Driving License for Spain

Recognition of Spanish and foreign licenses

The minimum ages for driving in Spain are 14 for a motorcycle up to 50cc, 16 for a motorcycle up to 125cc and 18 for a motorcycle with an engine capacity over 125cc or for a car. There’s also a maximum age of 65 for obtaining your first licence, although this doesn’t apply to foreigners aged over 65, who can exchange a valid foreign licence for a Spanish licence.

The government intends to increase the minimum age to 16 for driving a motorcycle up to 50cc and this is expected to become law by the end of 2006.

Many foreign driving licences are recognised in Spain under reciprocal agreements, including all EU licences and some US state licences, in which case you can drive on the licence of your home country and aren’t required to obtain a Spanish driving licence. Nevertheless, you must take your existing licence to your local provincial traffic department to be stamped and registered. You must also undergo the same medical exams and eye tests as holders of Spanish licences (see below). Note, however, that the above rule isn’t always known or recognised by the local police, and there have been cases of EU nationals resident in Spain driving Spanish-registered vehicles and being fined for not having a Spanish licence. For this reason, many people find it’s simpler to exchange their foreign licence for a Spanish one! The DGT website does say that foreign licenses, including EU ones, which are valid to drive with in Spanish become invalid 6 months after the license holder becomes resident in Spain.

Holders of licences issued by countries without a reciprocal agreement with Spain must take a Spanish written and/or practical driving test. Previously the written test could be taken in English and other foreign languages, but recent legislation has ruled that the written test must be taken in Spanish. If in doubt, consult a Spanish consulate abroad or your country’s embassy or consulate in Spain. All non-resident non-EU licence holders must obtain a Spanish driving licence and are entitled to drive in Spain for a maximum of six months in a calendar year.

To apply for a Spanish licence, you must produce the following documents:

an international driving permit (IDP), as well as the licence from your home country;

an official translation of your licence, which can be obtained from a Spanish consulate;

l a certificate of equivalence (certificado de equivalencia) issued by the Spanish RAC.

An international driving permit is obtainable in Spain from the Royal Automobile Club of Spain (Real Automóvil Club de España/RACE) on presentation of a valid foreign driving licence, a passport and two photographs. Note, however, that if a non-resident obtains an international driving licence in Spain, it’s valid only for driving outside Spain.

A Spanish driving licence is a plastic-coated card, the same size as a credit card, with personal information (including a photograph) printed on one side and driving information on the other. The card is similar to those issued in many EU countries such as Germany, Sweden and the UK. The old-style licence is gradually being replaced by the new one when licence holders renew their licence.

You must carry your foreign or Spanish driving licence at all times when driving in Spain.

Validity of driving licenses in Spain

The validity period of a Spanish licence depends on your age and the type of licence held, e.g. a motorcycle (A-1/A-2) or car (B-1) licence is valid for ten years if you’re under 45 and for five years if you’re between 45 and 70. A driver aged over 70 must renew his licence every two years. A commercial, passenger vehicle or heavy goods licence must be renewed every five years up to the age of 45, every three years from 46 to 60 and every two years from 61 to 70.

Points System

In an attempt to reduce the high accident and mortality rate on Spain’s roads, the government has introduced a points system, similar to that used in France, Germany and Italy. The scheme, widely acclaimed by motoring associations and insurance companies, became law in July 2006.

Since the licence points system was introduced, there has been a marked decrease in the number of deaths on Spanish roads and numerous drivers have lost all their points (most because of drunk driving). However, it’s expected to take at least a year before road accident statistics improve and start to drop to average EU levels.

Applications

To apply for a Spanish driving licence you require the following:

a completed application form (Solicitud de Carnet del Permiso de Conducir), available from the información-impresos counter at the local provincial traffic department or downloadable from http://www.dgt.es;

your Spanish residence permit (residencia) and a photocopy;

your current foreign driving licence and a photocopy;

a sworn written statement that your licence hasn’t been suspended and that you don’t own another driving licence in another country (other than the one you wish to change!);

one passport-size photograph. (Non-EU citizens require three, one of which must be signed on the back by the doctor performing the medical examination – see below.)

the fee of €17.60 (the same price as for the replacement of a lost or damaged licence) payable at the traffic department.

Holders of non-EU driving licences also require an official translation of their licence and a certificate of equivalence (certificado de equivalencia) available from the Royal Automobile Club of Spain, a medical certificate of fitness to drive and a stamped self-addressed envelope.

You can use a gestor to obtain a Spanish driving licence or apply through a Spanish motoring organisation such as the Royal Automobile Club of Spain.

It usually takes between one and three months to obtain a Spanish licence. You’re given an official receipt for your application and a copy of your foreign licence, which is valid until you receive your Spanish licence. When you receive your Spanish licence, your foreign licence is returned to the issuing authority abroad. If you change your address, you must apply to have the address on your licence changed (there’s no fee).

Renewals

To renew a Spanish driving licence you require the following:

a completed application form (see above);

your current licence;

your residence permit and a photocopy;

a medical certificate (see below);

two or more passport-sized photographs;

If someone other than the licence owner makes the application, he must provide written authorisation from the owner and supply his own residence card and copy.

Medical Certificate

Holders of non-EU driving licences require a medical certificate to obtain a Spanish driving licence. The medical examination is carried out in designated clinics (centros de reconocimento médico para conductores), which are open from 10am to 2pm and from 4 to 8pm Mondays to Fridays. The examination includes eyesight, hearing, pulse and blood pressure tests, and tests for speed of reaction, judgement of the speed of other vehicles and acuteness of visual identification. If you wear glasses or contact lenses, you’re tested with them and your licence with be annotated to indicate this (note also that you must carry a spare pair when driving). The medical certificate is valid for 90 days, during which time you must make your application for a licence (or a renewal). Three passport-sized photographs are required .

Further details on licence application procedures and downloadable forms are available from the Department of Traffic’s website (http://www.dgt.es).