🚧 Beta VersionThis section is under continuous development. The available information is usable, but some parts may not be complete yet. If you notice errors or missing information, please let us know via the contact form.
Emergency Action
No scrolling needed — right now
I had an accident
Step-by-step guide
I got a fine
50% discount — 20 days
My car was towed
Where to retrieve it
Driving License in Spain
Complete guide for immigrants — from scratch to getting your Spanish license
Where do I start?
First get your NIE — then register at an Autoescuela. See the "Complete Roadmap" card.
Your license steps
NIE
2
Register Autoescuela
۳
Theory Exam
۴
Practical Exam
۵
Get License
Your foreign licence may be valid for up to 6 months after residency
Non-EU driving licence rules depend on the country where the licence was issued. This period starts from the day you receive official residency. For more details, see the «Foreign Licence» card.
Guides
Read first
Complete Roadmap
5 step-by-step stages from NIE to getting your Spanish license
Important
Foreign License in Spain
Is it valid? For how long? What to do after?
Choosing an Autoescuela
What questions to ask? How to compare?
Theory Exam
Format, number of questions, online resources and how to pass
Practical Exam
What to expect? Common mistakes
Costs 2025
Real breakdown: DGT + Autoescuela + additional costs
What every immigrant must know — key differences from your country of origin
Spanish traffic laws may differ significantly from your home country
Some rules can be the opposite of what you're used to — such as right of way in roundabouts. Read this page fully before driving.
Speed Limits
Maximum Speed Limits in Spain
Road type
Regular driver
New driver (first year)
Urban area
۵۰ km/h
۵۰ km/h
Residential zone
۲۰ km/h
۲۰ km/h
Two-way road
۹۰ km/h
۸۰ km/h
One-way road
۱۰۰ km/h
۹۰ km/h
Motorway / Highway
۱۲۰ km/h
۱۱۰ km/h
Exceeding speed limit by more than 80 km/h — criminal offence
Immediate license seizure + court summons + heavy fine
Alcohol and Driving
Blood alcohol limits
Regular driver0.5 g/L blood
New driver (first 2 years)0.1 g/L blood
Professional driver0.3 g/L blood
Breathalyser test (Alcotest)
Standard limit۰.۲۵ mg/L
New driver limit۰.۰۵ mg/L
Refusing the testCriminal offence
Mobile phone while driving
Mobile phone rules
Phone in hand€200 fine + 3 points deducted
Full hands-free (Manos Libres)Permitted
Single-ear headset€200 fine
GPS on dashboardPermitted if not handheld
Key differences compared to other countries
Elsewhere vs Spain
TopicCommon ElsewhereSpain
Roundabout right of wayInside roundaboutEntering roundabout
Amber lightSometimes proceedMust stop
Pedestrian priorityRelativeAbsolute
Default urban speed60 km/h50 km/h
Phone in handOften ignoredInstant €200 fine
Seatbelt and child seat
Seatbelts are mandatory for all occupants
Children under 135cm or under 12 years must have an appropriate child seat — €200 fine
Overtaking
Overtaking on a solid line — heavy fine
6 points deducted + €500 fine. Overtaking on the right is prohibited.
I got a fine
Right now
My car was towed
Get my car back
50% discount
Early payment conditions
Fines & Points System
Complete fine table, 12-point system and how to recover
Voluntary payment within 20 days = 50% discount
Early payment closes the case and limits the right to appeal. For heavy fines, consult a specialist before paying.
Driving Points System
۱۲
Experienced driver — full points
Status: Good
Last violation: none
Available points Warning Danger
Common fines
Common fines table
Using mobile phone
۲۰۰ €
−۳
No seatbelt
۲۰۰ €
−۳
Speed +20 km/h
۱۰۰ €
−۲
Speed +40 km/h
۳۰۰ €
−۴
Alcohol (at limit)
۵۰۰ €
−۴
Alcohol (over 2x limit)
۱٫۰۰۰ €
−۶
Overtaking on solid line
۵۰۰ €
−۶
Illegal parking
۸۰ – ۲۰۰ €
—
Running red light
۲۰۰ €
−۴
Points recovery
No offences (2 years)+2 points
Voluntary training course+2 points
Maximum points recoverable15 points
License suspension
Zero pointsImmediate suspension
Waiting period6 months
After 6 monthsRetest required
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers to the most common questions from immigrants
License
Can I drive in Spain with a foreign license?
