What Do I Need to Drive in Spain?
When it comes to seeing Spain, in my opinion, you really can’t get better than driving.
The freedom that comes with driving in Spain allows you to enjoy all the charming sights, foods (and roundabouts!) that each region has to offer, plus the road system here is so good it more or less encourages you to explore it all. That being said don’t be fooled, driving in the big cities like Barcelona and particularly Madrid, come with all the typical pull your hair out traffic that you would expect anywhere else.
But regardless of whether you are moving here or just after a few days of sun, sea, and sangria, it pays to be familiar with the status of your driving license in Spain. Not knowing the status quo could potentially leave you with having to explain yourself to a Guardia Civil in the deepest part of Andalucia or even worse, with a €200 fine!
So keep on reading to find out all you need to know about driving in Spain.
Can I Drive in Spain as a Tourist?
The crux of your ability to drive here comes down to two pieces of information. How long you will be here and where you are coming from.
We’ll focus on all you lucky holidaymakers first.
If you are from the EU or EEA state then “Adelante!” People from these countries can drive here without any issues if they are here on holiday, as long as they have the appropriate car insurance in Spain.
Brits have no need to worry to also. Driving in Spain after Brexit on holiday is permitted due to the agreements between the two countries. For this reason, you also do not need to apply for an international driving license for Spain after Brexit, which will be a massive relief to many no doubt.
However, if you are from a country that does not have an agreement with Spain (this includes the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and more) then you are required to have an international driving permit (IDP) in Spain. This needs to be obtained before you arrive, so be sure to look into this before your arrival to avoid disappointment when renting a car.
Remember too that the legal driving age in Spain is 18, so don’t even think about getting behind the wheel while here if you are younger than that.
Driving After Moving to Spain
So remember I said that it depends on whether you live here or are on holiday? Well here is where it begins to get interesting.
For all intents and purposes, Spanish authorities make it easy for you to drive here. The hurdles are not to hard to overcome, and for this reason, if you don’t make the effort to get your house in order, you really can’t complain when they pull you up on it.
Driving in Spain if You Are From an EU Country
The group that has it easiest to drive in Spain are again our European pals.
Members of the EU and EEA have licenses that are valid to drive here in Spain from the get-go. The only requirement (and this you will see repeated quite a bit) is that you have to register your driver’s license with the DGT (the Spanish traffic authority) within 6 months of your arrival. This will also mean that you need to pass a medical exam that will go over your eyesight and motor skills.
It’s super easy, I mean if I can do it, anyone can.
This requirement of registration makes sense when you think about it. If you are going to essentially have free rein over their roads, it’s only fair that they can keep tabs on you like they do everyone else.
Nevertheless, there are 2 exceptions of EU/EEA residents who do need to exchange their licenses.
These are those who have a license that has a validity of over 15 years and those without an expiry date at all. In these cases, you will need to exchange it for a Spanish one. In addition, if any EU resident’s license expires while in Spain, you should exchange it for a Spanish one in a process called “renovación del permiso comunitario”. The process will be explained further in this article.
Driving in Spain After Brexit
Where are all my confused British people at!
Yes, among all the other questions leaving people discombobulated after our messy divorce is, “Can I drive in Spain after Brexit?”
Well, the good news is yes…..kind of.
As there are some agreements in place between Spain and the UK, the 6 month grace period that allows you to drive on a UK license still applies. However, this is 6 months from the point of your residency application. In that time, you need to arrange your paperwork to get your Spanish license, but don’t need an IDP. In addition, Spain and the UK have an extended grace period of up to the 31st of December 2021 for UK license holders that already live in Spain.
This means your driving status depends much on when you arrived in Spain.
If, like me, you have lived here before the 1st of January 2021, have registered with the DGT but don’t have a Spanish license, you have until the end of the year to exchange your license. At this late stage it will be a challenge to get an appointment, but keep trying. Follow this link and choose the option “tramites de oficina” to book a face-to-face appointment. At your appointment, you will need to bring your residence documents along with your driver’s license.
If, however, you have arrived onto these shores after the 1st of January 2021, or have never registered your license with the DGT, you will need to apply for a Spanish one, and….take a Spanish driving test. Sorry guys!
I’ll go over the covert business operation that is paying for driving school another time, but it is a necessary evil if you want to get out on the open road.
Driving in Spain as a Non-EU Citizen
So what about the rest of you?
Well, if you are coming from the US, Canada, Australia, South Africa, or any other country that doesn’t have a standing relationship with Spain, you will eventually have to take a Spanish driving test.
The good news is that you don’t need to do this immediately.
Much like all other foreigners, you can drive here for 6 months on your license from the date of your residency application. However, the exception between non-EU residents and say, the British, is your need to have an IDP from the outset.
When the 6 months is up, however, to drive you will need to have passed your test and exchange your national driving license for a Spanish one.
There are of course exceptions. Some countries have agreements in place that allow people to simply swap their driving license with a Spanish one without having to take a test. Follow this link to find out if you are among the lucky few.
How to Do a Driving License Exchange in Spain
Exchanging your license is a fairly easy affair. You will need to book an appointment at your local DGT office (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfic). This link is great as you can select your country to see if they have an agreement or not, and then book an appointment accordingly. For your appointment bring with you:
- The completed application form.
- Your passport and a copy
- Residence Card
- Your NIE documentation (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)
- Proof of residence
- Certificate from your medical test
- Two recent photographs
- Current license and copy (A translation may be necessary)
Accelerate the Process of Getting on the Road
As mentioned earlier, getting out onto the open road in Spain is great and something I enjoy a lot. So I hope our breakdown of the process will get you on the fast lane in no time!
If you found this useful feel free to pass it on to anyone else in need, and check out the answers to other common Spain queries on the site!