Exchanging a Romanian driving licence in Spain
Romania is an EU member state, so Romanian residents in Spain can exchange their permis de conducere for a Spanish licence with no theory or practical exam. Here is the 2026 process, step by step.
Status (June 2026): Exchange is available at all Jefaturas Provinciales de Trafico. As an EU licence, the Romanian permis de conducere is recognised under EU Directive 2006/126/EC. No theory or practical exam is required.
Who is eligible
You can exchange your Romanian licence without any exam if all of the following are true:
- You are a legal resident of Spain (registered on the padron, or have a TIE or NIE).
- Your Romanian licence is currently valid (not expired).
- Your licence was issued in Romania (EU licences issued by other EU states follow the same process).
- You are physically fit to drive - assessed by the psicotecnico.
Special situations
Pre-2013 Romanian licence format
Older Romanian licences issued before 2013 use a pink or red booklet format rather than the EU credit-card format. Most holders will have already renewed these. If yours is still in the old format, check with your local DGT office before booking - the office may accept it directly or may ask you to renew in Romania first.
Expired Romanian licence
An expired Romanian licence cannot be exchanged. If your licence expired within the last year, you can usually renew it at the Romanian Embassy in Madrid (Str. Bucaresti / Calle Velazquez 118) or at a Romanian consulate. Once renewed, the standard exchange process applies.
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.
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2
Pay the DGT fee (Tasa 2.3)
€28.87 in 2026. Pay online at sede.dgt.gob.es, search "Tasa 2.3 canje". Print the receipt - you will need it at your appointment.
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3
Book a cita previa
Online at sedeclave.dgt.gob.es. Choose "Tramites de conductores" - "Canje de permiso de conduccion de pais de la UE/EEE". Pick your Jefatura. Madrid and Barcelona can be 4-8 weeks; smaller offices often have slots 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 Romanian licence and receive a temporary paper Spanish permit on the spot.
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5
Wait for the physical licence
Posted to your address typically 4-8 weeks later. Drive on the temporary paper permit in the meantime - it is fully valid in Spain and across the EU/EEA.
Documents checklist
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Original Romanian permis de conducere (valid) | Must be in date. Expired licences cannot be exchanged. |
| TIE or NIE + empadronamiento certificate | As an EU/EEA citizen a TIE is not required - a valid NIE plus a current empadronamiento certificate works as proof of residency. |
| Medical certificate (psicotecnico) | From a DGT-authorised centro de reconocimiento de conductores. Walk-in, takes 20-30 minutes, costs €30-50. 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. Print the receipt. |
| Recent passport-style photo | 32x26mm, white background, taken within 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 de la UE/EEE". |
Official document list at sede.dgt.gob.es.
Frequently asked questions
Can I exchange my Romanian driving licence for a Spanish one?
Yes. Romania is an EU member state and Romanian driving licences are recognised across the EU under Directive 2006/126/EC. Romanian residents in Spain can exchange their licence at any DGT Jefatura Provincial de Trafico without sitting any theory or practical exam.
Do I need to take any exam to get a Spanish licence?
No. Under EU mutual recognition rules, no theory or practical exam is required. The exchange is a purely administrative process: you hand in your Romanian licence and receive a Spanish one of equivalent category.
How long can I drive in Spain on my Romanian licence?
As an EU citizen you can drive in Spain on a valid Romanian licence indefinitely. However, once you register as a legal resident (via padron or TIE), the DGT expects you to exchange it. If you are stopped by traffic police or involved in an incident after establishing residency, having a Spanish licence avoids complications. In practice, exchange as soon as you have stable residency.
What if my Romanian licence has expired?
An expired licence cannot be exchanged. If your Romanian licence has expired, you must renew it first - either at the Romanian embassy in Madrid or consulate in Barcelona, or by visiting Romania. Once renewed and valid, you can proceed with the standard exchange. If the licence has been expired for a very long time, contact your local DGT office to confirm they will still accept it for exchange.
Do I have to surrender my original Romanian licence?
Yes. You hand the original Romanian permis de conducere to the DGT at your exchange appointment. The DGT returns it to the Romanian authority via diplomatic channels. Take a colour photocopy for your records before the appointment.
How much does the exchange cost?
Around €60-100 total: DGT administrative fee (Tasa 2.3) €28.87 (2026), psicotecnico medical certificate €30-50 at an authorised centro de reconocimiento de conductores, plus passport photos. No exam fee is required.
What happens to categories beyond Category B - truck, motorcycle, bus?
Categories map directly: Romanian A, B, C, D, BE, CE and other categories are recognised and exchanged for their Spanish equivalents. Bring your Romanian licence showing all categories. If your Romanian licence lists restricted or conditional codes (e.g. glasses, automatic only), those restrictions carry over to the Spanish licence.
How long does the physical Spanish licence card take to arrive?
Typically 4-8 weeks after your DGT appointment. At the appointment you receive a temporary paper permit (autorizacion provisional) that is fully valid for driving in Spain while you wait. The physical credit-card-format licence arrives by post to your registered address.
Last updated: 2026-06-21. Always confirm fees and document requirements at sede.dgt.gob.es before acting.