Non-EU driving licence rules depend on the country where the licence was issued. Some countries have exchange agreements with Spain, while others require following the standard DGT process. In general, a foreign licence with an official or international translation is valid for up to 6 months after obtaining official residency. After this period you must obtain a Spanish license.
What is the total cost of getting a license in Spain?
Depending on the city and number of exams, it ranges from €1,000 to €2,500. The DGT (official) fee is approximately €94-120 and Autoescuela costs are usually €800-1,800.
Yes, in the first 20 days you can file a Recurso de Alzada. If you have already voluntarily paid, you can no longer appeal. For fines above €200 consult a lawyer.
Parking
What are the Zona Azul and Zona Verde in Spain?
Zona Azul is for everyone but with limited time and payment. Zona Verde is cheaper but only for local residents with a special card.
What do I do if my car is towed?
Check via the local council website. You must pay the parking fine + tow fee (usually €150-250). You usually have up to 48 hours.
ITV (Inspección Técnica de Vehículos) is the mandatory vehicle inspection. New cars are exempt for the first 4 years, then every 2 years, and annually from 10 years old.
My question is not here
Our team is ready to answer your questions
Parking in Spain
Complete guide to zones, payment, apps and parking rules for immigrants
Parking in Spain may be completely different from what you're used to
The colour of road markings determines where and how you can park. Always check the line colours and local signs before parking.
Types of parking zones
Blue Zone
Paid — time limit — for everyone
Green Zone
Cheaper — priority for local residents
White Zone
Free — no time limit
Yellow Line
No parking — brief stopping may be allowed
Blue Zone — Zona Azul
WhoAll drivers
Time limit30 min to 2 hours
Cost€0.5 – €2 per hour
Active hoursUsually 9am – 9pm
PaymentParking meter / app
Green Zone — Zona Verde
Local residentsUp to 4 hours free
Non-residents1–2 hours limited
Non-resident cost€2–€3 per hour
Document requiredTarjeta de Residente
How to get the cardFrom the local council
Parking apps
ElParking
Most popular parking app in Spain — digital payment for blue and green zones
MiMuniAparca
Official app for major councils — for residents and non-residents
Parkimovil
National coverage — over 400 cities — expiry time reminders
Tow truck (Grúa) — the most expensive parking mistake
Parking in prohibited areas, garage entrances or double yellow lines leads to towing. Cost: parking fine + tow fee €150–€250 + daily storage.
Common mistakes
Mistakes that result in fines
Mistake
Fine
Tow risk
Forgetting to pay the meter
۳۰ – ۶۰€
Low
Parking time expired
۶۰ – ۱۰۰€
Sometimes
Parking on double yellow line
۱۵۰ – ۲۰۰€
Certain
Blocking a garage entrance
۲۰۰€
Certain
Parking in disabled space without permit
۲۰۰€
Yes
Parking Questions
I forgot to pay the parking meter in the blue zone, what do I do?
If you have not been fined yet, quickly open the parking app and register the payment from your actual start time. If you were fined, you have 20 days to pay with a 50% discount.
How do I get a resident card (Tarjeta de Residente) for the green zone?
You must go to the town hall of your district. Documents: Empadronamiento certificate + driving license + ownership or vehicle rental contract.
Buying a Car in Spain
Complete guide to buying new and used cars, ownership transfer and costs
Safer
New car from dealer
Factory warranty, no history of issues, higher price. Suitable if you have enough budget.
Budget-friendly
Used car
Lower price, but requires careful checking of history and technical condition. More risk.
Car purchase steps
۱
Step 1
Research and choose
Search on Milanuncios, Wallapop, Coches.net or official dealerships. Compare prices and history.
