Al B. Says:
Can I use my U.S. driver’s license in Spain?
IL Executive Editor Jennifer Stevens Says:
Hi Al,
Great question about your driver’s license. Rules about driving vary a lot from country to country, and it’s always important to make sure you comply with local laws.
Once you become a resident of Spain, you can use your U.S. or Canadian driver’s license for six months, then you must get a Spanish driver’s license.
Here’s how you go about that process.
You must take lessons through a recognized driving school, then pass a written theory test and a practical driving test in a car with a manual transmission (automatic transmissions are rare in Spain).
You can take the written test in English or Spanish. Some areas of Spain have English-speaking examiners for the driving test.
You must also get a certificate of mental and physical fitness from Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores Autorizados. The whole process can cost between €500 and €1,000.
Many expats in Spain opt not to drive. And if you’re living in a walkable city like Barcelona or Malaga you might find that is the best option too.
You can read a guide to five seaside towns worth considering in Spain in the December issue of your IL magazine here.
Got a Question?
Send your thoughts to mailbag@internationalliving.com. We’ll post and respond to as many of your emails as we can right here in the e-letter.