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When you become a Spanish resident, you face a challenging administrative to-do list. One of the items on this list is the conversion of your foreign driving licence to the Spanish driving licence. Do you live in Spain and is your EU driving licence (almost) expired? Then you can no longer renew your driving licence. You can then only exchange your EU driving licence for a Spanish one. In this blog, we give an overview of the regulations on this and mention some other interesting facts about the Spanish driving licence.
When should you switch to a Spanish driving licence?
Contrary to popular belief, as a Spanish resident you are not required to have a Spanish driving licence as long as your EU driving licence is still valid. However, it is sometimes made difficult by local authorities, but you are within your rights. You are also insured as usual, if you possess a valid driving licence and correct car insurance.
However, as the expiry date of your EU driving licence approaches, you should start exchanging your foreign driving licence for a Spanish one. A Spanish (EU) driving licence should be applied for at the Directorate-General for Traffic or, in Spanish, Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT). This government agency has offices in all provincial capitals and other larger cities.
By the way, legally you can only have one European driving licence. And what is nice to know is that you do not have to take a driving test again. To obtain the Spanish (EU) driving licence, you must meet the requirements set by the Spanish authorities. When exchanging, your foreign driving licence is simply converted to a Spanish one (including all valid categories) with the points system that applies here.
‼️Het exchanging a driving licence can take a long time. Bear this in mind and arrange things well in advance. This will prevent your driving licence from expiring and preventing you from driving as a result.
Non-EU citizens can use their driving licence for a maximum period of 6 months, after which they are obligated to apply for a Spanish one. More information, you can find here.
WHAT DO I NEED?
On the Spanish Government' s website you can find (information in Spanish and English) what documents you need to exchange your driving licence and where to report.
AND How does the Spanish points system work?
The driving licence with points was introduced in Spain on 1 July 2006. Every owner of a driving licence receives 12 points. If you have had your driving licence for less than a year, you get 8 points.
Points can be deducted from the driving licence in case of any sanctions. Depending on the severity of offence, this can range from one point to six points. Should you lose all points, you will lose your driving licence for six months, after which you will have to take another test.
Driving under the influence will soon cost you six points, throwing a lit cigarette on the road or near it that could cause a fire will cost you four points, as will bumper sticking or reversing on the motorway.
However, if you drive for three years without losing points, you will get an additional 3 points, up to a maximum of 15 points.
How long is a Spanish driving licence valid?
Spanish driving licences are generally valid for 10 years, but this can vary. Some categories have a validity of 10 years (e.g. driving licence B, passenger car), but, for example, a C/D, bus or truck driving licence have a different validity of 5 years!
how do i apply for a renewal of a spanish driving licence?
Every time you renew your driving licence, you have to undergo a medical examination. This can be done at authorised offices called ‘Centros de Reconocimiento de Conductores’. Every medium-sized town has one or more of these centres (often it is a doctor's office).
At this examination, a passport photo is taken (so you don't have to bring it with you), you have to fill in a form and pay the fee, you have to do an eye, hearing and coordination/reflex test and some general questions about diseases. If you score satisfactorily on all points, the office can apply for the renewal for you. You surrender your (almost) expired driving licence and you will be given a temporary document to replace it. Put this in your car so you can show it in case it is asked for.
When your new driving licence arrives, you will be informed. The card will be sent to your home address or, if you choose, you can collect it from the same office that made the application. This process takes a few weeks, with no need to go to a Tráfico office to do so.
CONCLUSION
Exchanging your driving licence as a Spanish resident does not have to be stressful. With the right preparation and information, you can go through the process smoothly. Remember, there is no need to rush and you can use your EU driving licence as long as it is valid as needed.
Take your time to go through all the steps carefully, gather the right documents and plan your application well in advance. Your Spanish driving licence will soon be not only an official document, but also a nice proof of your new life in Spain.
Drive safely and enjoy the beautiful Spanish roads!
