Driver’s License in Spain
So, you’ve arrived in Spain, rented an apartment, settled in, and now you want to explore neighboring cities by car. But… How long are your driving licenses valid, and can you use them? Today, we’ll try to answer the most frequently asked questions about Category B driving licenses in Spain.
This article will focus on the use of Russian driving licenses.
Are My Licenses Valid in Spain?
Yes, but only for the first 180 days from the date of arrival in the country (as a tourist) or from the date of obtaining your residency. Once this period expires, you will need to take the theoretical and practical exams on a general basis to obtain a Spanish license.
This applies to almost all countries except the EU and those with which Spain has an agreement for automatic license exchange (e.g., Turkey). If you obtain a license in another EU country, you won’t need to re-register it after moving.
“But people in online forums say they’ve been driving here for 10 years with Russian licenses, and everything is fine…”
Yes, that happens. The reason for this is that in Spain, cars are rarely stopped for document checks. However, sudden checks do occur, and the fine for this violation is 200 euros. Even if you’re not afraid of fines, in case of an accident, you may face significant issues with the insurance company, including denial of coverage. And driving without insurance is absolutely not allowed here.
Licenses can only be validated if your country is on this list. Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan are not on it, so their citizens will have to take the exam again.
“What if I exchange my Russian license for a Turkish one and then exchange the Turkish one for a Spanish one?”
Unfortunately, that won’t work: double exchanges are not allowed unless the countries sign a relevant agreement.
How Do I Take the Driving Exam in Spain?
Let us cheer you up: it is not mandatory to attend a driving school to take the theoretical exam. You can sign up for the exam yourself on the website of the local traffic police — DGT. You will need to bring a medical certificate and your TIE.
The theoretical exam is available in Spanish, English, French, and German. There are Russian-speaking driving schools in Spain, but the exam cannot be taken in Russian.
You can choose practice tests on the website.
The driving test, unfortunately, is only available through registration via a driving school. The practical exam only includes city driving, with no designated test site.
You have the right to take the exam in an automatic car. However, keep in mind that in this case, you won’t be allowed to drive a manual car, and if caught, you will be fined 500 euros, and the car will be towed.
After successfully passing all exams, you will receive a 10-year driver’s license. You can obtain a license with both full residency and a student residency. If your residency expires, your license won’t be canceled, but you’ll need to apply for a new residency with valid documents. When you switch from residency back to a Schengen visa, your license simply won’t be renewed.
We wish you the best of luck in obtaining your driver’s license! And our personal messages are always open for your questions.
See you again!