Exchanging a Moroccan driving licence in Spain
Morocco and Spain have had a bilateral driving-licence exchange agreement since 2005. Moroccan residents in Spain can swap their permis de conduire for a Spanish licence with no theory or practical test. Here is the 2026 process, step by step.
Status (June 2026): Exchange is operational at all Jefaturas Provinciales de Trafico. The bilateral agreement covers Category B (car) licence holders resident in Spain. No exam required.
Who is eligible
You can exchange your Moroccan licence without taking any test if all of the following are true:
- You are a legal resident of Spain (TIE issued).
- Your Moroccan permis de conduire is currently valid (not expired).
- You are within six months of the date your TIE was issued.
- You are physically fit to drive - confirmed by the psicotecnico certificate.
Special situations
Expired Moroccan licence
The DGT requires the original licence to be in date at the time of the exchange appointment. If yours has lapsed, contact the Moroccan consulate in Spain to arrange renewal before proceeding.
Motorcycle, truck and bus categories (A, C, D, CAP)
The bilateral agreement fully covers Category B. For other categories, additional medical or aptitude documentation is commonly required. Confirm with your local DGT office before booking.
The process - step by step
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1
Get a psicotecnico (medical/aptitude certificate)
Walk into any centro de reconocimiento de conductores - no appointment usually needed. Takes 20-30 minutes (vision test, reaction-time test, brief medical). Cost: €30-€50. The certificate is issued digitally to the DGT immediately.
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2
Pay the DGT fee (Tasa 2.3)
€28.87 in 2026. Pay online by card via sede.dgt.gob.es, search "Tasa 2.3 canje". Print the receipt - you need it at your appointment.
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3
Book a cita previa
Online at sedeclave.dgt.gob.es. Choose "Tramites de conductores" then "Canje de permiso de conduccion de pais con convenio". Select your Jefatura. Madrid and Barcelona can be 4-8 weeks; smaller cities are often available within days.
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4
Attend your appointment
Bring all documents (see checklist below). The appointment takes 15-30 minutes. You surrender your Moroccan licence and receive a temporary paper Spanish permit on the spot.
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5
Wait for the physical licence
The Spanish plastic licence card is posted to your address, typically 4-8 weeks after the appointment. Drive on the temporary paper permit in the meantime - it is fully valid across Spain.
Documents checklist
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Original Moroccan permis de conduire | Must be currently valid. Expired licences cannot be exchanged. |
| TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) | Proof of Spanish residency. Bring original plus a photocopy. |
| Medical certificate (psicotecnico) | From a DGT-authorised centro de reconocimiento de conductores. Valid for 90 days. |
| Tasa 2.3 - DGT fee receipt | €28.87 (2026). Pay online via sede.dgt.gob.es using modelo 791, or at any bank. |
| Recent passport-style photo | 32x26mm, white background, taken within the last 6 months. |
| Completed application form | Available at the DGT office or downloadable from sede.dgt.gob.es. Select "Canje de permiso de conduccion de pais con convenio". |
Official document list at sede.dgt.gob.es.
If you missed the window
More than six months in Spain without exchanging? You must take the DGT theory and practical exams. The theory test is available in English since 2024. We prepare you with the full official question bank.
Frequently asked questions
Can I exchange my Moroccan driving licence for a Spanish one?
Yes. Spain and Morocco have had a bilateral driving-licence exchange agreement in force since 2005. Moroccan residents in Spain can swap their permis de conduire for a Spanish licence without sitting any theory or practical test. You must be a legal resident (TIE issued) and exchange within six months of registering residency.
How long can I drive in Spain on my Moroccan licence?
Six months from the date your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero) is issued. After that, your Moroccan licence is no longer valid for driving in Spain as a resident. Tourists visiting Spain on a short stay can drive on a Moroccan licence for the duration of their legal stay, but once you register as a resident the six-month clock starts.
Do I have to surrender my original Moroccan licence?
Yes. You hand the original permis de conduire to the DGT at your exchange appointment. They retain it and return it to the Moroccan authorities via diplomatic channels. Take a clear photocopy for your personal records before you go.
What if my Moroccan licence has expired?
An expired licence cannot be exchanged. You must hold a currently valid permis de conduire. If your Moroccan licence has lapsed, you will need to renew it through the Moroccan consulate or CNPAC before the DGT can process the exchange. Some DGT offices have accepted recently expired licences (within days) on a case-by-case basis, but this is not guaranteed - renew first to be safe.
How much does the exchange cost?
Around €60-€100 total. Breakdown: DGT administrative fee (Tasa 2.3) €28.87 in 2026, medical/psychophysical certificate (psicotecnico) €30-€50 at an authorised centre, passport photos a few euros. No driving-school fee is required - no test is involved.
Does my Moroccan licence need to be translated?
No. Because of the bilateral agreement, the DGT accepts the original Moroccan permis de conduire in Arabic and French directly. No certified translation or apostille is required. This is one of the advantages of the bilateral agreement over countries that must use the standard International Driving Permit process.
Does the agreement cover motorcycle, truck and bus categories?
The bilateral agreement fully covers Category B (car, up to 3,500 kg, up to 8 passenger seats). For Category A (motorcycle), C (truck), and D (bus or passenger vehicle), the exchange may require additional medical documentation or aptitude tests. Check with your local Jefatura Provincial de Trafico before booking an appointment for non-B categories.
What if I missed the six-month window?
If more than six months have passed since you registered as a resident and you have not exchanged, you are no longer eligible for the no-test exchange. You must take the full DGT theory exam (available in English) and the practical driving test. Many people in this situation use a driving school (autoescuela) because the practical exam requires a dual-control vehicle.
Last updated: 2026-06-21. Always confirm fees and document requirements at sede.dgt.gob.es before acting.