Getting a Driver's License in Spain in English

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Updated at 06-09-2023

Gaining an Spanish driver’s license can be easy if you know how. We let you know about what kind of driving licenses you can get in Spain, what vehicles allow you to drive, the three exams you’ll need to pass and all the documents you need to submit.

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Spanish driver's license classes


In Spain, a the official driving license is similar to the one used in most EU countries, made of plastic and the same size as a credit card with a photograph attached to the document.

Now, it’s time to discuss all the requirements you need in order to get your Spain driving license in English.

Ages and types of driver’s licenses

  • A1 permit (Motorcycles with maximum engine power of 11kW and 125cc). You must be 16 years or older. This license cannot be obtained in English.
  • A2 permit (Motorcycles with maximum engine power of 35kW a power-to-weight ratio of under 0.2kW/kg). You must be 18 years or older. This license cannot be obtained in English.
  • B permit (Vehicles 3,500 kg or less with a maximum of 9 spots, including the driver’s seat). You must be 18 years or older. It’s the only license you can take full in English (theory and practical exam, this one only if you have an English teacher).
  • C permit (Vehicles over 3,500 kg). You must be 21 years or older. You can’t take it’s theory exam in English.
  • D permit (Vehicles that transport passengers). You must be 24 years or older. You can’t take it’s theory exam in English.

Examinations before getting a Spanish driving license

Spanish driving exams and DGT centers


All applicants for a Spanish driver’s license must be living in Spain. Applications must be taken at the Provincial Traffic Headquarters (Jefatura de Tráfico) of the province you are living in.

Aside from the application form, the driving schools (autoescuelas) are the key players during the process of getting a valid driving license in Spain and you can also do all the procedures online by your side to save a lot of money and time.

Practicatest you can carry out the whole theoretical process to take class B driving license in Spain studying with all the materials that our online driving school offers to you.

Among others, in our courses you will find out the latest DGT exams with their own explanation, online and paper theory book, summaries and of course the help of your assigned personal driving teacher that will guide you in all the process.

In many physical schools or online driving schools, the theoretical tests can be taken in English. You can also learn the driving theory online in English at certain schools on and offline, and take the official exam in English.

You should contact a driving school if you need more information (we highly recommend www.practicatest.com).


What are the documents you need to get your license?

A medical and mental certificate issued by an authorized driver’s check center (Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores Autorizados) with an ID-size photo. The certificate is valid for 90 days.

  • Application form and fee. When you fill in the application form (available at this link under Impresos https://sede.dgt.gob.es/sede-estaticos/Galerias/modelos-solicitud/04/Mod.04-ES.pdf), you’ll also need to print the fee form (tasas) by selecting the appropriate option from this page (change cantidad from 0 to 1): https://sedeapl.dgt.gob.es:7443/WEB_Tasas6b/jsp/profesionales/index.jspx. Make sure you indicate on the application form that you want to take your Spain driver’s license test in English.
  • Two passport size photographs (32 x 26 mm)
  • A photocopy (and original) of your Spanish residence visa or permit (Residencia) or the copy of your passport with the NIE number (Número de Identificación Extranjera).
  • Proof of your address in Spain, with a date not older than 3 months (enpadronamiento) available from the local town hall.
  • A signed self-declaration stating that there are no pending legal processes, nor any license suspension that would prevent you from driving under any circumstances.
  • A signed self-declaration stating that you do not have any other license in the same category you are applying for.

After submitting all these documents you will be asked to pay in DGT office the enrollment tax which for this year 2024 is 94,12€.


Please remember that the appointment at the DGT office is to deliver your documents and pay the fees. It is not the final exam date.

Once the officer verifies that your documents are correct, they will inform you in person of the final date and time of the exam.



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