RoadVisa Beta

How to get a driving licence in Spain

Getting a car licence from scratch, country by country.

Car licence, category B

Getting your licence in Spain

Theory questions30
Pass mark≤3 mistakes
Time for the theory test30 min
DGT fee, covers 2 test attempts in total€94.05
Driving test feeIncluded
Driving in the driving test~25 min

The DGT is adding a compulsory video question on spotting road hazards, with extra time to watch it.

Before you start driving

2
Learner permitNone. Practice on public roads is only allowed in a driving school's dual-control car.
Medical checkYes. A psychophysical check at an authorised driver testing centre (CRC): eyesight, hearing, coordination and reaction time.

Required lessons

1
Driving lessonsNo minimum is required, but you can only practise in a driving school's dual-control car, so in practice you go through a school.

Good to know

8
Minimum age18 for a car licence. You can take the theory test from 3 months before your 18th birthday.
Licence validity10 years for category B, 5 years from age 65.
Exam languagesThe theory test is in Spanish, or in English, French or German on request. Regional languages too in Catalonia, the Balearics, the Basque Country, Navarre, Galicia and Valencia.
If you failThe DGT fee covers 2 attempts in total, across both tests. After 2 fails, you apply and pay again. A passed test is kept for 2 years.
Automatic or manualPassing in an automatic limits you to automatics.
New driversFor the first year you display an 'L' sign. For the first 2 years you start with 8 points instead of 12.
Already have a licence from abroad?EU and EEA licences stay valid. Licences from the DGT's agreement list (including the UK, Japan and South Korea) are exchanged without tests within 6 months of becoming resident. Others need the theory and driving tests.
Also worth knowing
  • Practise with the DGT's own free online tests: they use the official question style.
  • Exam slots are allocated through driving schools and can be scarce in big cities.

Step by step

  1. Medical checkAt an authorised CRC centre.
  2. Driving schoolEnrol, study theory, pay the DGT fee.
  3. Theory test30 questions in 30 minutes, at most 3 mistakes.
  4. Driving lessonsIn the school's dual-control car.
  5. Driving testAround 25 minutes in normal traffic. Then 1 year with the 'L' sign.

Tips From driving schools and examiners

  • Faults come in 3 levels. You fail with 1 eliminating fault, 2 serious faults, 1 serious plus 5 minor ones, or 10 minor ones.
  • Ignoring a give way, stop or no-entry sign is eliminating. So is passing too close to pedestrians or cyclists.
  • Speed is marked in steps: 10–20 km/h over the limit is a minor fault, 20–30 km/h serious, and over 30 km/h eliminating. Driving far too slowly is also marked.
  • The test isn't over until you've parked and switched off the engine. Take no more than 2 minutes to park.
  • If you fail, read the examiner's sheet so you know exactly what to fix.

Based on: RACE: Faults in the practical driving test (Spanish) ↗

Official links

DGT: Driving licences ↗BOE: Driving licence regulations (Reglamento General de Conductores) ↗Last checked 20 Oct 2026
Wrong information? Help us fix itTell us what's incorrect and we'll check it against the official sources.

About: This page

Frequently asked questionsCoverage, sources and how RoadVisa works.

Why isn't my country listed?

RoadVisa is still growing. It covers 42 countries and all 50 US states plus Washington, D.C. so far, and more are added step by step. Each country is checked against its own official sources, in its own language, before it goes live.

Why isn't Africa covered?

Many African licensing authorities publish little detail about their driving rules online, so we can't yet check the answers against official sources. We'll add African countries as official information becomes available.

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What's the difference between Visiting and Moving?

Visiting covers short stays such as holidays and business trips, when you keep your home licence. Moving covers becoming a resident, when most countries want you to exchange your licence or take tests by a deadline.

What is an International Driving Permit?

A translation of your licence in a standard format. It's only valid together with your own licence, and you get it in the country that issued your licence, usually from a motoring club or the licensing authority. RoadVisa tells you when a country expects one.

Does RoadVisa cover motorcycles or trucks?

Not yet. The answers are about car licences: category B in Europe, and the local equivalent elsewhere, such as Class C or D in most US states. Other licences may follow later.

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