Driving licenses in Spain

Ah, the dreaded driving test! Nobody relishes taking exams, and sadly here in Spain the test is generally seen as being more difficult than the UK! To obtain a driving license here in Spain it is necessary to attend driving school and then pass medical, written and practical exams!

Of course, if you’ve arrived from another country to Spain, and you already have your license, you can consider yourself lucky! There are some rules applying to you, and we cover those below too.

Learning

The average price for a one hour lesson in Spain is about €25. When you are ready to take your exams you pay for a batch ofthree tries. However this only covers two tries per type of test. So if, for instance, you don’t pass your theory until your second attempt, you then only have one try at the practical. Should you fail your theory test twice for example, you will have to pay a second fee of about €160.

Step 1 – The medical exam

By all accounts, passing the medical exams is extremely easy! Just a perfunctory eye test and a once over, and you are ready for step two…

Step 2 – The theory exam

The theory exam consists of forty multiple choice questions. You are allowed only four incorrect answers! It is said to be extremely difficult and can even include questions about mechanics, first-aid and even vehicle technical specifications! Luckily practice papers and the tests are available in several languages. You have to pass your theory exam before you can take the practical exam.

Step 3 – The practical exam

The practical exam lasts for thirty minutes and takes place in live traffic. Drivers can expect to face city streets, alleys, roundabouts, hills, and of course, the dreaded parallel parking manoeuvre!

When the exam has finished you’ll receive your results from your instructor once the examiner has departed the scene! Just like the written exam, should you fail, you can take it again. After all…who passes the first time?

If you fail you will have to wait about three weeks before going round again. Unlike the UK, here in Spain, there are no provisional licences. Before you pass your test, the only person you can drive with is your instructor.

You passed!

Once you pass your test you will be awarded a green and white L-plate. For one year, you are not allowed to drive in excess of 80kph. For two years you are not allowed to drive with an alcohol level of more than 0.3g (as opposed to the normal level of 0.5g). That is of course practically zero tolerance for alcohol.

Drivers from outside Spain

If you’ve arrived here in Sunny Spain from foreign shores, these are the rules that apply to you!

EU Countries visiting Spain

If you hold a driving licence from an EU country, it is automatically valid in Spain. Lucky you!

EU Countries resident in Spain

If you are a full time resident you must alter your license. There are two options: either get your current EU license “stamped” at the “Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico” or you exchange your license for a full Spanish version. You will need a copy of your residencia, your current driving licence (original), two photos and a signed form which can obtain from police station.

It takes about two weeks for the papers to go through, and the cost is about €46.

Non-EU Countries

We’re sorry! All other countries, can drive for just six months and must then obtain a Spanish licence (see above).

The driving school will handle the paperwork for you. To apply for a test you will need to present a copy of your residencia, passport photographs, a completed application form and of course the fee of €160.

The driving license documents

The Spanish driving licence is a plastic card, the same size as a credit-card, with your personal information and photograph printed on one side, and driving information on the other. It must be carried whenever you are driving here in Spain

This article was written on Friday, March 26th, 2010
It's filed under: "Paperwork!"

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