From theory classes to medical exams, here’s everything I wish I’d known before starting the 9-month journey to legal driving with my Spanish driver’s license in Spain.
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When I first moved to Spain to study and eventually decided to stay to raise my family here, I thought getting a driver’s license would be straightforward. After all, I’d been driving in the US for years—how different could it be?
Nine months and around €2,000 later, I had my Spanish license in hand and a deep appreciation for just how thorough (and different) the Spanish system really is. If you’re an American living in Spain or planning to make the move, here’s everything you need to know about getting your Spanish driver’s license—including the mistakes I made so you don’t have to.
I am now at the 10-year mark of initially obtaining my license and I now have to renew it! Thankfully it is more straight-forward than initially getting it. But more on that later!
The Reality Check: You Can’t Just Exchange Your US License
Let’s start with the most important fact: Spain and the US do not have a bilateral exchange agreement for driver’s licenses. Unlike European countries, some Latin American countries where you can simply swap your American license for a local one, Spain requires you to go through their complete licensing process.
And here’s the legal reality that catches many Americans off guard: you can only drive on your US license (with an International Driving Permit) for the first six months after becoming a Spanish resident. After that, you’re legally required to have a Spanish license. Getting caught driving without one isn’t just a fine—it’s considered driving without a license, period.
Why the Full License Process is Not a Bad Idea
Even if exchange were possible, I’m glad I went through the complete Spanish driving education system. The rules, road layouts, and driving culture in Spain are genuinely different from the US. Going through the process made me a more confident and safer driver here.
Spanish driving tends to be more coordinated but also more aggressive than typical American driving. You’re navigating smaller spaces, different right-of-way rules, and road systems that simply don’t exist in most US cities. The education process prepares you for these realities in ways that just exchanging a license never could. For example, Spanish drivers rely on the rear-view and side mirrors when changing lanes! My instructor panicked the first time I checked my blind spot by turning around. Spanish drivers are expected to be very aware of their surroundings and know whether a car is in their blind spot.
Additionally, you cannot have any practice time without a certified instructor and vehicle, unlike in the US. There have been rumors about changing this, but at this time, if you have been living in Spain for more than 6 months, you cannot drive unless with an instructor or your new Spanish license.
Initially, you can learn the basic rules of road with a course of the differences to drive in Spain. I recommend Tripiamo which covers the basics before you get your feet driving in Spain and before or while you get your Spanish driver’s license. (I am a Tripiamo affiliate, so I will receive a small comission for any purchase you make, but I only recommend services that I support!).
The Document Hunt: Start Before You Move
The most challenging part of the entire process was obtaining my US driving record from abroad. This was several years ago, before online notaries existed, so I had to jump through significant hoops to get this document while already living in Spain.
My biggest piece of advice: Get your driving record before you move to Spain. Contact your state’s Secretary of State’s Office (it’s the entity in charge of the Deparment of Motor Vehicles, DMV) and request an official driving record. Once you have it, getting an apostille is straightforward—I had a friend request the apostille with a walk-in appointment from the Illinois Secretary of State since it’s a state document.
Beyond the driving record, you’ll also need:
- Medical certificate completed in Spain at a registered center (more on this below)
- Valid Spanish residence card
- Copy of your US driver’s license
- Document translation (around €20) of your US driving record
Why Your US Driving Record Matters More Than You Think
While getting your US driving record is the most challenging document to obtain, it’s also one of the most valuable. Spain operates on a points-based system for driver’s licenses, and your US driving history directly impacts how many points you start with.
With a clean US driving record, I received the maximum 15 points on my Spanish license—the same number that Spanish drivers earn after years of accident-free driving. New Spanish drivers typically start with fewer points and must build up their record over time.
The points system is crucial to understand because losing points can mean losing your license entirely. Traffic violations deduct points, and once you hit zero, your license is suspended. Starting with the full 15 points instead of the 8 that new drivers typically receive gives you a significant safety buffer as you adjust to Spanish driving norms.
But the benefits go beyond just points:
No “L” sign required: New Spanish drivers must display an “L” (learner) sign on their car for their first year. With a documented US driving history, you’re exempt from this requirement, immediately marking you as an experienced driver rather than a novice.
Immediate rental car access: Many car rental companies in Spain have restrictions for new license holders or require additional fees and insurance. Having a Spanish license that shows your prior driving experience (via your US record) means you can access standard rental rates and policies from day one.
The Medical Exam: Spain Takes Driver Health Seriously
One aspect of the Spanish system that impressed me was the mandatory medical examination. Even now, when I renew my license, I have to go through a recognized medical center rather than just handling it at the equivalent of the DMV. We all know that, if they even do it at the DMV, it is only vision and maybe hearing.
The exam is comprehensive but quick and affordable. For €20 and about 30 minutes of your time, you’ll complete:
- Vision testing
- Hearing assessment
- Reflexes testing (including a video simulation where you use both hands to navigate a virtual road that twists in different directions)
- General health evaluation
You can find recognized medical centers on the official DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico; equivalent to the DMV) website.
Choosing a Driving School: Location and Language Matter
It’s nearly impossible to navigate the Spanish driving test process without going through an autoescuela (driving school), so choosing the right one is crucial.
My recommendations:
- Choose a school close to home. You’ll be going back and forth for theory classes and practical lessons multiple times per week.
- English-language driving schools. They can cost significantly more than standard Spanish schools. The official theory exam can be in English if easier, however, and there are now many schools that offer the service in English, especially in Barcelona. The practical exam will be in Spanish and your drivin instructor can act as interpreter. Reach out if you need any recommendations.
