The DGT theory test in English

Spain's driving authority publishes the Class B theory exam in English. This guide explains how to book it, what to expect at the exam centre, and how to prepare so you pass on the first attempt.

Try a free test in English -> See Permiso B details

The exam, at a glance

Questions: 30
Duration: 30 min
Pass mark: 27 / 30
Fee (2026): €94.05

How to prepare for the English test

Step 1 - Learn the format, not just the answers. 30 questions in 30 minutes is fast. Practise with a timer so you learn to recognise question types instantly and avoid second-guessing.
Step 2 - Study every chapter, not just the favourites. Road signs and traffic rules dominate, but every theme can appear: vehicle mechanics, first aid, environment, alcohol & medication, special vehicles.
Step 3 - Train on the official bank. Practice questions that are paraphrased from the real bank give a false sense of readiness. Use a platform whose questions are imported directly from the DGT.
Step 4 - Drill your weak spots. Plenty of students plateau by re-doing what they already know. Use the failed-questions review to attack the items you keep getting wrong.
Step 5 - Simulate the exam in full. Do at least 5 full 30/30 exam simulations under timer before you book. If your last 3 simulations are above 28/30, you are ready.

Booking the English exam

There are two routes to book.

Through a driving school (autoescuela)

Most expats book through an autoescuela because the school handles the paperwork, schedules the exam, and provides the practical lessons. Ask explicitly for the English exam - not all clerks volunteer it.

As a free candidate (por libre)

Cheaper but more admin: you submit the forms (psicotécnico medical, fee 2.3, NIE / TIE) to the Jefatura de Tráfico yourself. You still need to find a school for the practical, since DGT requires a dual-control car.

On exam day

Arrive at least 30 minutes early. Late candidates are not admitted.
Bring valid photo ID (passport, TIE or DNI) and your appointment confirmation.
Phones must be silenced and out of sight - no smartwatches either.
The test is on-screen at the centre. You can flag questions to revisit before submitting.
You usually get the result the same day or within 24 hours.

Frequently asked questions

Is the DGT theory test available in English?

Yes. Since 2024 the Spanish Dirección General de Tráfico has published an official English translation of the Class B (car) theory exam. The English version is the same 30-question multiple-choice test, translated and validated by the DGT itself, and is available at most DGT exam offices across Spain.

Which DGT offices offer the English exam?

Most major provincial DGT offices in cities and tourist regions - Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Málaga, Alicante, the Balearics, the Canaries - offer the English test. Smaller rural offices may not. When your driving school (or you, if presenting as a free candidate) books the exam, you select the language on the booking form. If your local office does not offer English, you can ask to be assigned to one that does.

How is the exam structured?

30 multiple-choice questions in 30 minutes. Three answer options per question, one correct. You may miss up to 3 questions - 27/30 is a pass. The questions are drawn from the official DGT bank, which DGTTestPro mirrors in full.

What do I need to bring on exam day?

A valid ID (passport, TIE, or DNI), proof of your exam appointment, and the receipt of the €94.05 DGT fee if you paid it yourself. Phones must be silenced and stored - you cannot have them on the desk. Arrive at least 30 minutes early; latecomers are not admitted.

Do I have to use a Spanish driving school (autoescuela)?

For the theory test, no - you can present as a free candidate (por libre) if you handle the paperwork yourself. For the practical test, most expats find a driving school is the simpler path, both for the lessons and because the school provides the car. Some schools advertise themselves as bilingual; this is more common in Madrid, Barcelona and the Costa del Sol.

How many times can I take the test?

You have two attempts at the theory test per exam fee paid. If you fail both, you pay a new exam fee for two more attempts. There is no limit on retries, but most candidates pass on the first attempt if they have practised the official question bank.

How does DGTTestPro help me prepare in English?

DGTTestPro is a bilingual practice platform. Every question appears in English and Spanish on the same screen - useful both for understanding and for picking up the Spanish vocabulary that may appear on signs and instructions on exam day. The exam-simulation mode mirrors the real format exactly: 30 questions, 30 minutes, instant scoring against the 27-mark pass threshold.