Exchange a foreign driving licence in Spain: who can, 6-month limit and steps

In short: exchange driving licence Spain is possible only for countries that have an agreement with Spain, and only if you obtained the licence before becoming a resident. You can drive with the foreign licence for up to 6 months from when you acquire normal residence in Spain, and you can ask for the exchange before that period ends. After that period, to keep driving you need the exchange (art. 22.1) or the Spanish licence (art. 21.3). Ukrainians: with temporary protection in force (extended to 4 March 2028), your Ukrainian licence is recognised in the EU and you do not need to exchange it while it lasts (Regulation (EU) 2022/1280, art. 3); confirm with the DGT. More in exchange of a Ukrainian licence.

In person or by representative? Mixed. You do the medical fitness report (informe de aptitud psicofísica) in person at a driver assessment centre (CRC). The application goes to the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico, and the regulation says it is signed by the applicant (art. 23.1 of RD 818/2009). Even so, according to the DGT, it can be filed by the holder or by anyone authorised on their behalf, online on the DGT electronic office (digital certificate or Cl@ve) or in person at a Traffic Office (Jefatura u Oficina de Tráfico) with an appointment. 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 the appointment, both people's ID documents are given. In countries where the licence must first be verified with the issuing country (including Colombia, Ecuador, Morocco, Bolivia and Paraguay), only the holder can request that verification. To finish, the original licence is handed in at the Jefatura.

Who can exchange (according to the DGT, version of 28/04/2025):

• Your country has an exchange agreement with Spain. The DGT publishes the list; we do not copy it here because each agreement has its own conditions.
• You obtained the licence before acquiring residence in Spain (or before the agreement was signed).
• Your licence is valid and you did not get it yourself by exchange from a country without an agreement.

Who cannot: if your country is not on the list, if the licence was obtained by exchange from a country without an agreement, or if you got it while already resident in Spain.

How long you can drive with the foreign licence: at most 6 months from when you acquire normal residence (art. 21.2.c of RD 818/2009), unless the agreement sets a different rule. If you cannot show residence, the period counts from when you entered in a regular situation. After that, the licence is not valid for driving in Spain (art. 21.3). You can ask for the exchange as soon as you acquire normal residence, without waiting for it to run out (art. 22.2). More detail in driving in Spain with a foreign licence.

Tests: according to the DGT, A and B licences are exchanged without tests. For C and D there is normally a practical test and, in some cases, a theory test too. Each agreement sets its own conditions.

Countries with their own card and other examples:

• Morocco: exchange of a Moroccan licence.
• Argentina: exchange of an Argentine licence.
• Colombia: exchange of a Colombian licence.
• Ecuador: exchange of an Ecuadorian licence.
• Peru: exchange of a Peruvian licence.
• Ukraine: with temporary protection in force, your Ukrainian licence is recognised in the EU and you do not need to exchange it while it lasts (Regulation (EU) 2022/1280, art. 3); confirm with the DGT. Without protection, exchange under the 2010 agreement. Details in Ukrainian driving licence.
• United Kingdom: agreement of 15 March 2023 (BOE-A-2023-8050), applied provisionally. The exchange is done without a practical or theory test; provisional and learner licences do not qualify, and licences issued after the agreement took effect must have been issued where the applicant had legal residence.
• Another country with an agreement published in the BOE: Tunisia. The agreements with Colombia and Ecuador, for example, require tests for classes C, C+E and D. The remaining countries with an agreement are in the DGT list.

Venezuela: Spain suspended the agreement with Venezuela with effect from 15 March 2021 (BOE-A-2022-12160). The DGT website still mentions the exchange of Venezuelan licences on a plastic card and says PDF licences are not valid. Confirm with the DGT before counting on the exchange.

If your country has no agreement: the DGT does not allow the exchange and the general route is to get the Spanish licence, normally by passing the theory and practical tests. Art. 22.1.b provides an exceptional case for professional drivers (a 30-minute test and 6 months of work as a driver in Spain); confirm with the DGT whether it applies to you.

Documents (annex III, section E, of RD 818/2009; the Jefatura may ask for more):

• DNI or NIE number with your consent to check it, or a photocopy of your foreigner identity card (TIE).
• A recent photo of 32 x 26 mm, in colour with a light background.
• Written declaration that you are not deprived of the right to drive by a court decision.
• Written declaration that you hold no other licence of the same class from an EU or EEA state, and no other licence that is restricted, suspended or cancelled.
• Medical fitness report (informe de aptitud psicofísica) from an authorised driver assessment centre.
• Declaration that you answer for the authenticity, validity and currency of the licence, with an official translation into Spanish if it is not in Spanish.
• The licence you want to exchange and a photocopy. To check it, the Jefatura may ask for a certificate from the body that issued it (art. 23.2).

Steps:

1. Prove your residence in Spain and when you obtained the licence. Check that your country is on the DGT list and that you got the licence before becoming a resident.
2. Get the medical fitness report at a driver assessment centre.
3. Apply for the exchange at the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico (or through the electronic office, according to the DGT) with the documents above. If the Jefatura grants it, your original licence is sent back to the issuing country unless the agreement says otherwise, and the Spanish one states that it comes from an exchange (art. 23.3 and 23.4).

If you have a car, see also car insurance for foreigners.

Official sources: DGT, exchange of licences from other countries, DGT, countries with an agreement, RD 818/2009 (BOE).

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