Spaniards have started cycling more, but a car is still a basic necessity. Driving makes it much easier to get around cities, neighbouring regions and countries. Foreigners moving to Spain do not want to give up this comfort either. Everyone wants their own car so as not to depend on public transport, to save travel time and to be more mobile.
Can you use a driving licence obtained in Russia? How do you get a licence in Spain? What requirements apply to foreigners? What does taking the theory and practical tests involve? How much does the licence cost? You will find out everything in this article.
If you need a licence to drive your own car, it is worth looking at the other half of the task straight away — buying a car as a non-resident: the contract, deregistration and transfer tax.
Are Russian licences valid in Spain?
Many countries have been actively concluding agreements on the mutual recognition of driving licences. But no such agreement has yet been concluded between Russia and Spain. This complicates life for people who want to stay in Spain for good. Residents of Spain can use their country’s international licence for the first 6 months after obtaining a residence permit, and for the duration of a student or tourist visa.
While tourists can hire a car and drive on a Russian licence under the Vienna Convention, anyone who moves to the country must replace their licence with a local one. After six months, foreign nationals must pass the theory and practical tests to obtain a Spanish licence. Bear in mind that a lost Russian licence can only be replaced in Russia.
Who needs to get one
Foreign nationals from all countries that have not signed an agreement on the mutual recognition of driving licences will have to obtain a Spanish licence. Russia has not yet concluded such an agreement with Spain, so Russians also need to get Spanish licences.
The only exception is students, as they hold a special type of residence that differs from a residence permit. Throughout their studies, students can use a licence obtained in Russia. They do not need to attend driving school or replace their licence even after 6 months.
A Russian licence remains valid for residents who obtained their residence permit less than six months ago. But after 6 months they too will have to replace their licence with a local one. To do so, they must pass a test to prove their driving skills.
How much it costs
To get a licence you need to take a course at a driving school. The cost depends on the region and the number of theory and practical lessons. In Spain you can decide for yourself how many hours to drive with an instructor. If the instructor thinks you are not ready to drive, they will recommend additional lessons. Preparation and the test will cost about €500–800.
Payment is made in stages and covers several categories of costs:
- Enrolment (matrícula). Lessons, tests and study materials cost from €60 to €600.
- State fee. About €90.
- Paperwork. You will also have to pay for processing, which costs about €45.
- Psychological fitness test. An assessment by a specialist costs about €30.
- Driving practice. A 45-minute lesson costs about €25.
The procedure
Only residents of Spain can apply for a driving licence. You will have to learn the rules of the road, improve your driving skills and pass two test stages. You may prepare on your own, but to be admitted to the practical test you need at least five lessons with an instructor. After passing, you must prepare a set of documents. You need to provide your international passport, photographs, a medical certificate and your NIE.
The theory test
The law allows you to prepare for the theory part on your own, but many Spaniards prefer to take a course at a driving school. Without a teacher you can miss important details that affect road safety. There are about 9,000 schools in the country offering online or in-person courses of varying intensity.
After the course, you need to obtain a certificate of psychophysical fitness. It is issued at specialised medical centres. The certificate is valid for 3 months, so within that time you must pass the tests and get the licence. You need to pay the fee at the traffic department office for your registered address. After that you will be admitted to the tests.
The theory test is a multiple-choice test of 35 questions. You have 30 minutes to answer them all, with no more than three mistakes. Similar questions can be found on the DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic) website and in study materials. Fluent Spanish, knowledge of the rules of the road and frequent practice tests will help you pass first time. Results are published on the DGT website the day after the theory test.
The practical test
After driving lessons, learners are admitted to the second part of the test. It takes about half an hour and has two stages. First you drive following the examiner’s instructions, then you drive independently.
During the test several learners ride in the car and take turns doing the tasks. It is important to show confident control on the road, avoid sudden movements and stay fully focused. In the practical test you show not only confident driving but also knowledge of how the car works. For example, the examiner may ask you to check the screenwash or oil level, or the condition of the headlights or other parts of the car. Results are given the next day. If you pass, the licence is sent by post within 30 days.
Is it hard to pass?
Success depends on preparation and keeping your nerves under control. Experience matters, as the practical test is quite hard without it. Data published on the Directorate-General’s website show that fewer than 50% of learners pass the theory test first time. Candidates face more serious difficulties in the practical test, so only about 30% of people pass the driving test first time.
Spaniards believe that it is easier to pass in some regions. People travel to other cities to pass their tests. In some places pass rates really are higher. For example, in Murcia and Toledo more learners pass the theory and practical tests first time. Travelling to another city for the test only makes sense if you go there anyway: people visit Toledo more for its medieval centre than for its driving schools — what to see there is collected in our city guide. But that does not mean you cannot get a licence in Barcelona, Madrid or other cities.
You can get a Spanish driving licence right now. You just need to learn the rules of the road and how people drive on local roads, and pass the test in Spanish. The rules themselves are a good place to start: which side of the road people drive on here, how roundabouts work and the penalties for speeding — a short guide for newcomers. What it costs to run a car, including fuel, is shown in our overview of petrol prices. Note that a category B licence can be obtained from age 16, so from that age a person can drive on Spanish roads.
