Traffic offices for exchanging a foreign driving licence

Traffic offices set their own routine for exchanges, so pick your city

Exchanges are handled by the provincial traffic offices and, in a few places, by a local traffic office. Choose a city to see which office handles yours, which appointment option to book and what to bring, such as your identity and residence documents and your original licence.

1 office in Alicante
  • Alicante

    Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico de Alicante

    Catedrático Ferré Vidiella, 4, Esquina San Juan Bosco, 12, 03005 Alicante

    An EU or EEA licence stays valid in Spain, so swapping it for a Spanish one is your choice.

    EU/EEA route: Bring the official completed exchange application and its declarations, original valid ID, proof of Spanish residence, the original valid EU/EEA licence, and a current colour photograph measuring 32 × 26 mm on a plain background with a clearly visible face. The DGT (Spain’s traffic authority) checklist specifies an EU foreigner-registration certificate for EU citizens or a valid residence card for non-EU citizens; check the evidence applicable to your nationality before the visit. Have the fee number or payment receipt ready, or pay by card at the office; cash is not accepted. A representative must prove authorisation. The provisional licence is for driving within Spain only: check your travel arrangements before surrendering the original. Other agreement countries: obtain the appropriate authorised medical fitness report, prepare valid identity and residence evidence, the valid original licence and evidence of when the licence was obtained relative to residence in Spain. Country-specific certificates and tests may be needed. The fee category is 2.3 without additional tests or 2.1 with tests; use the applicable current amount. Upload legible documents, respond to requests for corrections and retain the receipt. Follow the office’s instructions for the final original-document handover. Country-specific checks: Argentina requires a Certificado de Legalidad y Antigüedad. DGT excludes Venezuelan licences issued as PDF documents; its guidance accepts only the original plastic-card format for exchange. For the Republic of Korea, the licence may have been obtained after legal residence in Spain began; check the current agreement conditions rather than applying the usual timing rule automatically. For Moroccan and Colombian licences, DGT allows motorcycle/car exchanges without additional tests. Truck/bus categories differ: Morocco requires an on-road test; Colombia requires the specific theory test plus an on-road test. The issuing-country verification and other eligibility requirements still apply; test exemption is not automatic approval. UK and Northern Ireland: obtain the appropriate DVLA or DVA check code and an authorised medical fitness report. Select the UK procedure in the digital exchange service and follow your selected office’s instructions for handing in the original. DGT says Gibraltar-issued licences do not require that check code. Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man licences are not eligible for this exchange route. The six-month driving limit is not a final application deadline: exchange can remain possible afterwards, but you must stop driving if your entitlement has ended. Ask DGT to assess agreement-specific residence/date conditions or an expired licence before applying.

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Exchanging a foreign driving licence in Spain

Check whether your licence needs exchanging, what the traffic office usually asks for and how to find the office in your city.

Exchange a foreign driving licence in Spain