After Brexit, British residents in Spain could no longer drive indefinitely on their DVLA licence: 2021 saw a confused transition with several extensions, and from 2023 onwards the new bilateral Spain-UK driving licence exchange agreement is in force (Royal Decree 224/2023 plus the intergovernmental agreement). The procedure is now stable and predictable, but different from the one for EU drivers. Here is the guide.
The 2023 Spain-UK bilateral agreement
Spain and the UK signed in 2023 an agreement that allows reciprocal exchange of driving licences without practical or theoretical exam, provided the exchange happens within a reasonable period from obtaining residence. The agreement covers ordinary categories (A, B); professional categories (C, D and E) require an additional medical check.
Who can exchange and when
- Legal residents in Spain, with a valid NIE/TIE.
- A UK driving licence in force issued by the DVLA (England/Wales), the DVA (Northern Ireland) or the DVS (Scotland; same body).
- Not being banned from driving in any country.
The most comfortable window to exchange is within the first six months of obtaining legal residence in Spain. Beyond that period, driving on the DVLA licence past its validity in Spain is unlawful, and the DGT may require the whole process from scratch.
The step-by-step procedure
- Appointment booking at the provincial DGT (Spanish Traffic Authority) covering your residence. In Alicante: DGT Alicante (Av. de Aguilera), and offices in Benidorm, Elche, Orihuela, Dénia and Torrevieja.
- Application (the current official form).
- TIE or EU Registration Certificate in force.
- British passport.
- UK driving licence, original and copy.
- Spanish medical-psycho-technical certificate from an accredited centre.
- Receipt for the fee.
- One passport-size photograph.
- Sworn statement of not being banned from driving in any country.
When sworn translation is required
The Spain-UK bilateral agreement removed the general obligation to translate the DVLA licence. The DGT accepts the UK licence directly in English for the standard exchange.
There are three situations, however, where sworn translation into Spanish is required:
- Old paper-format licences (pre-1998) lacking the standardised European information. The DGT asks for full document translation.
- Verification of dates or categories unclear on the plastic card. The DGT sometimes requests the DVLA share code (online licence extract) printed and translated.
- Renewal after a ban or sanction in the UK: the supplementary file (DVLA rulings, fines record) is translated into Spanish.
For the vast majority of ordinary exchanges, you do not need sworn translation of the DVLA licence. If they ask for it, they will tell you at the counter.
Drivers with Northern Ireland licences
Although administratively it is the DVA rather than DVLA, the Spain-UK bilateral agreement covers Northern Ireland too. The procedure is identical, with the licence issued by the DVA in Coleraine.
Common mistakes
- Driving more than six months on the DVLA licence after obtaining residence. Unlawful, and from there the exchange gets harder.
- Not bringing a valid TIE. The DGT does not exchange without a valid residence document.
- Asking for sworn translation when it is not needed. Avoidable cost; check with your office before ordering.
- Expired medical-psycho-technical certificate. Get it just before the appointment.
- Bringing a provisional or L-plate licence. Only full UK driving licences are exchanged.
In short
After the 2023 Spain-UK bilateral agreement, exchanging your DVLA licence is reasonably easy if done within six months of becoming a resident. The DGT does not demand sworn translation for the standard exchange, but if your office does ask (old licence, sanctions, share code), at Textualia we translate the DVLA licence and the supplementary UK documents into Spanish to a closed turnaround in the format accepted by the Traffic Authority.