1–4 weeks
۲
Step 2
Check vehicle history (Informe DGT)
Get the official report from DGT.es. Check debts, previous owners, ITV and incidents.
Informe DGT~€15
۳
Step 3
Pre-purchase technical inspection
Have the car checked by a trusted mechanic or Dekra/Applus centre. Low cost, high value.
€50 – €100Essential for used cars
۴
Step 4
Contract and payment
Draw up the purchase contract (Contrato de Compraventa) with complete details of both parties and vehicle. Payment preferably by bank transfer.
Contrato CompraventaDNI / NIE of both parties
۵
Step 5
Title transfer (Transferencia)
At the Jefatura de Tráfico office or online through DGT. The new owner must be registered.
€50 – €10015-day legal deadline
۶
Step 6
Insurance and ITV
Before driving, mandatory insurance (Seguro Obligatorio) must be active. If ITV has expired, it must be renewed.
Mandatory before handover
Purchase costs
Transfer tax (ITP)
۴ – ۱۳٪
Depends on province — for used cars
DGT title transfer
۵۰ – ۱۰۰€
Tasas de Transferencia
History report
~۱۵€
Informe DGT online
Documents required
NIE / DNIBuyer and seller
Permiso de CirculaciónVehicle registration
Ficha TécnicaTechnical specs card
ITV vigenteValid technical inspection
Contrato CompraventaPurchase contract
Justificante ITPTax payment receipt
Without NIE you cannot register a car
NIE (foreign identification number) is mandatory for transferring the title and registering the car in your name. If you do not have an NIE yet, get one first.
Car purchase questions
Can I buy a car without an NIE?
You can buy a car but cannot transfer the title to your name. Without an NIE the car is officially still in the seller's name and causes legal problems in case of an accident or fine.
How long do I have to transfer the title after purchase?
You have 30 days from the contract date to transfer the title. After this deadline a late penalty is added.
Car Insurance & ITV
Complete guide to insurance types, comparison and periodic technical inspection
Insurance types comparison
Basic mandatory
Damage to others
Bodily injury to others
Damage to your own vehicle
Theft
Fire
Lowest cost — mandatory for all
Extended third-party
Damage to others
Bodily injury to others
Vehicle — depends on insurer
Partial theft
Fire
Balance of price and coverage
Comprehensive (A Todo Riesgo)
Damage to others
Bodily injury to others
Vehicle — even your own fault
Full theft
Fire and natural disaster
Highest coverage — more expensive
Driving without insurance — criminal offence
€601 fine + vehicle seizure + court summons. Mandatory insurance (Seguro Obligatorio) must be active before first drive.
Approximate annual insurance cost
Basic mandatory insurance€150 – €300
Extended third-party€300 – €500
Comprehensive (A Todo Riesgo)€500 – €1,200
New driver (under 25)+50–150% more expensive
Online comparisonRastreator.com
ITV — Periodic Technical Inspection
Inspección Técnica de Vehículos — mandatory for all vehicles
ITV schedule
۰ – ۴
Year 1 to 4
Exempt from ITV
۴ – ۱۰
Year 4 to 10
Every 2 years
+۱۰
Over 10 years
Annually
Documents required for ITV
Permiso de CirculaciónVehicle registration
DNI / NIEID card
Ficha TécnicaTechnical specs card
Seguro obligatorioValid insurance
ITV cost
Light vehicle€25 – €45
Motorcycle€15 – €30
Heavy vehicle€50 – €100+
ITV failed — repairVariable
Common ITV failure reasons
Problem
Severity
Easy to fix
Faulty lights
Moderate
Yes
Worn tyres
Serious
Costly
Weak brakes
Dangerous
Workshop
Excessive emissions
Moderate
Engine tune
Suspension system
Serious
Workshop
Insurance and ITV questions
If I fail the ITV, how long do I have to fix it?
You have 2 months to fix the problem and come back. If you fail the second inspection too, you must take the full ITV again and pay the full cost.
Which comparison website is best for insurance?
Rastreator.com and Acierto.com are the most popular insurance comparison sites in Spain. They compare prices from all major companies in one place.
Is foreign insurance valid in Spain?
