The International Driving Permit - Stopgap Only
Before diving into the exchange routes, let's clear up a common misconception. The International Driving Permit (IDP) is a document issued by your home country's motoring association (the AA in the UK or Ireland, the AAA in the US, the CAA in Canada, etc.) that translates your licence into multiple languages. It looks official and costs very little.
In Spain, an IDP is recognised as valid for up to six months from your date of entry. Beyond that, it has no legal standing. If you are a new resident and you plan to keep driving, an IDP buys you a little time while you sort out the exchange - nothing more.
Do not rely on the IDP long-term
Some expats drive on an IDP for years, assuming it is sufficient. It is not. Once you establish residency in Spain, you are expected to regularise your driving licence. Driving without a recognised licence after the IDP period carries substantial fines. Sort this out within your first 12 months.
EU and EFTA Licences
If your licence was issued by an EU member state (Ireland, Germany, France, the Netherlands, Sweden, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Portugal, and all other EU countries) or an EFTA country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), the situation is relatively straightforward.
Can you just use it in Spain? Yes, you can drive in Spain on a valid EU/EFTA licence without exchanging it. However, once you are a resident, Spanish rules require you to register the licence with the DGT and exchange it within a set period. The DGT's current guidance points to a two-year window for residents to exchange, but this has been subject to regulatory revision - check the current rules at dgt.es before relying on this timeframe.
The exchange process: Once you decide to exchange (or are required to), the process is clean:
- No driving test required.
- The DGT recognises EU/EFTA licences directly.
- You need the standard documents: original licence, NIE, Padron, medical certificate, photos and the DGT fee.
- Your licence categories transfer over.
A note on name or address changes: If your home-country licence shows a different name or address than your current documents (for example, you married and changed your name), sort this out before the exchange appointment. The DGT will flag any discrepancy.
UK Licences Post-Brexit
The UK left the EU, and as a result, UK driving licences no longer automatically benefit from EU recognition in Spain. This changed the licence exchange situation significantly.
Bilateral agreement: Spain and the UK have a bilateral licence exchange agreement. As of 2025-2026, this agreement allows UK licence holders resident in Spain to exchange their licence for a Spanish one without taking a test. This is an important change from the immediate post-Brexit period when there was no agreement.
Verify the current status before acting
Bilateral agreements can be suspended, renegotiated or have conditions attached. Before booking your DGT appointment, verify the current UK-Spain arrangement directly at dgt.es or ask a Gestoria. Do not rely on information that is more than a few months old on this specific topic.
If the agreement is in force: The exchange process broadly mirrors the EU/EFTA route: original licence, NIE, Padron, medical certificate, photos, DGT fee. The DGT retains your UK licence.
If the agreement is suspended or you cannot complete the exchange in time: You would need to take the full Spanish driving test (theory + practical). See the section below on the full test route.
Photocard and paper licences: Spanish authorities generally accept the UK photocard licence. If you have an old-style paper licence (unlikely for anyone who has driven recently), you may be asked for additional identification. Consider updating your UK licence before you leave if it is in paper format.
Countries with Bilateral Agreements
Spain has bilateral driving licence exchange agreements with a number of non-EU countries. The current list (always verify at the DGT website, as it changes) includes countries such as:
- Switzerland (also EFTA, so covered above)
- Japan
- South Korea
- Argentina
- Chile
- Colombia
- Mexico
- Peru
- Ecuador
- Morocco
- Tunisia
- Turkey
- Uruguay
Some agreements have specific conditions: they may cover only category B (car), not motorcycles or heavier vehicles; some require that the original licence was obtained in the specific country (not just that you hold its citizenship). Canada is a complex case: some provinces have agreements with Spain while others do not. Check which province your licence was issued in and verify separately.
The DGT list is the only source that counts
Country-specific bilateral agreement information circulates on expat forums and is frequently out of date. The only reliable source is the DGT's own published list. Look for "Canje de permiso extranjero" on dgt.es, or ask a Gestoria to confirm your country's status before you start gathering documents.
Exchange process for bilateral-agreement countries: Similar to EU/EFTA: original licence, NIE, Padron, medical certificate, photos and DGT fee. Some non-EU bilateral countries require a certified translation of the licence into Spanish - ask a Gestoria or the DGT office in advance.
US, Canadian and Australian Drivers
As of 2026, the United States (as a whole), Canada (most provinces), and Australia do not have bilateral driving licence exchange agreements with Spain that allow a straight swap without a test.
This means that if you hold a US, Canadian (most provinces) or Australian licence and you become resident in Spain, you will eventually need to obtain a Spanish driving licence the regular way: by passing the full Spanish driving test.
Your home-country licence (with or without an IDP) covers you for up to six months from entry. After that, and once you are resident, you are expected to be working toward a Spanish licence.
