Driving licences in Spain: exchange or self-examination

Rights in Spain: a 15-step scheme

1. Check if your country is on the canje list.

   Exchange is only possible for countries with an existing agreement with Spain: in the DGT table (updated 26.06.2026) there are Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, and Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan are not.

   • Opened the table "País convenio de canjes" on dgt.es and found the country that had granted rights
   • Checked the date on which the agreement is valid for my country.
   • He made sure he got his license before he became a resident of Spain.

   Where: dgt.es, section canjes de permisosDuration: before moving or immediately afterCost: free of charge

   When assistance is needed: rights are granted in one country and citizenship in another, or rights have been changed in Spain.

2. Count how much more you can drive on your rights.

   Under article 21 of the Reglamento General de Investors (Real Decreto 818/2009), third-country rights are valid in Spain for no longer than six months from the time you acquired residencia normal, a habitual residence, rights must be valid, in Spanish or with an official translation, or in accordance with the model of the Geneva or Vienna Conventions.

   • Recorded the date of the beginning of the residence and the date of the end of six months
   • Prepared an official translation or international certificate of his rights
   • Checked that age meets Spanish requirements for this category

   Where: Real Decreto 818/2009, article 21Duration: 6 months maximumCost: translation is paid separately

   When you need help, you can't tell from when to count residence (e.g. you've lived on a visa) It's safer to start the process early. juror transfer.

3. Prepare access and sign up for DGT

   For face-to-face procedures at DGT, you need a cita previa, a pre-recorded entry: at sede.dgt.gob.es, on the phone 060 or in an app mIDGT. In Barcelona, two points are recorded in the recording system: Barcelona and Barcelona-Sabadell.

   • Received Cl@ve or digital certificate for online delivery: How to get Cl@ve
   • Picked out the procedure and the office and took the cita previa.
   • Checked that TIE and passport are valid on the date of the visit

   Where: sede.dgt.gob.es, 060, mIDGTDuration: Free dates are viewed in the recording systemCost: Record free of charge

4. Exchange: documents, informe medico and duties

   For Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and other countries, the list of categories A1, A, B and B+E is changed without examinations.

   • Filled in Modelo 03 and paid for the tasa 2.3
   • Received informe de aptitud psicofísica at the Centre de Reconocimiento de Investors
   • Surrendered the original rights and obtained temporary permission: it is valid in Spain, permanent rights according to DGT come in about a month and a half later.
   • Ukrainians with temporary protection: checked separate rules, juror transfer and international certificate not required

   Where: Jefatura Provincial de Trafico, sede.dgt.gob.esDuration: Depends on the verification of rights in the country of extraditionCost: 28.87 me (tasa 2.3) and medical commission

   When assistance is needed: the country of extradition has not long been able to confirm the right or DGT has requested proof that you were not resident when it was received. Temporary protection for Ukrainians.

5. If there is no exchange: the way through the examinations

   For rights from Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, only Spanish examinations remain, as a human being without rights: medical commission, theoretical examination and practical driving examination in the city, and driving experience is taken into account only because it is easier for you to prepare.

   • I realized that two parts were needed: pruaba teórica and préba práctica de Circulación.
   • Checked the residence condition in Spain on the DGT page
   • I made a plan to fit in six months of step 2.

   Where: dgt.es, obtener un nuevo permisoDuration: The stage taken is stored for two yearsCost: Tasa 2.1, step 8

   When you need help, you're six months out and you're driving.

6. Motor school or self-employed

   DGT expressly permits the preparation and application of a por libre test, without a car school (autoescuela). For road practice without a car school, lycencia de aprendizaje: a double pedal machine, L sign and accompanying B license. With a car school, the examination and the training machine are usually part of its work.

   • I figured out where I'm getting my theory, either myself or in a car school.
   • I figured out where I train my driving and what car I'm taking to the exam.
   • If self-checked: checked the lycencia de aprendizaje conditions in Jefatura

   Where: Jefatura Provincial de Trafico or auto schoolDuration: pending applicationCost: free school prices

   When you need help, you want to take a practice without a car school, and the car requirements and the escort are strict, you better check with Jefatura in advance.

7. Go through the medical report.

   Informe de aptitud psicofísica issues the Centro de Reconocimiento de Investors, a private centre authorized by DGT. For the examination, the certificate must be issued not earlier than 90 days before the application is made.