No. Car insurance in Spain must be from authorised European or Spanish companies. The same day you buy a car you must get new insurance.
Driving Forms & Letters
Guide to official Spanish forms — from appealing a fine to accident reports
Right to appeal (Recurso de Alzada) — it is your legal right
Any fine that has been issued can be appealed. Note: after voluntary payment with 50% discount you lose the right to appeal.
Legal deadlines
۲۰
days to pay with 50% discount
From the fine notification date — after payment, appeal is not possible
۲۰
days to file an appeal
Recurso de Reposición — first administrative appeal — without payment
When should you appeal?
Appeal is justified
Car was not thereYou have sufficient evidence
Sign was unclearYou have a photo
Another driver was drivingProvable
Data errorWrong plate
Appeal is not justified
Violation was realPointless
No evidenceWill be rejected
Small fineBetter to pay
Deadline passedNo longer possible
Appeal steps
۱
Read the fine notice fully
Note the expediente number, violation date, type and amount. This information is essential for writing your appeal.
Boletín de Denuncia
۲
Gather documents and evidence
Photos of the location, witness statements, documents showing the car's absence, or any other relevant evidence.
Without evidence, it will be rejected
۳
Write the appeal letter
The letter must be in Spanish, including: your full details, fine number, grounds for appeal and signature. Use the template form in the Templates section.
In SpanishWithin 20 days
۴
Submit the appeal
Via: DGT.es (online with digital certificate), Jefatura de Tráfico office (in person), or registered post (Correos Certificado).
Keep the receipt
۵
Await the response
DGT must respond within 6 months. If they do not respond, the appeal is considered accepted (Silencio Administrativo Positivo). If rejected, you can file a Recurso de Alzada.
Up to 6 months
Documents required
DNI / NIEValid ID card
Boletín de DenunciaOriginal fine notice
Permiso de CirculaciónVehicle registration
Evidence documentsPhotos, statements, docs
Appeal letterIn Spanish — signed
Know the Declaración Amistosa form before any accident
You should always keep this form in your car. After an accident, there is no time to learn it.
What is the form?
Official nameDeclaración Amistosa
PurposeRecording an accident between parties
Is it mandatory?If no injuries: yes
Where to find it?From your insurer
Digital versionCESVIMAP app
When to use it?
Damage-only accidentAlways fill it in
Injuries involvedCall 112 only — form later
Other party agreesBoth must sign
Other party fledPolice only — 091
Deadline to send to insurer7 days
Form field guide
FieldSpanish titleDescription
۱Fecha del accidenteExact date and time of the accident
۲Lugar del accidenteExact address or road name and kilometre
۳Heridos / Daños materialesAre there injuries? + material damages
۴Vehículo A / Vehículo BDetails of both vehicles: plate, model, colour
۵Asegurado / ConductorInsured owner and driver (if different)
۶Compañía de segurosInsurance company name + policy number
۷CircunstanciasTick boxes: mark the cause of the accident
۸Croquis / EsquemaHand-drawn map of vehicle positions — most important part
۹FirmaSignature of both drivers — without signatures it is invalid
Most important mistake: signing without reading
Never sign anything you have not read. If the other party is in a hurry and insistent, this is a warning sign. Take your time and read everything.
Types of DGT reports
Informe del Vehículo
Full vehicle history: owners, accidents, ITV, debts and seizures
Always get this report before buying any used car. It shows whether the vehicle was stolen, has a seizure, or has been in accidents.
~€15From DGT.esInstant online
Informe de Puntos — Driving points
At any time you can check your points on DGT.es or the miDGT app. You need Cl@ve or a digital certificate.
FreemiDGT app
Informe de Sanciones — Registered fines
List of all fines related to you. Useful to check before renewing your license or for administrative procedures.
FreeDGT.es — with Cl@ve
How to access DGT.es
Cl@ve PINFastest method — SMS
Certificado DigitalMost complete access
DNIeWith card reader
miDGT appEasiest for mobile
Claim notification deadline: 7 days from the accident
Late notification can be used as grounds to reduce or reject your claim. Contact your insurer immediately.