The good news: you do not lose your years of driving experience. Spanish autoescuelas can usually get experienced drivers through the practical test in fewer lessons than a first-time learner. But the theory test covers Spanish traffic law in detail, and it requires study.
The Full Spanish Test Route
If you need to take the full Spanish driving test, here is what to expect.
Enrolling in an autoescuela: You must be enrolled in a registered autoescuela (driving school) to sit the theory and practical exams through the DGT system. You cannot sit the exam independently as a private candidate (unlike in some other countries). In Palma there are numerous autoescuelas, some of which have English-speaking instructors - ask specifically when you enquire.
The theory exam (prueba de control de conocimientos):
- 30 multiple-choice questions drawn from the official DGT question bank.
- You are allowed 3 errors (27 correct answers needed to pass).
- The exam is computerised and available in English at the Palma DGT office.
- Fee is around €8 per attempt.
- You can fail and re-sit; there is no limit on attempts, but each costs the fee.
- Study materials: the official DGT question bank is available online and through autoescuela apps. Most autoescuelas include theory training in their package.
The practical exam (prueba de control de aptitudes y comportamientos):
- 45 minutes in a DGT examiner's car (your autoescuela's car) on Palma's roads.
- The examiner marks errors: minor errors add up; serious or very serious errors cause immediate failure.
- You need a minimum number of lessons in your autoescuela's books before you can be presented for the exam.
- Most experienced foreign drivers need 6-10 practical lessons (at €30-50 each) to get used to the examiner-standard expectations.
- Fee is around €40 per attempt.
Timeline:
- Theory course: 2-4 weeks of regular sessions.
- Theory exam booking: 1-3 weeks wait.
- Practical lessons after theory pass: 4-8 weeks.
- Practical exam booking: 3-8 weeks wait.
- Total realistic time: 3-6 months from enrolment to Spanish licence in hand.
The Medical Certificate
Every driving licence exchange - whether for EU, bilateral or any other route - requires a current medical certificate from an authorised driver medical centre (centro de reconocimientos de conductores). This is not a standard GP visit.
What the examination covers:
- Eyesight (distance, peripheral vision, colour recognition).
- Hearing.
- Reaction time (a brief electronic test).
- Blood pressure and basic cardiovascular check.
- A brief assessment of any conditions affecting driving fitness.
Where to get it in Palma: There are several authorised centres in Palma that deal with driving licences. Ask your autoescuela for their preferred centre, or look for "centro de reconocimientos Palma" online. Make sure the centre is DGT-authorised; not all general medical clinics are.
Cost and validity: Around €40-70 per visit. The certificate is valid for two years (or less if you have a condition requiring more frequent review). You need it before the DGT appointment, not after.
If you have a condition: If you have a medical condition that could affect driving (epilepsy, diabetes requiring medication, significant vision impairment, etc.), the medical examiner must note it. The DGT may impose driving restrictions on your licence or require more frequent renewals. This is standard and manageable; the medical centre will advise.
Practical Tips
Do this in your first year: The DGT process takes longer than people expect. Cita previa slots are scarce, documents expire, and if you fail the theory exam you need to re-sit. Starting in month one gives you a comfortable runway.
Use a Gestoria: For the exchange process (not the test route), a Gestoria can gather, check and submit your documents for €100-250. For people not fluent in Spanish, this is often money well spent. They will flag any document issue before your appointment rather than discovering it when you are standing at the counter.
Autoescuela in English: If you are taking the full test, find an autoescuela in Palma with English-speaking instructors. The theory course in English is a significant advantage. Ask specifically; not all schools advertise this prominently.
Theory exam in English: Confirm with your autoescuela that they will enter you for the English-language version of the theory exam at the Palma DGT. It is available, but you need to ensure the booking specifies English.
Do not let your home-country licence expire: If your home-country licence expires while you are resident in Spain and you have not yet completed the exchange, you are in an awkward position. The DGT needs a valid original licence for an exchange. Check your licence expiry date now.
Keep copies: Before surrendering your home-country licence at the DGT, make certified photocopies and keep one. Your original is gone once submitted.
If you are also in the process of re-registering a foreign-plated vehicle, read the companion guide on driving on Mallorca with a foreign-registered car to understand what is happening in parallel.
At a glance
EU and EFTA licence holders can exchange their licence at the DGT without a test; resident drivers should do this within two years. UK holders may exchange under a bilateral agreement - verify current status at dgt.es before acting. Around 25 non-EU countries have bilateral agreements with Spain; US, Canadian and Australian drivers (with most provinces) generally need to take the full Spanish test. The full test route takes 3-6 months and costs €600-1,500. All routes require a medical certificate from an authorised centre. Tackle this in your first year on the island to avoid problems.