Exchange your foreign driving licence for a Spanish one

Whether you must swap depends on where your licence was issued

A licence from another EU or EEA country stays valid in Spain, so swapping it for a Spanish one is your choice. A licence from a country outside the EU and EEA can only be used for a limited time after you start living in Spain, so it has to be exchanged, a step called canje, in good time; if your country has no exchange agreement you take Spanish driving tests instead. The exchange is made at the provincial traffic office, the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico.

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How it works

Exchange a foreign driving licence

Swap your foreign driving licence for a local one and check what you need.

After you move, your foreign licence is usually valid only for a limited time. Licences from EU and EEA countries can normally be exchanged without a test; licences from other countries only under specific agreements, and otherwise you may need to take a driving test. You usually need your original licence, ID, proof of address, a photo and sometimes a certified translation or a medical certificate. Apply in good time, as processing can take several weeks and you may have to hand in your old licence.

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Offices: 33 offices in 33 cities
Book online: At 33 of 33 offices
Apply online: At 33 of 33 offices

Book the exchange option, not another one

Where to exchange your driving licence in Spain

A booking made for another traffic procedure often cannot be used for an exchange, so pick the right option when you reserve. Bring your original licence, since it is handed over at the office when you swap it.