   • Found an authorized centre in Barcelona.
   • I've got glasses or lenses if I'm wearing them.
   • Applyed within 90 days of the medical commission

   Where: Centro de Reconocimiento de InvestorsDuration: 90 days imprisonmentCost: paid at the centre, specify the price there

8. Pay for the tasa DGT

   The fee for any category of license examination is tasa 2.1, on DGT 94.05 me. It covers two attempts (convocatorias), and the third requires a new application and a new duty.

   • He paid for the ta 2.1 on sede.dgt.gob.es and saved the receipt.
   • Checked the amount on the day of payment: DGT updates the duties at the beginning of the year

   Where: sede.dgt.gob.es, pago de tasasDuration: pending applicationValue: 94.05 I

9. Prepare for theory and select language

   Modelo 04 theory for category B is given in Spanish, autonomy (Catalonia Catalan), English, French or German, and is a version of lectura fácil, simplified text. Russian is not on the list. dgt.es has free tests in a format close to the examination.

   • I've chosen the language of the exam and I'm practicing it.
   • I'm running free DGT tests regularly.
   • Has written Spanish terms of signs and regulations if I have to give up in another language

   Where: dgt.es, test de examenesDuration: Depends on youCost: DGT tests free of charge

10. Apply for the examination

    They submit the Modelo 04 online form via the DGT (Cl@ve or certificate) electronic registry or directly to Jefatura on the record. After processing, the test date is sent by e-mail; the DGT period does not guarantee.

    • Filled in Modelo 04 and indicated the theory language
    • Attached medical report and tasa 2.1 receipt
    • Got a letter with the date and place of the exam.

    Where: sede.dgt.gob.es or Jefatura Provincial de TraficoDuration: Date designated by DGTValue: included in Tasa 2.1

11. Take the theoretical exam.

    The theory is in test format. The result is published in the section of the consulta de noteas on the DGT. This theory is maintained for two years, and it has to be practiced.

    • I got TIE or a passport in original.
    • Checked the result in the consulta de noteas
    • Recorded the date before the practice

    Where: DGT examination centre in the provinceDuration: 2 yearsCost: First and second attempts are in Tasa 2.1

12. Practice in a learning machine

    After theory, the car starts driving in the city. In a car school, it's her double pedaling and instructor, without a licencia de aprendizaje and a double-driving car, L and accompanying. Spanish practice evaluates priority rules, circular motion and manoeuvres by DGT criteria, not habits from another country.

    • Read the criteria for evaluating the dgt.es test
    • Category B manoeuvres from Maniobras B
    • Passed the Barcelona area where the exam is taking place

    Where: a car school or a training machineDuration: up to two years after theoryCost: Activities paid separately

    When you need help, you've had a long time driving, but you haven't had a Spanish practice: a few sessions with an instructor often save an attempt.

13. Take the practical exam.

    Pureba de control de aptitudes y comportamientos en circulación passes on public roads with the DGT examiner. Without a car school, you bring the car yourself: double-run and escort, who is responsible for the second pedal and safety.

    • Confirmed the date of practice
    • If libre: the vehicle meets the requirements, the accompanying vehicle is ready
    • In failure, checked whether the second attempt was still on the same duty.

    Where: DGT examination route in Barcelona ProvinceDuration: within two years after theoryCost: In Tasa 2.1, third attempt with new duty

    When you need help, two attempts have been made and six months' time for foreign rights is over.

14. Get your license.

    Once the practice is completed, the temporary permit is issued permiso protectional, which can only be used in Spain. On the DGT page it is valid for three months, and plastic rights are issued by mail during this time.

    • I got a temporary permit and I'm carrying it with me.
    • Checked that the DGT address is relevant.
    • I'm not driving abroad on temporary permits.

    Where: DGT, mail deliveryDuration: 3 months ’ temporary authorizationValue: included in Tasa 2.1

15. Balls, extension and foreign rights

    Spanish rights are running at the points: new drivers start with 8 and have experience with 12 and the balance is growing without interruption. B rights are in effect for 10 years after 65 years (art. 12 Reglamento). When they exchange the original foreign rights, they take the DGT; if you have passed the exams, the fate of old rights will be specified in Jefatura.

    • Checking points on a sede DGT or midGT
    • I put the end date on the calendar
    • I update the DGT address after moving in to get notifications.

    Where: sede.dgt.gob.es, mIDGTDuration: 10 years to 65 years, then 5 yearsValue: Extension fee see DGT page

    When you need help, you're going to drive on your old rights outside Spain or in the country of their extradition: the rules are set by that country.