Two warning triangles — Must be placed front and rear if stopped
• Reflective vest — Must be worn when exiting vehicle on roadside
• Spare tire or repair kit
• Valid documentation — License, registration, insurance

Recommended:

• First aid kit
• Fire extinguisher
• Spare bulbs

Car insurance

Mandatory coverage

Third-party liability insurance (seguro obligatorio) is legally required. It covers damage you cause to others.

Optional coverage

• Third-party fire and theft — Adds fire and theft protection
• Fully comprehensive — Full coverage including your vehicle damage
• Roadside assistance — Breakdown recovery

Typical costs

Coverage type	Annual cost
Third-party only	€200-400
Third-party extended	€300-500
Fully comprehensive	€500-1,000+

Costs vary based on driver age, experience, vehicle, and location.

Major insurers

• Mapfre
• Línea Directa
• Mutua Madrileña
• AXA
• Allianz
• Zurich

Compare quotes online or use a broker.

Buying a car in Spain

New cars

• Buy from dealerships
• Full warranty
• Higher prices than used
• IVA (21%) included in price

Used cars

From dealers:

• Some warranty
• Higher prices than private
• Financing options

From private sellers:

• Lower prices
• No warranty
• More paperwork responsibility

Popular used car sites:

• Coches.net
• Autocasión
• Milanuncios
• Wallapop

Transfer process (used cars)

1. Check vehicle history — DGT website allows checking for debts, issues
2. Verify documentation — Registration (permiso de circulación), ITV (inspection), insurance
3. Sign contract — Private sale contract
4. Pay transfer tax — 4-8% of vehicle value depending on region
5. Register transfer — At DGT within 30 days
6. Update insurance — New policy in your name

ITV (vehicle inspection)

Spanish MOT equivalent. Required:

• New cars: First test at 4 years, then every 2 years
• Cars over 10 years: Annual inspection
• Cost: €30-50

Bringing a car from abroad

From EU countries

• Can drive with foreign plates for 6 months after establishing residency
• Must register (matricular) in Spain after that
• Process involves customs, ITV homologation, registration

From non-EU countries

• More complex import process
• Customs duties may apply
• Must meet EU safety/emissions standards
• Homologation often expensive

Generally not worth it unless it’s a special vehicle. Often cheaper to sell abroad and buy in Spain.

Alternatives to driving

Public transport

Spain has excellent public transport:

• Madrid & Barcelona: Extensive metro systems
• Cities: Bus networks
• Intercity: Renfe trains, including high-speed AVE
• Regional: Bus services

Car sharing

• Zipcar
• Ubeeqo
• Free2Move

Ride sharing

• Uber (available in limited cities)
• Cabify (widely available)
• BlaBlaCar (intercity carpooling)

Key takeaways

1. Check exchange agreements — May avoid full testing
2. Act within 6 months — Don’t drive illegally after deadline
3. Get the medical certificate first — Required for exchange
4. Book DGT early — Appointments fill up
5. Keep all documents in car — Police checks are common
6. Understand the points system — Violations add up quickly

---

Regulations change. Verify current requirements with DGT (dgt.es) for your specific situation.