DGT Theory Test in English (2026): The Complete Guide

Updated: August 2026. Yes, you can sit the Spanish DGT theory test in English for the car licence (Permiso B). The bigger news for 2026 is that the exam itself changed: from 5 February 2026 the DGT added risk-perception video clips on top of the classic 30-question test, and new low-emission-zone and personal-mobility-vehicle signs entered the question bank. This guide sets out exactly how the test works now, what it costs, which languages are allowed, and how to prepare in English, with every figure sourced.

The DGT theory test at a glance

Sources: Reglamento General de Conductores (RD 818/2009); DGT "Test de predicción de riesgos"; sector fee reporting (2026). Full list at the end.

Key takeaways

01. English is available for the car licence. You can take the Permiso B theory exam in English. It is widely offered but not printed on a single official DGT page, so confirm it when you book.

02. The test changed in February 2026. The 30-question test stays, but risk-perception videos and new ZBE/VMP signs were added, shifting the exam away from pure memorisation.

03. The pass rule is unchanged. 30 questions, 30 minutes, a maximum of 3 mistakes.

04. The fee is modest; lessons are the real cost. The exam fee is EUR 94.05, but a full licence typically runs EUR 1,000 to 1,400 once practical lessons are counted.

05. The practical test is Spanish-only. English helps on the theory exam; you still need enough Spanish to follow the examiner on the road.

Can you take the DGT test in English?

For the car licence (Permiso B), yes. The theory exam can be sat in English, and also in Spanish, French, German, and the regional co-official languages where they apply, such as Catalan, Galician, Basque and Valencian. You choose the language when you book your appointment.

One honest caveat: English availability for Permiso B is well established and offered by driving schools across Spain, but it is not spelled out on a single official DGT web page, and the exact languages can depend on your local Jefatura. Confirm English when you book. Motorcycle and lorry categories are generally examined in Spanish. For a full breakdown, see what languages the DGT theory test is available in.

The practical driving test is a different matter: it is conducted in Spanish. You will need enough Spanish to follow the examiner's directions on the road. The theory exam is where English helps most.

Exam format: questions, time and pass mark

The format is set by the Reglamento General de Conductores (Real Decreto 818/2009): 30 questions in 30 minutes, and you pass with a maximum of 3 mistakes. Each question has a short scenario or a sign with two or three answer options. The test is taken on a computer at the DGT office, and you find out whether you passed shortly afterwards.

For a full breakdown of the scoring and the current fees, read the DGT theory exam format, pass mark and cost.

What changed in 2026: the risk-perception videos

This is the most important update in years. From 5 February 2026, the DGT added a risk-perception element to the theory exam: short video clips filmed in real driving situations, where you have to anticipate developing hazards, such as a pedestrian stepping out, a cyclist in a blind spot, or a junction with poor visibility. The traditional 30-question test remains, but it is no longer the only thing the exam measures. The DGT's stated goal is to move away from rote memorisation toward real-time hazard perception, closer in spirit to the UK hazard perception test.

The 2026 update also brought new signs into the question bank, including low-emission-zone (ZBE) and personal-mobility-vehicle (VMP) signs, reflecting how Spanish cities now regulate traffic. If you are sitting the exam in 2026, prepare for both the videos and the newer signs. We cover the change in detail in the new DGT risk prediction test explained, and summarise everything in the 2026 DGT exam changes.

What the test covers

The questions are drawn from the official DGT syllabus. The main areas are:

• Traffic signs and road markings.
• Priority and right of way.
• Speed limits and safe distances.
• Overtaking and manoeuvres.
• Alcohol, drugs and driver fitness.
• Vehicle documents, lighting and safety equipment.
• Accidents and first aid.

Road signs are one of the biggest topics, and they trip up a lot of English speakers because Spanish signs use letter codes such as R and P. Our Spanish road signs in English guide explains what each one means. You can also drill signs by topic on the practice topics page.

What it costs

The official DGT exam fee is small; the real cost of a licence is the practical lessons. The exam fee (tasa 1.1) is EUR 94.05 and, having been frozen for 2026, covers two exam attempts. On top of that sit the medical/psychotechnical check and, for most people, driving-school charges.

The full cost breakdown, including regional differences, is in the format, pass mark and cost guide.

How to book the exam in English

You book the theory exam through the DGT, usually online at the DGT sede electronica or through your driving school (autoescuela). When you book, you select English as the exam language, and you confirm it is available at your chosen office. Most people also need a valid medical certificate before they can sit the exam. The step-by-step process is in how to book the DGT theory exam in English, and the whole licence journey, including residency and the medical, is covered in how to get a Spanish driving licence as a foreigner.

What this means for foreigners

If you are an English-speaking resident, the practical implications are straightforward. You can clear the knowledge barrier by sitting the theory exam in English, but you should still build enough Spanish for the practical test, which is not offered in English. The 2026 risk-perception videos reward genuine driving judgement over memorised answers, which actually favours experienced drivers from other countries. And if you already hold a valid licence from an eligible country, you may be able to exchange it and skip the exams entirely; the routes are set out in the foreigner licence guide.

How to prepare in English

The theory exam rewards practice more than reading. The questions follow set patterns, so the more official-format questions you answer in English, the more the wording and the tricks become familiar.

With DGTTestPro you can:

• Take a free sample test to see the real exam format in English.
• Practise Permiso B questions in English, the same category you sit at the DGT.
• Work through full mock exams timed like the real thing, 30 questions in 30 minutes.
• Read the explanation after every answer, so you learn why the correct option is correct.

If you want unlimited tests and every 2026 question, see the pricing. A focused week or two of daily practice is enough for most people to pass.

Frequently asked questions

Is the DGT theory test really available in English?

Yes, for the car licence (Permiso B). You choose English when you book your appointment, and the exam content is identical to the Spanish version. Availability is widely offered but can depend on your local office, so confirm it at booking.

How many questions are on the DGT theory test?

30 questions, and you have 30 minutes. You pass with 27 correct or more, which is a maximum of 3 mistakes. This is set by Real Decreto 818/2009.

What are the 2026 changes to the theory test?

From 5 February 2026 the DGT added risk-perception video clips and new low-emission-zone (ZBE) and personal-mobility-vehicle (VMP) signs. The 30-question test remains, but the exam now also tests hazard anticipation.

How much does the DGT theory exam cost?

The exam fee (tasa 1.1) is EUR 94.05 and covers two attempts. A full licence, including lessons and the medical, typically costs EUR 1,000 to 1,400.

Can I take the practical test in English too?

No. The practical driving test is conducted in Spanish, so you need enough Spanish to follow the examiner. Only the theory exam is offered in English.

How long does it take to prepare?

Most people who practise official-format questions daily are ready in one to three weeks. It depends on how much driving theory you already know.

Where do I take the exam?

In person at your local Jefatura Provincial de Trafico (DGT office). You cannot take the official theory exam from home.

Sources

• Reglamento General de Conductores (Real Decreto 818/2009) - theory-exam format.
• DGT - Test de predicción de riesgos - the 2026 risk-perception element.
• Spanish motoring press on the 5 February 2026 changes (Motor16, Carwow, El Confidencial Digital), 2026.
• Spanish autoescuela-sector pricing (practicatest.com, RACC), 2026 - costs and the fee freeze.

Last updated: August 2026.