Traffic rulesSpain

The Directorate-General for Traffic (Dirección General de Tráfico or DGT) issues driving permits and licences in most of Spain. The Basque Country, Catalonia and Navarre exercise transferred traffic functions within their territories.

The main framework is the General Driver Regulations, approved by Royal Decree 818/2009, together with the Traffic and Road Safety Law and related regulations.

Yes. A valid Spanish licence is recognised throughout Spain, subject to its categories, restrictions and current legal status.

Yes. A valid Spanish EU-format licence is generally recognised throughout the EU and European Economic Area.

miDGT is the official DGT application for accessing the digital driving licence, vehicle documentation, points information and selected traffic services.

Yes. The official digital licence has the same legal validity as the physical document for driving within Spain.

No. Drivers should carry the physical driving licence when travelling outside Spain.

No. EU rules generally permit only one valid EU or EEA driving licence at a time.

It is generally the country where a person lives for at least 185 days per calendar year because of personal or occupational ties.

Yes. DGT fees and examination rules are national, but driving-school tuition, vehicle use and administrative charges vary.

The minimum age is 18 years.

No. The 2025 EU directive creates a future accompanied-driving framework from age 17, but Spain had not yet implemented that entitlement in domestic law on 4 August 2026.

Yes. The first knowledge-test appointment may normally take place during the three months before the minimum age is reached.

No. The applicant must have reached the minimum age before the category B entitlement can be obtained.

Yes, or prove qualifying studies in Spain for at least six months where the applicable EU rule permits that route.

The applicant must provide a valid DNI, NIE, passport or other accepted identity and residence documentation.

Yes. A resident who satisfies identity, normal-residence, medical and examination requirements can apply.

Yes. The applicant must declare that no equivalent EU or EEA licence is held and that no restriction or suspension prevents licensing.

No. A judicial or administrative driving prohibition must be resolved before a new entitlement can be granted.

No separate school-leaving qualification is required, but the applicant must understand the examination and safely perform the required tasks.

Yes. Individual assessment, vehicle adaptations, restriction codes or a specialised practical test may be used.

It can be processed through a driving school or directly with the competent traffic office using the DGT procedures.

Yes. The applicant must obtain a favourable report from an authorised Driver Recognition Centre.

It assesses vision, hearing, coordination, reaction, general health and conditions that may affect safe driving.

Yes. Visual acuity, field of vision and other relevant visual functions are assessed.

Yes. A harmonised restriction code is recorded when corrective lenses must be used.

Yes. A restriction may require hearing assistance where it is necessary to satisfy the medical standard.

Yes. Codes can require an automatic transmission, hand controls, modified pedals or another adaptation.

No. The person may be found fit, fit with restrictions, fit for a shorter period or unfit, depending on the individual assessment.

Yes. Specialist reports or further testing may be required when the ordinary examination does not establish fitness.

Yes. The normal renewal period may be reduced when health requires earlier reassessment.

A driver must not drive when physically or psychologically unfit, and the authority can review, restrict or withdraw the entitlement when fitness is in doubt.

No. An applicant may prepare independently and apply for the theory examination directly.

Yes. Most applicants use a driving school for theory preparation, administration, practical lessons and the examination vehicle.

No fixed national minimum number of ordinary practical lessons applies. The instructor should determine when the learner is ready.

The DGT recommends lessons of at least about 45 minutes and practice on different types of road.

No. Practical learning on public roads must take place under the authorised driving-school and instructor framework.

An authorised driving instructor working through an approved driving school provides on-road instruction.

A properly authorised driving-school vehicle with the required identification and dual controls is used.

Yes. The examination file can be transferred, and valid passed tests remain effective within their legal validity period.

It should cover traffic rules, signs, safe driving, vulnerable road users, vehicle safety, environmental driving, alcohol, drugs and collision duties.

No. The DGT independently assesses the applicant in the required tests.

Yes. The DGT offers free sample tests and accessibility resources for examination preparation.

Yes. Measures include easy-reading material and adaptations for applicants with recognised comprehension or communication needs.

The DGT or the competent transferred traffic authority conducts the official examination.

The standard test contains 30 multiple-choice questions.

Each question normally has three possible answers, with one correct answer.

The applicant may normally make no more than three errors.

The ordinary time is approximately 30 minutes, with authorised extensions for eligible applicants.

The examination covers road rules, signs, safety, vehicle use, hazards, vulnerable users, alcohol, drugs and responsible driving.

Yes. The test can include photographs, diagrams and audiovisual hazard-perception material under the current examination framework.

Language options and authorised accessibility support depend on the test centre and DGT arrangements. Applicants should confirm availability before booking.

The result can be consulted through the DGT online service or miDGT, normally from the same or next working day depending on the test format.

It remains valid for two years.

The applicant must pass the theory examination again.

Yes. A valid theory pass is required before the category B road test.

It is conducted on roads open to general traffic using an approved driving-school vehicle.

No. Category B manoeuvres are assessed as part of the on-road examination rather than through a separate circuit test.

The minimum driving time for category B is normally 25 minutes.

During part of the test, the applicant follows a destination, route or navigation instruction with limited examiner direction.

The examiner assesses preparation, observation, vehicle control, positioning, speed, priority, signs, manoeuvres and safe interaction with other road users.

Faults are classified as eliminatory, deficient or minor.

Failure occurs with one eliminatory fault, two deficient faults, one deficient plus five minor faults, or ten minor faults.

Yes. A necessary intervention to prevent danger normally results in an eliminatory fault.

Yes. The applicant may submit a complaint within 15 working days and may later lodge the applicable administrative appeal.

The applicant receives or can download a provisional authorisation while the definitive card is produced.

It is valid for three months.

