What to expect at the medical test for your Spanish driving licence

The medical and psychotechnical test (reconocimiento) is a required step for your Spanish driving licence. Here is where you take it, what it checks, what to bring, how long it takes and what the result means.

Before the DGT issues your Spanish driving licence, you have to pass a short medical and psychotechnical test at an authorised assessment centre. It is quick, routine and nothing to be nervous about, but knowing what happens makes it easier. Here is exactly what to expect.

What is the medical test?

Officially it is the informe de aptitud psicofísica, carried out at a centro de reconocimiento de conductores (a licensed medical and psychotechnical centre). It confirms you are physically and mentally fit to drive. You need it to get a new licence, to renew an existing one, and to exchange certain foreign licences.

Where do you take it?

At any authorised centre (often signed as centro médico psicotécnico). You do not have to go through your autoescuela; you can book directly, and many centres take walk-ins. The centre sends your result to the DGT electronically, so you do not carry paperwork between offices.

What to bring

Your DNI, NIE or passport.
Your glasses or contact lenses if you use them.
The fee, by card or cash. Expect roughly 40 to 60 euros depending on the centre and region.

What the test checks

Eyesight

A standard vision test: reading letters for visual acuity, and often your field of vision and recovery from glare. If you need glasses or lenses to reach the required standard, your licence simply carries a "must wear corrective lenses" condition.

Hearing

A basic hearing check. Hearing aids are fine and, like glasses, may be noted as a condition on the licence.

Coordination and reaction (the psychotechnical part)

This is the part people wonder about. You sit at a machine and do a couple of short exercises that measure hand and foot coordination and reaction time, for example keeping two moving markers on a track. It takes a few minutes. It is not a test of driving skill, it is a screening for serious coordination problems.

General health

A short questionnaire and check covering conditions that affect driving: heart problems, diabetes, epilepsy, medication, alcohol or drug dependence, and sleep disorders. Be honest. Most conditions are compatible with driving, sometimes with a shorter renewal period or a note on the licence.

How long does it take?

Usually 15 to 30 minutes from walking in to walking out.

The result

You are graded apto (fit) or no apto (not fit), and sometimes apto with conditions (for example corrective lenses, or a shorter validity period). The centre uploads the result to the DGT the same day, which clears the medical requirement for your application.

Tips

Wear your glasses or lenses for the eye test if you normally drive with them.
If you take regular medication, that is fine; just mention it.
Avoid alcohol beforehand.
You do not need to study for it. It is a health check, not a knowledge exam.

What this is not

The medical test is separate from the theory exam (the 30-question test on traffic rules and signs) and the practical driving test. Passing the medical says nothing about your driving knowledge. For the theory exam, preparation is what counts, and you can practise official-format questions in English and Spanish with DGTTestPro.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need the medical before the theory test?

A valid medical certificate is part of your licence application. Many people get the medical done early so it is out of the way. The exact order can depend on your case, so check with your autoescuela or the DGT.

Can I fail it?

It is rare for a healthy adult to be found "no apto". Most issues result in a condition on the licence, such as wearing glasses, rather than a refusal.

How long is the certificate valid?

The report is valid for a limited window (commonly around 90 days) to complete your licence paperwork, so do not do it too far in advance.