Renewing your Spanish driving licence and the medical check

Terms used

• Centro de reconocimiento — The centro de reconocimiento is a medical centre approved to test drivers' eyesight, hearing and reflexes and send the result to DGT.
• Cita previa — The cita previa is an appointment you book online before visiting a public office.
• Jefatura de Tráfico — The Jefatura de Tráfico is the local DGT office that handles driving licences.
• Cl@ve — Cl@ve is Spain's online identification system for dealing with public bodies.

Key rules

• Validity: A category B licence lasts 10 years up to age 65 and 5 years from age 65.
• Medical check: You need a medical certificate from a recognised centre at every renewal.
• Expired licence: An expired licence is invalid, and driving with it can lead to a fine.
• Long lapse: After a long gap you may have to retake the theory and practical exams.

How often you must renew

A category B (car) licence is valid for 10 years up to age 65 and for 5 years from age 65. You need a medical fitness certificate at every renewal. The traffic authority (DGT) can set a shorter period if you have a medical restriction, so check the expiry date printed on your card.

Get the medical check first

Do the medical test before you apply. It is done at a centro de reconocimiento, a centre approved to certify drivers. These are common in towns. Find one through DGT or regional listings, or search for one near you.

The test covers eyesight, hearing and reflexes. Expect to pay roughly 30 to 50 euros, and the price varies by centre. Ask the centre to send the result to DGT electronically, which is how it reaches your application.

Renew with DGT

You can renew in two ways:

• In person, with an online appointment (cita previa) at a Jefatura de Tráfico, the local DGT office.
• Online, with a digital certificate or Cl@ve.

You pay a DGT fee, which is in the low 20s of euros. The fee is updated yearly. The documents are listed below. Your new card arrives by post.

If you renew late

An expired licence is invalid. If you drive with it, you can be fined as if you had no valid licence.

• Up to 3 months after expiry, you can renew normally.
• After that, if it has been expired less than 2 years, renewal usually still needs only the medical test.
• After a longer gap, you may have to retake the theory and practical exams.

Renew at the Jefatura de Tráfico. Confirm the exact grace periods with DGT before you rely on them. The safest plan is to book the medical check a few weeks before your licence expires.

Use the checklist and documents list below to prepare.

Timeline and deadlines

• Renew your licence at the Jefatura de Tráfico: before it expires, and up to 3 months after expiry at the latest for a normal renewal

• Renew with only the medical test: after 3 months, if the licence has been expired less than 2 years

• Retake the theory and practical exams: after a longer lapse, you may need this

Documents you need

• The application form for renewing your licence, completed for DGT, the traffic authority.

• Your ID or NIE, the foreigner identification number.

• The medical certificate from a recognised medical centre, which the centre sends to DGT electronically.

• A photo, where the office asks for one.

• Proof of payment of the DGT fee, which is in the low 20s of euros in 2025.

Checklist

• Find a recognised medical centre (centro de reconocimiento) using DGT or regional listings or a local search.

• Take the medical test for eyesight, hearing and reflexes, and make sure the centre sends the result to DGT electronically.

• Book an online appointment (cita previa) at a Jefatura de Tráfico, or prepare a digital certificate or Cl@ve to renew online.

• Pay the DGT fee and bring the application form, your ID or NIE and a photo if needed.

• Check the expiry date on your licence and renew before it passes, to avoid driving with an invalid licence.

What to watch out for

• Driving with an expired licence: An expired licence is invalid, and driving with it can be fined as driving without a valid licence. Renew before the expiry date, and do not drive on an expired licence.

• Waiting too long to renew: After 3 months past expiry you can no longer renew normally. After a longer lapse you may need to retake the theory and practical exams. Book your medical test and appointment early, and renew at the Jefatura de Tráfico as soon as you notice.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still renew my licence if it expired a few months ago?

Yes, if it expired less than 3 months ago you can renew it normally at the Jefatura de Tráfico. After that, if it has been expired less than 2 years, you usually still only need the medical test. Wait longer and you may have to retake the theory and practical exams.

Can I be fined for driving with an expired licence?

Yes, an expired licence is invalid, so driving with it can be fined as driving without a valid licence. Do not drive until the new licence is issued or you have confirmed with the Jefatura de Tráfico that you may.

How much does the medical check cost?

The medical check usually costs about 30 to 50 euros in 2025, and the price varies by centre. It covers eyesight, hearing and reflexes. The centre sends the result to DGT, the traffic authority, electronically.

How will I receive my new licence after renewing?

Your new licence card arrives by post after you renew. Renewal is done by online appointment at a Jefatura de Tráfico, or online with a digital certificate or Cl@ve.