Driving Licences in Spain
According to the report issued by the DGT from today 19th January 2015 if you are a legal resident in Spain and you do not have a Spanish driving licence you could be liable for a fine of up to 200€.
There is always speculation and different opinions surrounding this matter, over the years we have seen and heard many different stories ranging from, “you need to change your licence immediately after becoming a resident”, “my European licence is valid all over Europe” to “my licence is valid forever regardless of what the Spanish authorities say”.
The report states that you must renew your driving licence if you:
- Are from the European Union
- Drive using a licence from your own country
- Are a legal resident of Spain
- Obtained your Spanish residency on or before the 19th of January 2013
- Hold a driving licence which never expires
- Hold a driving licence which expires in 15 years or more for Group 1 (AM, A1, A2, A, B Y BE)
- Hold a driving licence that expires in 5 years or more for Group 2 (BTP, C1, C1E, C, CE D1, D1E, D, DE)
- Hold a driving licence which has already expired or is close to its expiry date
One of the conditions of holding a UK licence is that the address it is registered to is your PERMANENT place of residence, if you are living in Spain and using a family address then you are falsifying information to obtain this licence.
If you have any questions or need assistance changing your licence please contact us now.
Source: www.revista.DGT.es/noticias
Comments 33
shane Rosun
Hi ive come to live in spain and ive got a Mauritius licence and am just wondering if I could change my licence to a spanish one and I would like to have some information please as am driving and dont want to be in trouble with the law
Nicola Tait
Hello, non EU licences cannot be exchanged, you would need to sit the theory test and then the actual driving test through the Spanish system.
Paul
just sorting out frenewing my licene and realised it is out of date, what should I do?.
Nicola Tait
Hi, you can still apply for a Spanish licence even if it has run out.
kath
How much to change to Spanish licence ?
Nicola Tait
Hello, 110€ per person.
Colin McKenzie
Hi, we became Spanish Residents in February 2014….do we need to change our licence yet please?
Thanks
Nicola Tait
hi, the report says it should be done within 2 years, therefore you still have 1 more year.
Huw Jones
How would this affect non-residents?
Nicola Tait
It doesn’t affect non residents, it is only applicable to fiscal residents.
Janiccee
I renewed mine in 2013 so am I correct in saying this do not apply to me?
Nicola Tait
That is correct if you renewed to a Spanish one in 2013 then you have the right one.
Robert Carter
i am British so from an EU country but am resident in Norway so my driving licence is Norwegian. Not yet resident in Spain but that could happen soon. Do I have to change to a Spaish license?
Nicola Tait
Hello, Norway is not included in the 28 countries within the EU but it is included in the ‘EU Economic Space’ and therefore will be acceptable to exchange to a Spanish licence, apologies for the earlier incorrect information.
Val
Hi,
I became a resident about a year ago, how do I go about changing my license? What paperwork etc do I need?
Nicola Tait
Hello Val, I have emailed you details.
janet
Hi there,
I have just had my purse stolen out my bag in ikea with my uk drivkng licence in it, do I need to get a new uk licence before I get a spanish lincence.
Nicola Tait
Hi Janet, I have emailed you details.
Mariana
Hi Nicola,
I’m Finnish and moved to Spain on April 2011, when I obtained my NIE, social security number and empadronamiento. My Finnish licence has expired already a few years ago and on top of it, it has been also stolen and now I’m wondering if I can automatically get the new one here in Spain without sitting through the theory lessons etc,? I have the official paper from Finnish traffic authority proving that I have been granted the licence on 2003. Apart from this, which documents do I need to present to get the Spanish licence? I’d appreciate your help!
Many thanks in advance!
Mariana
Nicola Tait
Hello Mariana, I will email you directly the way forward. Thanks Nicola
Mike normington
Hi I have a c+e licence if I move to spain to live and work would
Would i need to take test
Regards
mike
Nicola Tait
Hi Mike, thank you for your enquiry no you would not need to take a test.
Terry Jonse
I would like you to change mine, what paperwork do you need? And how much does it cost?
Nicola Tait
Hello Terry, I will send you details directly.
TERRY
I m a UK resident , with a home in the UK …. I rent in Spain , but travel between Australia, UK and Spain …. I have an NIE and used to be a resident but the paperwork was stolen about 18 months ago and i havnt replaced it as i no longer own property in Spain…. I drive throughout Europe and Australia on my UK licence …Do i have to change my licence ??
Nicola Tait
Thank you for your recent enquiry, with a permanent address in the UK and with the travelling that you do I would not see it necessary to change to a Spanish licence.
susan kennedy
Have had aptitude test etc and have all paerwork for changing uk to spanish driving licence. Also have an appointment for trafico in Alicante, but no confidence to go alone. Please advise me of possible service to collect for me and cost involved. Thankyou
Nicola Tait
Hi Susan, I have emailed you directly yes we can present the paperwork on your behalf.
tina
Hi I am enquiring on behalf of my husband, he is resident in spain his licence witch is a picture licence,in out in 2016 when his 10 years are up, but on the back of the licence it says 2018, when he will be 70,please could you advise us on what we should do,it is a UK licence
Nicola Tait
Thank you for your enquiry, when the licence expires in 2016 he will need to replace it with a Spanish one.
Gillian Webber
Can you please send me details of how to change my lisence to a Spanish one please.
Nicola Tait
Hi Gillian, details have been sent via email.
gayna mccanis
Hi Nicola. My UK licence has expired and I am now a Spanish resident. How do I aquire a Spanish licence and what are the costs involved please.I am in the Orihuela Costa area. Thanks.