Can I swap my United States driving licence in Spain?
Licence from the United States
You have to take the test.
Spain has no licence exchange agreement with the United States. Once you're a resident, your licence is valid for six months. After that you need a Spanish licence, and the only way to get one is to pass the Spanish theory and practical exams, the same as a new driver.
What that involves
- Theory exam: multiple choice on Spanish traffic rules. You can usually take it in English, but availability depends on the exam centre, so confirm when you register.
- Practical exam: a drive with a DGT examiner. Expect it to be in Spanish.
- Two routes: sign up with an autoescuela (driving school), which handles booking and lends the car, or register "libre" and organize it yourself.
- Before either exam you'll need a medical aptitude check at a driver medical centre and the DGT exam fee.
Your years of driving experience don't shorten any of this. Plenty of experienced drivers fail the first theory attempt because the questions test Spanish-specific rules.
Based on the DGT exchange agreement list (last updated by the DGT on 26 June 2026). Last checked 28 October 2026.
Coming soon · €15
The step-by-step guide to getting a Spanish licence from scratch
- Autoescuela or "libre": what each really costs and how to choose
- The medical check, the fee, and booking your theory exam in English
- What examiners mark you down for on the practical test
- Spanish phrases you'll hear in the car, with what they mean