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Driving licence validity and exchange

You will know whether you can drive legally today, what deadline applies, and the exact route: exchange, exam or learning from scratch.

Driving in Spain starts with one question: is your licence valid here today, and for how long? This topic answers it. It covers whether a foreign licence works in Spain, whether you can swap it for a Spanish one, and what to do if you cannot. It also explains how a Spanish licence is renewed and…

10 articlesAbout 52 min of readingEssentialDriving, vehicles, and transport

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  1. Can you drive in Spain on your foreign licence?

    Explains how long you can drive in Spain on a foreign licence, depending on whether you are a tourist or a new resident and whether your licence is from the EU or elsewhere. Also says when you need an international permit or a translation.

    6 min read

  2. Which countries can exchange their licence for a Spanish one?

    Shows whether your driving licence can be swapped for a Spanish one without an exam, which categories an agreement usually covers, and what to check if you hold a UK, US, Canadian or Australian licence.

    4 min read

  3. Why exchange can be refused if you passed your test after moving

    If you passed your driving test after you moved to Spain, your non-EU licence will probably be refused for exchange. This page explains why and what to do instead. It is for non-EU licence holders who got their licence while already living in Spain.

    3 min read

  4. Exchanging your driving licence (canje) step by step

    The order to follow when you swap a foreign driving licence for a Spanish one at the traffic office: what to prepare, what to pay, how to book, and what happens to your old licence. For newcomers whose licence qualifies for exchange.

    7 min read

  5. Getting a Spanish licence when yours cannot be exchanged

    If your foreign licence cannot be exchanged, you must pass Spain's theory and practical driving exams through a driving school. This page covers exam languages, costs, waiting times and why experience does not exempt you.

    5 min read

  6. Learning to drive in Spain from scratch

    What it takes to get a first category B (car) licence in Spain: the minimum age, how many lessons to expect, what it costs in total and how long it takes. For adults starting from zero.

    3 min read

  7. Do EU licence holders need to register or renew in Spain?

    If you hold a driving licence from another EU or EEA country and now live in Spain, you can keep driving on it. This page explains how long it stays valid, where you renew it, and whether you must register it.

    2 min read

  8. Renewing your Spanish driving licence and the medical check

    How long a Spanish category B licence lasts, how to renew it with a recognised medical check, and what happens if you renew late. For anyone driving in Spain on a Spanish licence.

    4 min read

  9. How Spain's driving points system (permiso por puntos) works for newcomers

    Explains how Spain's 12-point driving system treats a newcomer who has exchanged a foreign licence: the points you start with, how offences remove them, and how you get them back. For drivers exchanging or planning to exchange a licence.

    2 min read

  10. Getting around Spain with or without a car

    Helps you decide whether you need a car in Spain at all, and how to get around while your driving licence is unresolved. It compares car, public transport and walking or cycling on cost, time and fit, for workers, families and people with accessibility or care needs.

    8 min read

About this topic

It is for anyone thinking about moving to Spain, planning the move or already living there. You will learn whether you can drive legally now, which deadline applies to you, and which route fits: exchange, a Spanish exam or learning from scratch.

Start with "Can you drive in Spain on your foreign licence?". It sets out how long your licence stays valid and tells you which of the other pages to read next.

Key rules

  • Exchange fee: The exchange fee is about €27.86 (2025 figure), paid before or when booking your appointment.
  • Starting points: A licence issued through exchange starts with 8 points, with no extra for experience abroad.
  • Renewal period: A category B licence is valid for 10 years up to age 65 and for 5 years from age 65.
  • Non-EU licence window: A non-EU licence is valid for driving in Spain for 6 months after you become a resident, so exchange it within that time if your country has an agreement.
  • Medical certificate: The medical certificate for the exchange is valid for three months.
  • EU licence: An EU or EEA licence stays valid in Spain until it expires, and you renew it in Spain; exchange is optional.

Driving licence validity and exchange: the whole process, step by step

  • Drive on your foreign licence as a visitor or new resident: On arrival, while your licence is valid. EU or EEA licences stay valid until they expire. Non-EU licences are valid for 6 months after you become a resident. Read: Can you drive in Spain on your foreign licence?

  • Check whether your country has an exchange agreement and any limits: Soon after you arrive, well inside your 6 months. Read: Which countries can exchange their licence for a Spanish one?

  • Check that your licence was issued while you lived in the issuing country: Before you book anything. A licence passed after moving to Spain generally cannot be exchanged. Read: Why exchange can be refused if you passed your test after moving

  • Get the medical certificate and exchange your licence: Within your 6 months of residence. The medical certificate is valid for three months, so get it shortly before your appointment. Read: Exchanging your driving licence (canje) step by step

  • If exchange is not possible, take the Spanish theory and practical tests: Start as soon as you know exchange is refused or not available. Practical test waits can run from weeks to several months in busy provinces. Read: Getting a Spanish licence when yours cannot be exchanged

  • If you have never driven, learn from scratch: Allow about 3 to 6 months from enrolment to card. The theory pass is valid for 2 years, in which you must pass the practical test. Read: Learning to drive in Spain from scratch

  • Keep an EU licence valid as a resident: Whenever it expires; you renew it in Spain and exchange is optional. Read: Do EU licence holders need to register or renew in Spain?

  • Renew your Spanish licence with a medical check: Every 10 years up to age 65 and every 5 years from age 65. Renew within 3 months after expiry at the latest; after a longer lapse you may need to retake exams. Read: Renewing your Spanish driving licence and the medical check

  • Understand your points: After you get your Spanish licence. Read: How Spain's driving points system (permiso por puntos) works for newcomers

  • Plan how to get around while your licence is unresolved: Any time before your licence is sorted. Read: Getting around Spain with or without a car

Documents you may need

Identity and residence

The home and the lease

Payments and receipts

Other documents

Each article lists the other documents it asks for, where you need them.

Driving licence validity and exchange: questions that cross several articles

Does my country's licence need an exchange agreement to be used in Spain?

Only for exchanging it without an exam; driving on it as a visitor or within your first 6 months of residence does not depend on an agreement. Without an agreement you must pass Spanish tests to get a Spanish licence. Read Which countries can exchange their licence for a Spanish one? and Getting a Spanish licence when yours cannot be exchanged.

Can I exchange a UK, US, Canadian or Australian licence without an exam?

It depends on the place and date of issue, because these countries are not covered as a whole. UK conditions depend on when the licence was issued, and US, Canadian and Australian agreements cover only certain states or provinces.

What if I passed my driving test after moving to Spain?

A licence obtained after you became resident generally cannot be exchanged, because it must have been issued while you lived in the issuing country, normally at least 185 days a year. Your route is then the Spanish theory and practical tests at a driving school. Read Why exchange can be refused if you passed your test after moving and Getting a Spanish licence when yours cannot be exchanged.

What happens if my 6 months run out before I finish the exchange?

After 6 months of residence a non-EU licence is no longer valid for driving in Spain, so you would need to wait for your exchange or take the Spanish tests before driving. The start date is applied from your residence documents, so confirm it with your provincial traffic office.

Exchange lists and country conditions change, so check the current list with the DGT, Spain's traffic authority.

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