If you originate from one of the EU members, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, or from countries belonging to the Geneva or Vienna Conventions, you can drive in Spain with your current driving licence.

If you originate from a country outside of those mentioned above then different conditions apply.

Before travelling to Spain, it’s highly recommendable that you contact the Spanish consulate or embassy in your country to check the validity of your driving licence in Spain.

Validity of EU Driving licences
EU driving licences are recognised in Spain so you don’t need to change your licence to Spanish. You can drive with your licence in Spain until it expires at which point you’ll need to apply for Spanish licence and to do so you need to prove your residency in Spain. This is fairly straightforward and involves showing your NIE (Numero de identidad Extranjeros) and “Empadronamiento” certificate which demonstrates your place of residence.

Depending on your age, the Spanish driving licence that you are issued with will be valid for either a 5 or 10 year period after which you need to get the Spanish driving licence renewed following a simple medical check. Once you get your Spanish driving licence, your foreign licence is returned to the issuing office of your home country.

Validity of Non EU Driving Licences
Depending on the nationality of the non EU citizen, the licence may be valid for the first year after arrival in Spain. Needless to say, once the year is up, you have to get that Spanish driver’s licence.

Drivers with US driving licences
However, for US drivers, it’s a whole different ball game. Each US state has its own set of rules and foreign countries make international agreements with each individual state.

So depending from which US state your driving licence was obtained in, you may or may not be able to use it to drive in Spain for a limited period of time (up to a year).

As there is no agreement between the United States and Spain for the validation of a US driver’s license, all Americans will eventually have to take the Spanish driving exam.

Americans visiting Spain will need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) before arriving in Spain. The IDP will need to be accompanied with the original driving licence at all times. US Citizens need to obtain their IDP from the American Automobile Association or the American Automobile Touring Alliance. You have to be at least age 18 and the cost for an IDP is in the region of USD 20.00.

Drivers with Canadian driving licences
Drivers with Canadian licences are required to have both a provincial driver’s licence and an International licence, both of which are valid for one year in Spain. Upon residency the validity of these Canadian licences is extended for a further six months.

How to get a Spanish Driving Licence
To get a Spanish driver’s licence, applicants need to join a driving school – there are no ifs and buts about this, no matter how long you have been driving or how much you could teach the teacher! You need to undergo a medical test, a written theory exam and a practical driving exam.

The medical and the eye test is a walk in the park. However the written exam is another kettle of fish. The upside is that it’s basically a multiple choice and you can choose to take it in English or Spanish. The downside is that subject matter covered in the exam is a whole lot more than you need to know and may cover questions related to mechanics, first aid, and technical spec for all types of vehicles.

Finally, the actual driving test: the instructor sits in the passenger seat and the examiner in the back. The exam lasts for 30 minutes and takes place in real traffic. The driver is put to the test in busy city streets, roundabouts, hills, and parallel parking. You get the results only after the examiner has made a hasty exit, no doubt to give him time to get out of range should the news for the driver not be so good.

All is not lost, if you fail the driving test, you can take it again!

Things to know about driving in Spain
Ensure you always carry your passport (if you are a resident, your NIE will suffice), current driving licence, valid insurance and vehicle registration document.  According to traffic regulations, it is mandatory that you will keep the following equipment in your vehicle: you will be fined if you don’t carry these in your car.

Spanish drivers and those who have been living here for some time, are “relaxed” when it comes to driving.

Don’t expect drivers to indicate a left or right turn nor to slow down at the red traffic lights. Do expect drivers to cut across lanes, overtake on the inside, and speed up within an inch of you on the fast lane of the motorway all the while flashing their headlights to get you out of the way.

It’s quite an experience when you first hit the Spanish roads but Spain is such a fabulous country that it’s well worth the odd few grey hairs.

General guideline to speed limits:
Built-up areas (zonas urbanas) 50km/hr
Outside built-up areas on Second-category roads 90km/hr
Outside built-up areas on First-category roads 100km/hr
Motorways (Autopista/Autovia) 120km/hr

[Kids in Madrid / Expatica 2008]

The writer Paloma is an editor of the website Kids in Madrid.