How to Book the DGT Theory Exam in English

To book the DGT theory exam in English, you have two paths: let an autoescuela (driving school) register you and set your language, or do it yourself (por libre) using the official exam request. Either way, English is available for the car licence (Permiso B), and you must have your NIE and a valid medical certificate before you can sit the test. This guide walks through each step, the fee, and what to bring on exam day.

If you are still deciding whether English is right for you, start with the pillar guide, the DGT theory test in English. If you want the wider picture of the whole licence process, see how to get a Spanish driving licence as a foreigner.

Two ways to book: autoescuela or por libre

There are two routes to the exam, and the booking works differently for each. Most candidates in Spain are presented through an autoescuela, which handles the paperwork, the appointment, and the exam language for you. The alternative is going por libre, where you register yourself directly with the DGT. Both routes sit the same official exam.

Booking through an autoescuela

This is the most common route. You enrol at a driving school, and the school registers you for the theory exam, chooses the date, and sets your exam language. If you want to sit the test in English, tell the autoescuela clearly when you enrol, and confirm they have requested English for you. The school does the administrative work; you focus on studying.

The trade-off is cost. Going through an autoescuela usually means paying for a package, and a full course through a school in Spain commonly runs from about 1,000 to 1,400 euros once you include enrolment, practical lessons, the exam fee, and the medical check. The exact price varies a lot by city and school.

Booking por libre (independent)

If you prefer to organise everything yourself, you can present por libre. This means you register directly with the DGT and book your own appointment, without a driving school handling it. It can be cheaper, because you only pay the official fee and your medical certificate rather than a full course, but you take on the paperwork yourself.

Going independent suits people who already know how to drive and mainly need to pass the theory and practical exams. If you are new to driving, an autoescuela's structure and practical lessons are usually worth the extra cost.

Before you can book: NIE and medical certificate

Before you register for the exam by either route, you need two things in place: identification as a foreigner, and a valid medical and psychotechnical certificate. Sort these out early, because a missing document is the most common reason a booking cannot go ahead.

Your NIE or TIE

As a foreigner in Spain, you need your identification number to register for the exam. EU citizens usually hold an NIE, while non-EU residents typically have a TIE card. This number ties your exam and your future licence to your legal identity in Spain. Make sure it is current before you start the booking process.

A valid medical and psychotechnical certificate

You must pass a medical and psychotechnical check at an authorised centre (a centro de reconocimiento de conductores) before the DGT will issue your licence, and it is needed as part of your file. The check tests your eyesight, reflexes, and general fitness to drive. It usually costs somewhere around 30 to 50 euros, often 35 to 40, and the centre sends the result to the DGT electronically.

Get the certificate done before or alongside your booking so it is valid when you need it. If you book through an autoescuela, they will usually point you to a nearby centre.

How to book: cita previa and the exam request

The DGT uses an appointment system called cita previa. You can request an appointment online through the official site, sede.dgt.gob.es, or by phone on 060, the general government information number. If an autoescuela is presenting you, they handle this appointment on your behalf.

Independent (por libre) candidates register themselves using the official exam request form, known as Modelo 04. This is where you formally ask to sit the exam and provide your details.

Choosing English as your exam language

English is available for the car licence (Permiso B) only. The motorcycle, lorry, and bus categories are examined in Spanish or a regional co-official language, not English. So the first condition is simply that you are sitting the Permiso B theory exam.

The language is set as part of your exam registration: either through the exam request when you go por libre, or by your autoescuela when they present you. We would avoid promising a specific "tick English here" button in the online flow, because the exact placement of that step is not something we can confirm and it can change. The safest approach is to state clearly that you want English and confirm it with your centre or autoescuela before the exam is fixed. Availability of English can also vary by centre, so confirm it at registration. For the full language rules, see what languages the DGT theory test is available in.

The exam fee: 94,05 euros for two attempts

The DGT charges an exam fee, called a tasa. For the theory and practical exams the relevant fee is tasa 1.1, which is 94,05 euros and grants you two exam attempts. So if you do not pass on your first try, that same fee covers a second sitting.

Fees can change, so check the live figure and pay on the official page before you book: the DGT tasas page at sede.dgt.gob.es. If you go through an autoescuela, this fee is usually included in what they charge, but confirm it is listed. For a fuller cost breakdown, see the DGT theory exam format, pass mark and cost.

On exam day: what to bring and when to arrive

On the day, bring your identification document (your NIE or TIE, and your passport or ID card) and any confirmation of your appointment. Arrive early. Give yourself time to find the office, check in, and settle before the test starts, because latecomers can lose their slot.

The exam is computer-based and taken in person at a Jefatura Provincial de Trafico. It is 30 questions in 30 minutes, and you pass with 27 correct, meaning no more than 3 mistakes. Once you sit down, the questions appear in the language you registered for. If you selected English, read each question carefully; the wording follows patterns you will recognise if you have practised official-format questions.

Frequently asked questions

Can I book the DGT theory exam in English myself?

Yes. Independent (por libre) candidates register themselves with the DGT using the exam request (Modelo 04) and can sit the Permiso B theory exam in English. Confirm the English option with your exam centre, as availability can vary.

Do I need an autoescuela to take the exam?

No. You can present por libre and book directly with the DGT. An autoescuela is optional; it handles the paperwork and offers practical lessons, but it is not required to sit the theory exam.

How much does the DGT theory exam cost?

The exam fee is tasa 1.1, which is 94,05 euros and covers two attempts. On top of that you pay a medical and psychotechnical check, usually around 30 to 50 euros. Always confirm the current fee on the official sede.dgt.gob.es page.

What do I need before I can book?

You need your NIE or TIE and a valid medical and psychotechnical certificate from an authorised centre. Sort both out early, as a missing document is the most common reason a booking stalls.

What happens if I fail the exam?

The 94,05 euro tasa 1.1 fee grants two attempts, so a second sitting is covered by the same fee. If you use up both attempts, you pay the tasa again to continue. Practising official-format questions first is the best way to pass on the first try.

Sources

• DGT sede electrónica, tasas (tasa 1.1, EUR 94.05, frozen for 2026).
• Reglamento General de Conductores (Real Decreto 818/2009).

Last updated: August 2026.