Exchange a foreign driving licence in Spain (canje)

What licence exchange (canje) is

Licence exchange (canje) is exchanging a foreign driving licence for a Spanish one without starting from scratch.

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It is possible if the issuing country has an agreement (convenio) with Spain; the DGT keeps the list and it changes.

EU/EEA licences are valid in Spain; over time they are registered/exchanged at the DGT, but with no exam.

Without an agreement, ordinary A/B licence exchange (canje) is usually not possible — you must get a Spanish licence (theory + practical) at a driving school (autoescuela); professional licences may have a specific DGT route.

Who this applies to

• Residents of Spain with a foreign licence (non-EU and EU).
• People whose issuing country is on the DGT agreement list (many Latin American countries and others).
• People with no agreement — ordinary licences usually mean the exam; professional categories must be checked separately.
• People who just became residents: a foreign licence is valid only for a limited period.

EU, agreement or exam

• EU/EEA licences: valid; registration/exchange at the DGT with no exam.
• Agreement country: A/B categories are usually exchanged without an exam; C/D categories may require additional tests.
• No-agreement country: ordinary licences usually mean getting a Spanish licence by exam (theory + practical); professional licences may have a specific DGT route.
• The right to a driver medical fitness check (psicotécnico) at a driver-assessment centre as part of the process.
• The right to appeal a DGT refusal within the set period.

Deadlines

• A non-EU foreign licence is usually valid to drive for the first 6 months after you become a resident.
• After 6 months, driving without exchanging / getting a Spanish licence is an offence.
• Plan the DGT route, the cita previa if that route requires it, and the medical early — queues and requirements depend on the country and category.
• EU licences last longer; check whether registration is needed based on how long you have lived here.

Documents

• The foreign driving licence (with a legalised translation if required).
• The identity/residence document requested by the DGT (NIE/TIE, EU certificate, passport/ID) and address/residence proof if your route requires it.
• The psychophysical fitness report (informe de aptitud psicofísica / psicotécnico) from a driver-assessment centre and a photo.
• Payment of the DGT fee (tasa) and the completed exchange application (solicitud de canje).

How to exchange

• Check the DGT list to see whether your country has an agreement (convenio).
• Do the driver medical check (psicotécnico) and get the photo.
• Open the DGT route for your country and category: it shows whether you need online filing, cita previa or additional tests.
• Pay the fee (tasa) and file the documents: licence, identity/residence document, address/residence proof if required, and medical check (psicotécnico).
• Get a temporary permit, then the Spanish licence; the foreign one is usually handed in to the DGT.

Common mistakes

• Driving after 6 months of residence on a foreign licence without exchanging.
• Assuming your country has an agreement without checking the current DGT list.
• Skipping the driver medical check (psicotécnico) — the licence exchange (canje) is not processed without it.
• Letting the foreign licence expire before starting the exchange (canje).
• Thinking an international permit (IDP) replaces licence exchange (canje) for a resident — it does not.
• Trying to exchange a licence obtained in the country of origin after you were already a legal resident in Spain: the DGT usually excludes it, except specific exceptions.

No agreement / refusal

• With no agreement, ordinary A/B licences usually require the Spanish licence exam at a driving school (autoescuela); check professional licences through the specific DGT route.
• A licence-exchange refusal (canje) can be appealed: file an appeal (recurso) within the set period.
• For disputes over category equivalence, check with the DGT and attach the documents.
• Keep your appointment, payment and medical-check (psicotécnico) proof (justificantes).

Related guides

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Frequently asked questions

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