How to exchange your UK driving licence in Spain: Ultimate step-by-step guide for expats

This is the definitive guide for how residents can exchange a UK licence for a Spanish carnet de conducer in 7 simple steps

After more than 10 months off the road, from May 1, 2022 to March 16, 2023, UK nationals resident in Spain can once again drive using a driving licence issued in Britain for a further six months – until mid-September – a grace period to allow more time for British citizens to exchange their UK licences for a Spanish one.

So, how exactly do you exchange your UK driving licence for a Spanish driving licence without having to sit a driving test? Well, while the DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic) has yet to publish the final and finer details, we already know how the basic exchange process will work.

Guide for British citizens resident in Spain to get a Spanish driving licence

As of March 16, 2023, this is the 7-step process that Brits resident in Spain must follow to get a Spanish driving licence:

Take the psicotécnico medical test at a local testing centre, where they will test your eyesight, general coordination and assess your health to make sure you are fit to drive. The health examination costs around 25-35 euros and is likely to be more thorough for over-65s and those exchanging higher categories, and there are certain ailments which may preclude you from passing the test. The certificate is valid for a period of three months and if you fail you can try again as many times as you need. Be sure to mention to the medical examiner whether you want the test for driving a car; a car and a motorcycle; or for other vehicles, as they will either give you one type of test or another.
Make an appointment online to go to your local DGT Tráfico office under the appointment category for UK licences, providing personal details such as your UK driving licence, your NIE residency number and your registered address. You can check the status of your application here.
Obtain a ‘Check code’ from the DVLA on the gov.uk website, using your National Insurance number and current UK driving licence. This is valid for 3 weeks.
Go to your appointment, and take with you your psicotécnico test result certificate; your TIE/residency certificate or proof of not having resided in Spain at the time the permit to be exchanged was obtained (i.e. between January 1, 2021 and March 16, 2023); your passport; your UK driving licence; the exchange application form; the Check code; and a passport-style photograph (32 x26 mm).
Pay the fee by credit/debit card at the DGT on the day – which will be 28.87 euros for a straight swap for car and motorcycle categories, or 94.05 euros for those that require additional testing, such as type C and D vehicles like buses and lorries. You can also make the payment prior to your appointment on the DGT website, in which case you should take proof of payment with you to your appointment.
If your licence application is rejected for any reason you should be informed of your next steps at that point. If successful, you will need to hand in your UK licence. They will give you a temporary paper version in lieu of a licence until your Spanish card is ready.
The new Spanish driving licence card will be sent to you through the post, or you can choose to have it sent back to the DGT office for you to collect in person. This process may take either days or weeks, depending on where you live.

Note that it is also possible to sit your theory and practical driving test in Spain to get a Spanish driving licence, as an alternative to the exchange method.

See also: How does the penalty point system work for Spanish driving licences?

It is worth noting that licences in Gibraltar should be exchangeable in just the same way as UK ones, although this is not necessary as the Spanish authorities will continue to recognise Gibraltar licences, and local license holders will not need an International Driving Permit to drive across the border.

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If you are unsure about any part of the exchange process, you can get professional help from Heniam & Associates, a firm which handles legal and administrative services in Spain:

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Office 1: Monteclaro 1, 30389 La Manga Club / Office 2: Calle Delta del Danubio, 30385 Los Belones

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Heniam & Associates for Conveyancing, paperwork, legal advice and immigration throughout the Region of Murcia

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