Types of claim
Accident claim
Accident with another vehicle — Declaración Amistosa + police report if needed
Material damage claim
Damage without an accident (scratch, broken glass, flood, hail) — take photos
Theft claim
Full or partial theft — first call police (091), then insurer — police report mandatory
Claim steps
۱
Contact insurer immediately
Find the insurer's emergency number on your policy. Available 24 hours. Describe the incident and get the Siniestro (claim) number.
In the first 24 hours
۲
Document the damage
Take photos and video of all damage. Get witness details. Police report if needed (accident with injuries or theft).
Photos + video
۳
Send documents to insurer
Send the Declaración Amistosa (if an accident), photos, police report, DNI/NIE, insurance policy and claim form.
Within 7 days
۴
Insurance assessor visit (Perito)
The insurer sends an assessor to evaluate the damage. Do not repair the car before the visit.
Before repairs
۵
Approval and payment
The insurer announces the claim amount. If you agree, the car is repaired. If the amount is too low, you can hire a Perito contrario.
1–3 months
Required documents — by claim type
Claim documents
Document
Accident
Material damage
Theft
DNI / NIE
✓
✓
✓
Insurance policy
✓
✓
✓
Declaración Amistosa
✓
—
—
Police report
If injuries
—
✓ Mandatory
Damage photos
✓
✓
If possible
Permiso Circulación
✓
✓
✓
Sample forms are being prepared
Downloadable content will be added soon. The structure and guides are ready.
Downloadable forms
Fine appeal letter
Word / PDF English + Spanish Editable
Coming soon
Declaración Amistosa — English guide
PDF English field-by-field guide
Coming soon
Vehicle sale contract (Contrato Compraventa)
Word / PDF Bilingual Editable
Coming soon
Driving authorisation for others (Autorización de Conducción)
Word / PDF Spanish + English guide
Coming soon
Insurance claim notification letter
Word Spanish Editable
Coming soon
Fine appeal
If I have paid the fine, can I no longer appeal?
That is correct. Voluntary payment means accepting the violation and you lose the legal right to appeal afterwards. If you intend to appeal, act before paying.
Must the appeal be in Spanish, or will they accept English?
It must be in Spanish. If you do not know Spanish, get help from a translator or lawyer. DGT does not accept other languages.
Accident form
What if the other party refuses to sign the form?
Call the police (091). Without the other party's signature, the police report (Denuncia) is the only valid document. Take photos of the scene, the other vehicle and its plate.
DGT Reports
Can I get a DGT report without a digital certificate?
Yes, with Cl@ve PIN which works via SMS you can log in to DGT.es. Some reports such as the Informe del Vehículo can be purchased without authentication.
DGT Practice Quiz
Prepare yourself for the Spanish driving theory exam — 20 multiple-choice questions
Spain Highway Code Practice Quiz
This quiz contains 20 questions from real DGT exam topics: road signs, speed, alcohol, priority and more. At the end you receive your score, pass percentage and study recommendations.
20 questions No time limit English Pass mark: 15 out of 20
Question 1 of 20Signs
Question 1
Loading...
0/20
0
Correct
0
Wrong
۰٪
Result
Driving Knowledge Base in Spain
Complete driving guides for immigrants — read everything here, no download needed
Driving License
5 guides
Complete Guide to Getting a Spanish License
When needed: From your first day in Spain
Complete roadmap from NIE to license — all steps, costs and 2025 timeline
Cost table, Autoescuela comparison, tips for immigrants
5 key topics
DGT Application Form — English Guide
When needed: When registering at Jefatura de Tráfico
Guide to filling the official DGT form — every field explained
Main form + bilingual English-Spanish guide
Without a valid NIE you cannot register the form
Field-by-field explanation
Guide to the Driving Medical Certificate (CRC)
When needed: Before visiting a CRC centre
Medical tests, documents and cost of the driving medical certificate
CRC centre addresses in main cities + costs + validity period
Practical tips
Guide to Choosing an Autoescuela
When needed: Before enrolling at a driving school
Key questions, how to compare price and quality of driving schools