Renewing a Spanish driving licence is easy as long as you follow the procedure and provide the correct documetation
By Nick Nutter | Updated 22 Mar 2023 | Andalucia | Living In Andalucia |
Login to add to YOUR Favourites 
or Read Later
Generally speaking, a Spanish Driving licence is valid for:
- 10 years up to age 65 years
- 5 years up to age 70 years
- 2 years for over 70s
Line 4b on your licence shows the main expiry date. However, the licence to drive some classes of vehicle is different.
Categories C, C1, D, D1
- To age 65 – renew every 5 years
- 65 and older – renew every 3 years
Permit C - vehicles with weight over 3,500 Kg
Permit D - vehicles for the transport of passengers
The expire dates of these classes is shown on the reverse of the driving licence.
The standard charge to renew a Spanish Driving Licence made by DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) is 24.30 Euros. If you are over 70 years old this charge is waived. However, there are costs on top of this as you will see below.
The easiest way to renew a Spanish Driving Licence is to present yourself at your local ‘Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores’ – registered driving licence medical assessment centre, with the necessary documents.
- Completed application form issued by the Provincial Traffic Office and completed at the Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores’
- The licence to be renewed
- Photocopy (and original) of a Spanish identity card, TIE card or a copy of your passport along with your NIE Number - - (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)
- Proof of address in Spain (empadronamiento) dated within 3 months of the date of application (this may not be asked for in some regions/provinces)
- Certificate of aptitude issued by the Authorised Drivers Check Centre (Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores Autorizado) of the province of residence of the applicant with a recent photograph. This normally involves a brief medical; blood pressure and eyesight test and a questionnaire dealing with existing and previous illnesses, medication being taken and smoking and drinking habits.
- Two recent photographs taken at the same time as the one on the aptitude certificate. Again these will be taken when you attend the Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores Autorizado.
To summarise, attend the Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores Autorizado with your old driving licence, your empadronamient and your TIE card or passport and NIE number. Everything else will be produced by them.
The Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores Autorizado will charge you an all-inclusive fee that should be in the region of 70 Euros.
The Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores Autorizado will issue you with a piece of paper certifying that you have applied for renewal of your licence and that you are still entitled to drive. This is valid for 3 months. It is not recognised outside of Spain so if you want to hire a car in another country for instance, time your renewal application accordingly.
It will be delivered by post to your postal address.
You can apply for renewal of your driving licence 3 months before the renewal date.
You should follow the same process to apply for a replacement licence in the case of your licence being lost or stolen or you have changed your address. In the case of change of address there is no fee to pay the DGT.
Unlike the UK, Spain does things backwards. You actually start off with 12 points on your licence and they are deducted for driving offences. When you get to zero points, you are disqualified from driving. The good news is, you are awarded 2 points each year so long as you commit no offences up to a maximum of 15 points.
For your nearest Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores Autorizado , click here
© Visit-Andalucia 2015 - 2024
Using Motor homes, Camper vans and Caravans
Diesel and Petrol Prices in Andalucia
Should My Vehicle Be Registered in Spain