- Verify they’re reputable. Ask about their pass rates and read reviews from other students.
The Theory Phase: More Intensive Than You’d Expect
The Spanish theory test consists of 20 multiple-choice questions drawn from a pool of 300 possible questions. You can only get 3 questions wrong, so thorough preparation is essential.
I attended theory classes five times per week while also studying the guide on my own time. There are excellent mobile apps available for practice quizzes—use them while waiting on public transportation to pass the time. I took my time with this phase (about 3 months) because there’s no limit on how long you can study before taking the test and I didn’t want to have to pay extra fees for a new exam nor lose time waiting for a new exam date in case I had to retake the exam.
The questions cover everything from traffic signs and right-of-way rules to specific scenarios you’ll encounter on Spanish roads. Many concepts will be unfamiliar even to experienced American drivers.
Practical Lessons: Learning Spanish Roads and Culture
I took 2-3 practical lessons per week for three months. This might seem excessive for someone who’s been driving for years, but Spanish roads, traffic patterns, and driving expectations are genuinely different. Again, I was not in a rush and preferred to avoid any mistakes.
Critical decision: Automatic vs. manual transmission. You can take lessons and the test in an automatic-transmission car, but your license will then restrict you to automatic vehicles only. Unlike in the US, this restriction actually matters in Spain and Europe generally, where manual transmissions are still common and automatic rentals are significantly more expensive. Learn stick shift if you don’t already know—it’s worth the extra effort for the flexibility.
My 9-Month Timeline: What to Expect
Here’s how my process broke down:
- Months 1-3: Theory classes and self-study
- Month 4: Waiting for theory exam slot
- Months 5-7: Practical lessons (2-3 per week)
- Month 8: Break for business travel to US
- Month 9: Waiting for practical exam, then receiving license by mail
Your timeline might be shorter if you prioritize it and don’t have travel interruptions, but plan for at least 6-7 months, especially with waiting times for exams.
The Tests: More Comprehensive Than US Exams
Theory Test: 20 multiple-choice questions, maximum 3 wrong answers allowed. The questions are detailed and scenario-based, not just basic traffic signs.
Practical Test: This is where Spanish tests really differ from American ones. Instead of just demonstrating parking and basic maneuvers in a controlled lot or short drive in a shopping mall parking lot, you’ll drive around actual city streets. In Barcelona, this included driving through the city and up Montjuïc.
You can have up to 3 minor violations (breaking hard, etc.), but no severe violations (not stopping at a cross-walk with a pedestrian present, running through a stop-sign, etc.).
The test has two parts:
- The examiner gives you specific directions to follow, interrupting at times to indicate “make a stop” or “find a parking space.”
- A portion where you choose your own route and demonstrate independent driving decision-making
Your driving instructor sits in the passenger seat as usual when you complete your practice classes (which helps with nerves), while the examiner sits in the back directing the test and taking notes. Having your instructor there definitely made the experience less intimidating.
Timing Your Process: When to Start
Start in September if possible. This avoids peak summer delays and positions you to finish before the next summer slowdown. The Spanish bureaucratic system moves more slowly during summer months, and you don’t want to be stuck waiting for exam slots during peak vacation season.
The Investment: What It Really Costs
Total cost for my license: approximately €2,000 plus €22 for document apostille and translation. You fees may differ greatly depending on the practice This included:
- Driving school enrollment and lessons
- Theory and practical exam fees
- Medical examination
- Various administrative fees
Yes, it’s significantly more expensive than renewing a US license, but consider it an investment in your safety and legal compliance in your new country.
Remember, if you do not obtain your license and continue to drive beyond the 6-month mark, you will be considered as driving without a license and your car will be towed.
Why It’s Worth Every Euro and Every Month
Beyond legal compliance, going through the Spanish licensing process offers real benefits:
Confidence: Understanding Spanish traffic laws, road signs, and driving culture makes you a much more confident driver. You’ll know why other drivers behave certain ways and how to navigate complex traffic situations.
Safety: Spanish roads, especially in cities like Barcelona, require different skills than most American roads. The education process prepares you for narrow streets, different parking norms, and various traffic scenarios.
Integration: Learning to drive “the Spanish way” is part of integrating into Spanish society. You’ll feel more like a local and less like a tourist behind the wheel.
Final Tips for Success
- Start early: Begin the process as soon as you’re settled in Spain, don’t wait until your six-month grace period is nearly up, especially if you plan on driving in Spain.
- Be patient with the bureaucracy: Spanish administrative processes move at their own pace. Build buffer time into your planning; there can be delays waiting for exams, especially if you have to retake them.
- Take it seriously: Even if you’re an experienced driver, approach this as learning a new skill rather than just going through the motions.
- Get your US documents early: Handle your driving record and apostille before moving to Spain.
Getting your Spanish driver’s license is a significant undertaking, but it’s also a meaningful milestone in your Spanish residency journey. The process will make you a better, safer driver in Spain while ensuring you’re legally compliant in your new home.
The nine months and €2,000 investment transformed me from an American driver trying to navigate Spanish roads to a confident Spanish driver who understands the local system. For anyone planning to make Spain their long-term home, it’s an investment that pays dividends every time you get behind the wheel.
Have questions about getting your Spanish driver’s license? The process can vary slightly by autonomous community, so always check with local authorities for the most current requirements in your area.