No. It authorises driving only within Spain.

The V-13 novice-driver sign must be displayed for one year after the first driving entitlement is obtained.

It is displayed clearly at the rear-left side of the vehicle in the prescribed position.

A new driver starts with eight points.

After two years without committing an offence that causes a points deduction.

The limit is 0.3 grams per litre of blood or 0.15 milligrams per litre of breath.

A minor driving any authorised vehicle must maintain zero alcohol.

Normally no, if the person already held another driving entitlement long enough; the detailed rule depends on the entitlement previously held.

No. Points belong to the driver record rather than each individual category.

No. They obey the same posted and statutory speed limits as other drivers.

Yes, subject to the category, restriction codes, age rules and any separate professional requirements.

AM covers two- or three-wheel mopeds and light quadricycles. The minimum age is 15.

A1 covers motorcycles up to 125 cm³, 11 kW and the prescribed power-to-weight ratio. The minimum age is 16.

A2 covers motorcycles up to 35 kW with the prescribed power-to-weight and derivation restrictions. The minimum age is 18.

A covers unrestricted motorcycles and qualifying motor tricycles. It normally requires age 20, two years with A2 and completion of the access course.

B covers vehicles up to 3,500 kg with no more than eight passenger seats in addition to the driver.

It can tow a trailer up to 750 kg, or a heavier trailer when the combination does not exceed 3,500 kg.

It authorises a category B vehicle with a trailer over 750 kg where the combination exceeds 3,500 kg but does not exceed 4,250 kg.

It covers a category B towing vehicle with a trailer or semi-trailer within the BE weight limits.

After holding category B for more than three years, the driver may operate in Spain the motorcycles covered by A1, subject to the national conditions.

C1 covers medium goods vehicles above 3,500 kg and up to 7,500 kg; C covers heavier goods vehicles.

D1 covers smaller passenger vehicles within its seating and length limits; D covers buses with more than eight passenger seats.

No. Motorcycle entitlement must be obtained separately.

Not always. Many professional goods and passenger drivers also need the Certificate of Professional Competence (CAP).

It is the training and examination required for many new professional truck and bus drivers before working commercially.

Yes. Covered professional drivers complete 35 hours of continuing training every five years.

Yes. Depending on the qualification route and category, CAP can permit lower minimum ages than the ordinary category rules.

Yes. C and D categories are renewed more frequently than ordinary car and motorcycle categories.

No. Regional, municipal, operator and vehicle-for-hire requirements apply in addition to the driving licence.

It is the complementary qualification required for drivers transporting dangerous goods in vehicles covered by ADR rules.

No. The driver must hold both the correct driving category and the applicable ADR authorisation.

Yes. The national points system applies, although professional drivers have some different course-frequency and restoration periods.

Yes. The limit is 0.3 g/l in blood or 0.15 mg/l in breath for the professional vehicle groups specified by law.

They are normally valid for 10 years until age 65 and for five years from age 65.

They are normally valid for five years until age 65 and for three years from age 65.

No. Continued licensing depends on psychophysical fitness rather than a fixed upper age.

Yes. A medical condition can justify an earlier renewal date.

It can normally be requested during the three months before expiry.

Yes. Ordinary expiry does not require new theory or practical tests, but the person must not drive until renewal is completed.

It can be processed through an authorised Driver Recognition Centre or through the DGT procedure with a valid fitness report.

The provisional authorisation issued during renewal is normally valid for six months within Spain.

Request a duplicate through the DGT, miDGT or another available authorised channel.

No. The driver register controls the entitlement, and a replacement card cannot override a suspension or loss of validity.

Yes. A valid EU or EEA licence is recognised while it remains in force.

Exchange is generally voluntary, although renewal must be completed in Spain when Spain becomes the holder’s normal-residence country.

After two years of normal residence in Spain, it must be renewed in Spain if its validity exceeds the EU limits applied to the relevant category.

Yes, when it is valid, convention-compliant or accompanied by the required translation or International Driving Permit.

It is normally valid for driving for up to six months after normal residence in Spain begins.

The resident must exchange the licence where an agreement permits it or obtain a Spanish licence through the ordinary process.

Spain exchanges licences from countries with a current bilateral agreement and certain specially recognised jurisdictions.

No. EU and EEA exchanges require no test, while some non-EU commercial categories require additional theory or practical tests.

It is valid for one year.

No. It must be carried together with the valid Spanish licence and is not valid for ordinary driving within Spain.

Most established drivers have 12 points, while new drivers and drivers relicensed after total loss start with eight.

Yes. Offence-free periods can increase it first to 14 and then to the maximum of 15 points.

Normally no more than eight, but specified very serious offences can cause the loss of the entire balance in one day.

Yes. A partial road-safety re-education course can restore up to four points within the applicable limits.

Yes. An approved safe and efficient driving course can add two points, up to the maximum balance of 15, subject to the frequency rules.

The DGT declares loss of validity. The driver must stop driving, complete the full recovery course, observe the disqualification period and pass the required knowledge test.

The general limit remains 0.5 g/l in blood or 0.25 mg/l in breath.

No. Driving with the presence of prohibited drugs in the body is an offence, independently of separate criminal rules for impairment.

Yes. Refusal is a criminal offence and also has major driving-licence consequences.

Yes. A final ban exceeding two years results in loss of validity, requiring the statutory course and process before driving again.

This FAQ was prepared from the consolidated Spanish General Driver Regulations, the Traffic and Road Safety Law, the General Traffic Regulations and current DGT guidance.

Last reviewed: 4 August 2026.

This website is an independent educational resource and is not affiliated with the DGT, a transferred traffic authority, examination centre, Driver Recognition Centre or driving school.

Official legislation and instructions from the competent authority always take precedence.