Can I drive in Spain with my foreign licence?
It depends where your licence is from. If your licence is from the European Union or the European Economic Area, you can drive in Spain directly while it's valid (with some registration step in certain cases). If it's from a country with an exchange agreement with Spain (including the UK, Morocco, Colombia, Argentina, Peru, Chile, Ecuador or Brazil, per the DGT's official list), you can exchange it without a test for car and motorbike licences (classes A and B), but only during the first 6 months from establishing your residence; after that, you must have exchanged it to keep driving. If your country has no agreement, it can't be exchanged: you'd have to obtain the Spanish licence from scratch (tests included). The exchange fee without a test is around €29.
📋 The rules
- EU/EEA licence: drive directly (licence's validity)
- Country with an agreement (UK, Morocco, several Latin American…): exchange
- Exchange without a test for car and motorbike (classes A and B)
- Deadline: 6 months from residing in Spain
- Without an agreement: must obtain the Spanish licence anew
🔓 Exceptions
- Trucks and buses (classes C and D): usually require aptitude tests
- Licence obtained while already a legal resident in Spain: not exchangeable
- EU/EEA licences: registration or renewal depending on residence and validity
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Driving in Spain with a licence that should already have been exchanged (past the 6 months of residence for agreement countries) is like driving without a valid licence, which carries a fine and possible immobilisation. Driving with a licence from a country without an agreement beyond the initial periods isn't valid either. So it's wise to check the DGT's official list to see if your country has an agreement and to exchange in time. For the exchange you need the documentation (original licence, ID, residence, photos, medical fitness), to book an appointment and pay the fee.
📎 Official sources
- DGT · Countries with a licence-exchange agreement →
- DGT · Driving with a foreign licence →
- Administración · Driving licences →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I drive in Spain with my EU licence?
Yes. EU and EEA driving licences are valid to drive in Spain while in force. In some cases, depending on residence time, there may be registration or renewal steps, but you don't need to exchange it.
Do I have to exchange my licence from a non-EU country?
If your country has an exchange agreement with Spain (like the UK, Morocco or several Latin American countries), yes: you must exchange it within the first six months of residing here. For car and motorbike there's no test. Check the DGT's official list.
How long can I drive with the foreign licence before exchanging it?
Generally, six months from establishing your residence in Spain. After that, if your country has an agreement, you must have done the exchange to keep driving legally. Driving afterwards without exchanging it is like driving without a valid licence.
And if my country has no agreement with Spain?
Then your licence isn't exchangeable and, to drive here permanently, you'd have to obtain the Spanish licence from scratch, passing the theory and practical tests. Check on the DGT whether your country is on the agreements list.
How much does exchanging the licence cost?
The fee for an exchange without a test (car and motorbike licences, classes A and B) is around 29 euros. For truck or bus licences, which usually require aptitude tests, the fee is higher. You'll also need an appointment and the relevant documentation.
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