Exchange an Argentine driving licence in Spain: no exam for car and motorbike

In short: the exchange of an Argentine driving licence in Spain is covered by an agreement between Spain and Argentina (exchange of notes of 31 July 2002, in force since 16 January 2003). If you have normal residence in Spain, you can swap your Argentine licence for a Spanish one without theory or practical tests, except for truck and bus (C, C+E and D), which need a driving test.

In person or by representative? Mixed. You do the medical fitness report in person at an authorised driver assessment centre. The application goes to the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico, and the regulation says it is signed by the applicant (art. 23.1 of the General Drivers Regulation). Even so, according to the DGT page for Argentina, Peru and Uruguay, it can be filed by the holder or by anyone authorised on their behalf. It is filed online (digital certificate or Cl@ve) or in person at a Traffic Office (Jefatura u Oficina de Tráfico) with an appointment (060 or the electronic office). To authorise someone, you appoint them in the DGT register of powers of attorney (procedure “Canjes de permisos extranjeros”). If they go in person, the DGT form “Otorgamiento de representación” signed by you and stating that the representation is free of charge also works; when booking, both people's ID documents are given. If the application goes online, at the end the original Argentine licence is handed in at the chosen Jefatura, where the provisional licence is collected.

What the agreement says (text in the BOE, entry into force):

• It recognises licences that each country issued to people with normal residence in it, as long as they are valid.
• Before the exchange you may drive in Spain for the time Spanish law sets. That is the 6-month limit from normal residence explained in driving in Spain with a foreign licence. After the 6 months, the Argentine licence is not valid for driving here (art. 21.3), but the exchange can also be requested later (art. 22.1). Ask for it as soon as you can. The agreement (point 3) speaks of exchanging "after the period" of temporary driving, while art. 22.2 of the Regulation lets you ask for the exchange as soon as you acquire normal residence.
• The exchange is done without theory or practical tests. The exception is Spanish classes C, C+E and D: the agreement requires a driving test on roads open to traffic, with a vehicle of those classes.
• The minimum age required by the country where you drive applies.
• Each country keeps its own formalities: application, medical certificate, fee.
• If there are well-founded doubts about the authenticity of the licence, Spain may ask Argentina to check it.
• The exchanged licence goes back to the Argentine authority that issued it.
• The agreement may not apply to licences obtained by exchange of one from a third country.
• It has no end date, but either country can withdraw with 3 months' notice. So check on the DGT page for Argentina that it is still in force and which tests and fee it asks for today.

Equivalences (annex I of the agreement).

• Argentine A.2.1: Spanish A1.
• Argentine A.2.2 and A.3: Spanish A.
• Argentine B.1 and B.2: Spanish B. B.1 carries Community code 79: no trailer, up to 3.5 tonnes and 2 axles.
• Argentine E.2 and F: cannot be exchanged, there is no Spanish equivalent.
• The other classes (moped, professional, with trailer) have their own row in the table in the BOE. Look up yours there before asking for the exchange.

One key condition. The agreement speaks of licences issued to people with normal residence in Argentina. If you got the licence while already living in Spain, the agreement's text does not settle it, but according to the DGT licences obtained while already a legal resident in Spain are not exchanged (DGT page on exchanging licences from non-EU countries, version of 28/04/2025). Only a licence you obtained before becoming a legal resident can be exchanged.

Documents (annex III of the Regulation, section E; the DGT may ask for or accept something different, so this list may be incomplete, confirm it on its website):

• ID or NIE number, with your consent to check it; if you do not give it, a photocopy of the document (for example, the TIE).
• Recent colour photograph with a plain light background.
• Written statement that you are not barred by court decision from driving.
• Written statement that you hold no other licence of the same class from the EU or EEA, and none that is restricted, suspended or cancelled.
• Medical fitness report from an authorised driver assessment centre.
• Express statement that you answer for the authenticity, validity and currency of the licence (and an official translation, if needed).
• Original Argentine licence and a photocopy.
• DGT fee; the current amount is on its website.

According to the DGT, with an Argentine licence you must also provide a certificate of authenticity and age of the licence (certificado de autenticidad y antigüedad). You request it from the Argentine municipality where you got the licence and have it legalised or apostilled (Hague Apostille). Art. 23.2 of the Regulation lets the Jefatura ask for such a certificate to check the licence.

Steps:

1. Check that you have normal residence in Spain, that your Argentine licence is valid and that it was issued while you lived in Argentina and before you became a legal resident in Spain (see the issue date on the card). Request early the certificate of authenticity and age from the Argentine municipality that issued your licence.
2. Get the medical fitness report at an authorised driver assessment centre.
3. File the application (you or someone you authorise) at the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico (art. 23.1) or, according to the DGT, through its electronic office, with the documents and the legalised or apostilled certificate of authenticity. Pay the fee and hand over the original licence. If it is class C, C+E or D, you must also take the driving test.

If you will drive, insurance is separate: car insurance for foreigners. The overview of all countries with an exchange is in the card exchanging a foreign driving licence.

Official source: Spain-Argentina exchange of notes, BOE-A-2002-20272, Royal Decree 818/2009, arts. 21 to 23 and annex III and DGT: agreement countries for exchange.

Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.