Basic Requirements to get a Driver’s license in Spain
Introduction
The driving age in Spain is 18 years – and those aged below this cannot drive here, even if they hold a license in their home country.
Everyone over the age of 18 can continue to use their own national driving license to drive a car in Spain for either the first six months after gaining official residency (non-EU citizens) or for the first two years of residence (EU/EEA nationals).
After the specified time period, EU/EEA citizens who are resident in Spain will have to obtain a Spanish driving license either by exchanging their foreign license or renewing their foreign license. Exceptions may also apply depending on the expiration date of your license.
Non-EU/EEA citizens will need to get a Spanish driving license by either exchanging their foreign license or taking a Spanish driving license. The process depends on their nationality or occupation, however, as some countries have agreements with Spain.
EU/EEA citizens driving in Spain
If you’re from a European Economic Area (EEA) country (EU plus Iceland, Norway, and Lichtenstein) you are free to drive in Spain using your existing driver’s license for the first two years in Spain. You must also register with the traffic authorities after six months.
You must adhere to the same conditions as Spanish license holders, including the following:
- Undertake relevant medical checks from a Spanish doctor.
- Have reached the minimum age in Spain for the category of vehicle you wish to drive.
- Renew or exchange the license after two years. If an EU license is renewed in Spain, it converts it into a Spanish license, which then needs to be renewed every 10 years.
Spanish authorities can also compel a person to obtain a new Spanish license if there are issues with penalty points.
If you don’t obtain a Spanish driver’s license after two years and are caught driving, however, you face a fine of €200.
You can also voluntarily exchange your license for a Spanish one at any time. In similar fashion to registering, this occurs at the Provincial Traffic Headquarters. The local authorities request the following documents:
- application form
- identity card or passport
- proof of residence
- the valid driving license
- two recent photographs
- declaration that you haven’t been banned or suspended from driving
- declaration that you don’t hold another driver’s license in another country
Non-EEA citizens driving in Spain
If you’re from outside the EEA you may drive in Spain using your existing foreign driver’s license for up to six months after you have registered for residency in Spain. If your foreign license is not in Spanish, however, you must always carry an official translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP).
The IDP is a document that provides a translation of a person’s driver’s license into a number of different languages, including Spanish. Carry it at all times as well as the actual driver’s license. The IDP is valid for one year and you must apply outside of Spain.
ter gaining official residency (non-EU citizens) or for the first two years of residence (EU/EEA nationals).
After the specified time period, EU/EEA citizens who are resident in Spain will have to obtain a Spanish driving license either by exchanging their foreign license or renewing their foreign license. Exceptions may also apply depending on the expiration date of your license.
Non-EU/EEA citizens will need to get a Spanish driving license by either exchanging their foreign license or taking a Spanish driving license. The process depends on their nationality or occupation, however, as some countries have agreements with Spain.
EU/EEA citizens driving in Spain
If you’re from a European Economic Area (EEA) country (EU plus Iceland, Norway, and Lichtenstein) you are free to drive in Spain using your existing driver’s license for the first two years in Spain. You must also register with the traffic authorities after six months.
You must adhere to the same conditions as Spanish license holders, including the following:
- Undertake relevant medical checks from a Spanish doctor.
- Have reached the minimum age in Spain for the category of vehicle you wish to drive.
- Renew or exchange the license after two years. If an EU license is renewed in Spain, it converts it into a Spanish license, which then needs to be renewed every 10 years.
Spanish authorities can also compel a person to obtain a new Spanish license if there are issues with penalty points.
If you don’t obtain a Spanish driver’s license after two years and are caught driving, however, you face a fine of €200.
You can also voluntarily exchange your license for a Spanish one at any time. In similar fashion to registering, this occurs at the Provincial Traffic Headquarters. The local authorities request the following documents:
- application form
- identity card or passport
- proof of residence
- the valid driving license
- two recent photographs
- declaration that you haven’t been banned or suspended from driving
- declaration that you don’t hold another driver’s license in another country
Non-EEA citizens driving in Spain
If you’re from outside the EEA you may drive in Spain using your existing foreign driver’s license for up to six months after you have registered for residency in Spain. If your foreign license is not in Spanish, however, you must always carry an official translation or an International Driving Permit (IDP).
The IDP is a document that provides a translation of a person’s driver’s license into a number of different languages, including Spanish. Carry it at all times as well as the actual driver’s license. The IDP is valid for one year and you must apply outside of Spain.
