A simple guide to the exchange, replacement, and renewal of your UK driving licenses

The newest announcement of the Delegación General de Transporte in Spain has specified that:

As of March 1, 2022, the driving licenses issued by the British authorities will be considered licenses issued by a non-EU country. In other words, driving licenses issued by the British authorities will only be valid for driving in Spain for six months, from the entry of the holder or from the date of obtaining their legal residence in the country.

If you applied for the exchange, replacement, or extraordinary renewal of a British driving license before December 31, 2020, you could exchange your license under the same conditions before BREXIT.

 

1. By what means should you request the exchange?

2. What documents do you need to prepare?

3. Costs and payment methods

4. Do I need to present all the required documents myself?

5. Is car insurance necessary?

 

 

1. By what means should you request the exchange?

 

You need to go in person, to the Headquarters or Traffic Office where you will submit the prior request for the exchange:

 

• You can make your appointment 3 business days after submitting your request. 
• The prior appointment must be requested at the Headquarters or Traffic Office where you requested exchanges.
• On the day of your appointment, you must go to the office in person and provide all the requested documentation. A prior check will be made to ensure the request is made promptly.

 

 

2. What documents do you need to prepare?

 

On the day you formalize the procedure in the offices, you must present the following documents:

 

• An official exchange request form:
  • In the official form, you can authorize the DGT to electronically verify your registered address (empadronamiento) and the IAE. However, if the DGT cannot obtain valid information, you must provide these documents.
    • A valid ID, residence card, or passport and any other document that is requested by the Headquarters where the exchange request is processed.
    • Valid foreign driving license to be exchanged 
    • Proof of payment(the cost will be explained in the next section)
    • Current original photograph of 32 x26 mm: in color and with a plain background, taken from the front with the head uncovered and without dark glasses or any other garment that may prevent or hinder your identification.
      • If your hair is covered due to your religion, photographs with a veil will be accepted, but the oval of the face must appear completely uncovered from the hairline to the chin so that it does not impede or hinder your identification.

 

3. Costs and payment methods

 

• To exchange a driving license, you will have to pay: La tasa 2.3: 28.87 euros
• If for medical reasons the extension is for a period shorter than the established one, the prices of the fees will be as follows:

• Up to 4 years: The 4.3.4 rate of 19.67 euros
• Up to 3 years: The 4.3.3 rate of 14.75 euros
• Up to 2 years: The 4.3.2 rate of 9.83 euros
• Up to 1 year: The 4.3.1 rate of 4.92 euros
• The renewal process is free for people over 70 years old.

 

The payment can be made in many ways:

 

• Online: Electronic payment can be done before going to the office. You just need to download the proof of the payment, where you will find a series of numbers to confirm your payment: presented on the last page of the payment proof
  • Using the fee payment application: you need a valid digital certificate or electronic ID
  • With credit or debit card from a financial institution or with a charge to a bank account. You might need to be authorized by your bank to make the payment.
  • From the DGT app
• In-person:
  • In the traffic office, you can pay with any credit or debit card. You can pay directly at the time of carrying out the procedure. 
  • In any financial institution listed: You can choose between doing it in cash or with a direct charge to your bank account. Before paying, make sure you print out the required payment document.

 

 

4. Do I need to present all the required documents myself?

 

You can do it yourself or delegate it to another person. But if you do so, the representative needs to also indicate his/her ID card.

 

 

5. Is car insurance necessary?

 

At innoinsure, we consider your mobility as well as your safety. Therefore, we want to present you with our medical insurance, accident insurance, and car insurance offer to ensure your health and safety. You can contact us to know more information by phone call ( +34 61 383 46 40), WhatsApp (+ +34 61 383 46 40), or email ([email protected]).

 

If you would like to know more about this topic, check out one of these other blogs:

• Spanish Driving Tests: Formats and Preparation Guidelines
• Driving in Spain as a UK citizen: things you must know
• Driving in Spain vs Driving in the US: things you must know
• Driving in Spain vs Driving in Australia: things you must know
• Guide to understanding "driving points" in Spain
• Driving in Spain: confusing Spanish road signs and what they mean?
• Spanish ITV car test: all you need to know about as an expat
• Riding a motorcycle in Spain: what motorcycles, mopeds, scooters can I ride?
• Riding a motorcycle in Spain: what regulations or laws should I remember by heart?
• Steps to request a driving license exam in Spain

 

Reference:

 

[1] dgt, w. (2022). Canje, sustitución y renovación de permisos del Reino Unido. Retrieved 14 January 2022, from https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/permisos-de-conducir/canje-permisos/canje-permisos-extranjeros/canjes-inscripcion-renovacion-sustitucion-permisos/index.shtml 

 

Our content will be updated according to the most recent legislation.