Spanish Driving Licences: Getting, Renewing & Points

The information you need on how to apply for a driving licence in Spain: who is entitled, how to get the driving permit and how to renew it. Also the role of the driving instructor and taking the examination and the points penalty system used in Spain.

A Spanish driving licence (licencia de conducción) is the standard EU model, of laminated pink card, with a photograph of the holder. However a process has begun to replace that with a plastic, credit card-sized permit with photograph.

For information on exchanging a foreign (EU or non-EU) driver's licence for a Spanish on see AngloINFO Information Page Foreign Driving Licences in Spain

Legal Driving Ages and Permit Types

Mopeds and vehicles for people with reduced mobility: 14 years
Permit A1 (motorbikes maximum power 11 KW and 125cc): 16 years
Permit A (motorbikes, with at least two years experience driving motorbikes of category A1): 18 years
Permit B (vehicles with a maximum weight of 3.500 Kg and with a maximum of 9 seats, including the driver's): 18 years
Permit C (vehicles with weight over 3.500 Kg): 21 years
D (vehicles for the transport of passengers): 21 years

Validity and Licence Renewal

A standard Spanish driving licence for a private car or bike is valid for ten years when the holder is aged 18 to 45 years of age, from 45 up to 70 it is valid five years, and two years from 70 on. A person over the age of 70 will be asked to present a medical certificate whenever the driving licence needs renewal.

The periods of validity may be altered for drivers with certain progressive illnesses or disabilities.

Note: Different conditions apply for passenger bus and heavy duty licences.

Renewal

A licence must be renewed at the Provincial Traffic Headquarters (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico) of the holder's province of residence before its validity lapses.

To find a local Provincial Traffic Office: Click here

Documentation required:

Completed application form issued by the Provincial Traffic Headquarters
The licence to be renewed
Photocopy (and original) of a Spanish identity, Residence Permit (Tarjeta de Residencia) or a copy of the passport along with the NIE number (Número de Identificación de Extranjer) as proof of address in Spain
Certificate of psychological aptitude issued by the Authorised Drivers Check Centre (Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores Autorizado) of the province of residence of the applicant with a recent photograph
Two recent photographs (32 by 25 mm) taken at the same time as the one on the aptitude certificate

The Spanish Driving Examination

Applicants for a Spanish driving permit or licence must be resident in Spain. Application must be made at the Provincial Traffic Headquarters (Jefatura de Tráfico) of the province of residence.

Note: Driving schools play a significant part in the process and are able to take care of making the application and submitting the documents for driver's exams. It is important to seek their advice before setting out to take a Spanish driving exam.

Making the application

Documents needed:

A certificate of psychophysical aptitude issued by the Authorised Drivers Check Centre (Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores Autorizado) with one photo. This certificate is valid for a period of 90 days
Application and application fee
Two passport-sized photographs
Photocopy (and original) of a Spanish Residence Permit (Tarjeta de Residencia) or a copy of the passport along with the NIE number (Número de Identificación de Extranjer) as proof of address in Spain
Declaration in writing that there is no legal process pending nor licence suspension that forbids the right to drive
Declaration in writing that no other licence of the same category is held

Driving Licence Test

There are two parts to the test, one theoretical and one practical. Both must be passed to be considered competent. All tests are in Spanish although a translator can attend the practical exam.

Traffic Offences and Penalties

Spain monitors a driver's traffic offences with a points system. A diving licence starts with a credit of 12 points in the case of experienced drivers, and 8 during a new driver's first three years of driving.

A person caught speeding (for example) loses three points from their licence. If a driver loses all 12 points, the driving licence will be withdrawn for a year, and once the year is up, the driver will have to take a special test and a course, as well as the usual theoretical and practical driving tests in order to be given a new licence.

A licences points status can be check online on the Traffic Department website: Click here (in Spanish)

Licence Lost, Stolen or Changing Address

If a licence is lost, damaged or stolen, or an address changes, the Provincial Road Traffic authority will issue a replacement licence. The replacement licence is issued free of charge in the event of change of address.

Any change in the information which appears in the driving licence has to be communicated to the official Regional or Local Spanish Traffic offices within 15 days of the change.