For English-speaking residents
Driving in Spain as an expat
The honest, practical guide to getting on the road in Spain - whether you arrived from London, Los Angeles, Lagos or Lima. Take the DGT theory test in English, find out if you can swap your foreign licence, and learn the rules that actually catch expats out.
Pick a topic
DGT theory test in English
How to book the English version, which DGT offices offer it, what to bring, how the 30-question exam works.
Exchanging a foreign driving licence
Country-by-country: who can swap their licence, who has to take the test, costs, paperwork, deadlines.
Spanish driving rules you actually need to know
Speed limits, alcohol limits, roundabouts, parking colours, low-emission zones, the demerit-points system.
Driving in Spanish cities
Madrid, Barcelona and more - local quirks, where to take the exam, parking, low-emission zones, common expat mistakes.
The 60-second answer
- Become a registered resident (empadronamiento + TIE / green certificate). The 6-month clock to exchange your licence starts here.
- Check whether your country has a bilateral agreement with Spain. If yes, you can exchange. If no, you must sit the DGT theory and practical tests.
- If you need the theory test: study the English bank, take the official DGT theory exam in English at your assigned office, then book practical lessons.
- Pass the practical, pay the issuance fee, receive your Permiso B.
Why study bilingual
Most English-only platforms hide the Spanish. That works until you sit in a DGT exam centre and the invigilator gives instructions in Spanish, or you read a roadside sign that was not in your practice bank. DGTTestPro shows every question in both languages on the same page - you study in English, but you build the Spanish vocabulary you actually need on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the Spanish DGT theory test in English?
Yes. Since 2024 the DGT publishes an official English version of the Class B (car) theory exam, and most DGT exam centres in Spain offer it. You sit the same 30-question, 30-minute test, with the same pass mark (27/30), translated by the DGT itself.
Do I need to take the theory test if I already have a foreign licence?
It depends on the country that issued your licence. EU/EEA, UK, Swiss, Japanese, Moroccan, Argentinian and several other licences can be exchanged without sitting the test. US, Canadian, Australian, Indian, Mexican and South African licences cannot - those holders must pass the DGT theory and practical exams. See the licence-exchange guide for the full list.
How long do I have to drive on my foreign licence before I have to exchange it?
Six months from the date you register as a resident in Spain. After that, you must drive on a Spanish licence - either an exchange (if your country qualifies) or a freshly issued one (if it does not).
How much does it cost to get a Spanish licence as an expat?
If you can exchange, the DGT administrative fee is €28.87 plus a medical certificate (~€30-€50). If you must take the full test, the DGT theory exam fee is €94.05, plus driving-school practical lessons (typically €600-€1,200 in total, varying by region).
Is DGTTestPro affiliated with the DGT?
No. DGTTestPro is an independent bilingual study aid. It is not a driving school and is not run by the Dirección General de Tráfico. The platform mirrors the official format so practice resembles the real exam.
Ready to start?
Take a free 30-question sample test in English. No signup required.
Start the free sample test ->Last updated: 2026-05-17. Regulatory facts (fees, country list, English-exam availability) change - verify before acting via sede.dgt.gob.es.