In 2023, the UK and Spain signed a bilateral agreement allowing UK driving licence holders to exchange their licence for a Spanish one without retaking tests. This guide explains who qualifies, how to apply, and what the process involves.

The Bilateral Agreement (2023)

On April 1, 2023, the UK and Spain signed a bilateral agreement on the reciprocal exchange of driving licences. This agreement allows UK nationals living in Spain to exchange their UK licence for a Spanish one without retaking driving tests.

Why it matters:

After Brexit (January 1, 2021), UK licences were no longer automatically recognized in Spain
UK nationals who moved to Spain after 2021 had to retake Spanish driving tests (theory + practical)
The bilateral agreement restores the exchange process, allowing a simple administrative swap
The agreement applies retroactively to UK nationals who moved to Spain after Brexit

Note: If you moved to Spain before December 31, 2020, and registered as a resident, you're protected by the Withdrawal Agreement and can exchange your licence under those rules (which are essentially the same).

Eligibility Requirements

To exchange your UK driving licence for a Spanish one, you must meet ALL of the following requirements:

Legal residence in Spain: You must be a legal resident (have a TIE or residence certificate). The agreement does NOT apply to tourists or non-residents.
Valid UK licence: Your UK driving licence must be valid (not expired, suspended, or revoked).
Age requirement: You must meet the minimum age for the licence category in Spain (usually 18 for cars, 16 for mopeds).
Six-month deadline (residents after 2021): If you became a Spanish resident after January 1, 2021, you must exchange your licence within six months of becoming a resident. After six months, your UK licence is no longer valid for driving in Spain.
Medical certificate: You must pass a medical examination at an authorized center (centro de reconocimiento de conductores).
No disqualifications: You must not be disqualified from driving in Spain or the UK.

Important: If you're a Withdrawal Agreement beneficiary (moved before 2021), there's no six-month deadline—you can exchange your licence at any time.

What Licence Categories Can Be Exchanged?

The bilateral agreement covers all standard UK licence categories. The UK categories are mapped to equivalent Spanish categories:

UK Category	Spanish Equivalent	Vehicle Type
AM	AM	Mopeds (50cc)
A1	A1	Motorcycles up to 125cc
A2	A2	Motorcycles up to 35kW
A	A	All motorcycles
B	B	Cars (up to 3,500kg)
BE	B+E	Car + trailer
C1	C1	Medium goods (up to 7,500kg)
C	C	Large goods vehicles
D1	D1	Minibuses (up to 16 passengers)
D	D	Buses (more than 16 passengers)

Note: If you hold a UK automatic-only licence (code 78), your Spanish licence will also be automatic-only. You cannot upgrade to manual transmission without retaking the test.

The Exchange Procedure (DGT)

The exchange is processed by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), Spain's traffic authority. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Medical Certificate

Book an appointment at a centro de reconocimiento de conductores (authorized medical center)
The examination includes vision test, hearing test, and general health assessment
Cost: approximately €40-€70
The center will issue a medical certificate (certificado médico) valid for 90 days

Step 2: Pay the DGT Fee

Pay the DGT fee (tasa): currently €28.96
Pay online at the DGT website or at a bank (Modelo 790)
Save the receipt (justificante de pago)

Step 3: Book an Appointment with DGT

Book online at sede.dgt.gob.es
Select "Canje de permiso extranjero" (exchange of foreign licence)
Choose your local DGT office (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico)
Wait times vary: 1-6 weeks depending on location

Step 4: Attend Your DGT Appointment

Bring the following documents:

Valid passport
NIE/TIE (residence certificate or card)
Original UK driving licence (this will be retained and sent back to the DVLA)
Medical certificate (issued in Step 1)
DGT fee receipt (Modelo 790)
Passport-sized photo (white background, 32mm x 26mm)
Empadronamiento (certificate of registration on the municipal register)

Step 5: Temporary Permit

At the appointment, the DGT will take your photo, verify your documents, and issue a temporary permit (permiso provisional)
The temporary permit is valid for 3 months and allows you to drive while your Spanish licence is being produced
Your UK licence will be retained and sent back to the DVLA

Step 6: Receive Your Spanish Licence

The DGT will mail your Spanish licence to your registered address
Processing time: typically 4-8 weeks
The new licence is a plastic card (similar to the UK photocard) with a validity period:
- Under 65: 10 years
- 65 and over: 5 years

Processing Time and Costs

Total cost:

Medical certificate: €40-€70
DGT fee (Modelo 790): €28.96
Passport photo: €5-€10
Empadronamiento certificate: Free (from town hall)
Total: approximately €75-€110

Total time:

Medical examination: 1-2 weeks to book and complete
DGT appointment: 1-6 weeks waiting time (varies by location and season)
Licence production: 4-8 weeks after appointment
Total: 6-16 weeks from start to finish

Tip: Start the process as soon as you become a Spanish resident, especially if you moved after 2021 (you only have six months).

Common Questions

Q: Can I keep my UK licence after exchanging?

A: No. When you exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one, your UK licence is retained by the DGT and sent back to the DVLA. You cannot hold both licences simultaneously. However, if you move back to the UK in the future, you can exchange your Spanish licence back to a UK one.

Q: What if my UK licence has expired?

A: You cannot exchange an expired licence. You must renew it with the DVLA first, then exchange the renewed licence in Spain.

Q: I moved to Spain in 2022 and missed the six-month deadline. Can I still exchange?

A: If you missed the six-month deadline, your UK licence is no longer valid for driving in Spain. You may face penalties if caught driving. Contact the DGT to discuss your options—some cases may be resolved with a fine, but in others, you may need to retake Spanish driving tests.

Q: Do I need to speak Spanish at the DGT appointment?

A: DGT staff typically only speak Spanish. However, in popular expat areas (Costa del Sol, Costa Blanca, Balearics), some offices have English-speaking staff or translators. Consider bringing a Spanish-speaking friend or hiring a gestor to help with the process.

Q: What happens if I'm caught driving without a valid licence?

A: Driving without a valid licence is a serious offense in Spain. Penalties include:

Fine: €500
Vehicle impoundment
Possible criminal charges (if causing an accident)
Insurance may be invalidated (you'll be personally liable for damages)

Q: Can I exchange a Northern Ireland licence?

A: Yes. Northern Ireland licences are covered by the bilateral agreement and can be exchanged using the same process.

UK-Spain Driving Licence Exchange Checklist

1.Obtain medical certificate (€40-€70) at authorized medical center
2.Pay DGT fee (€28.96) via Modelo 790
3.Book DGT appointment online at sede.dgt.gob.es
4.Gather documents: passport, NIE/TIE, UK licence, medical certificate, fee receipt, photo, empadronamiento
5.Attend appointment, receive temporary permit (3 months validity)
6.Wait 4-8 weeks for Spanish licence to arrive by post
7.If you moved after 2021: Complete within 6 months of becoming a resident

UK-Spain Driving Licence Exchange Agreement