Renewing a Spanish driving licence
Renovar el permiso de conducir
The dates and amounts on this page apply until 2026-12-31; there may be a newer call or new rules. Check the official information.
What it is
A Spanish driving licence is renewed without an exam: you only need to pass a medical check. It can be renewed from 3 months before it expires without losing days of validity; also after it has expired, but while it is expired you cannot drive. You do not need to go to the DGT: the whole procedure is done at an authorised Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores, which charges for the medical check in addition to the traffic fee and takes your photo on site. You receive a provisional licence, valid for 6 months and only in Spain, and the final one arrives at your home in about a month and a half. Car and motorcycle licences are renewed every 10 years until 65 and every 5 years from that age; if you have no points left, it cannot be renewed.
Official wording
Puedes hacerlo desde 3 meses antes a su fecha de caducidad.Official sources
- Where it applies
- All of Spain
Official information
Official sources
When
From three months before it expires. Renewing early loses no days: the new validity runs from the old one’s expiry date. You can renew it even after it expires, but you cannot drive while it is expired.
Official wording
Puedes hacerlo desde 3 meses antes a su fecha de caducidad.Official sources
Steps
Step 1: Go to a driver medical centre
No exam is needed, only a medical check. Any authorised driver medical centre does the full renewal, even the photo; they charge for the check plus the traffic fee.
Official wording
Puedes ir a cualquier Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores autorizado.
Official sources
Step 2: Provisional and final licence
You get a provisional licence to drive in Spain for 6 months (not valid abroad). The final one reaches your home in about a month and a half, with no further steps.
Official wording
En aproximadamente mes y medio recibirás tu permiso en tu domicilio sin que tengas que realizar ningún otro trámite ni abonar ninguna tasa.
Official sources
Fees
Renewal fee: €24.58 (fee 4.3), not counting the medical check; free for over-70s.
Official wording
El centro te cobrará un importe por el reconocimiento médico además de la tasa de tráfico para la renovación del permiso.Official sources
FAQ
How often is it renewed?
Car and motorcycle (AM, A1, A2, A, B) and licences: every 10 years until 65 and every 5 after. Truck and bus: every 5 years until 65 and every 3 after. It may be shorter if the doctor says so for health reasons.
Official wording
es de 10 años hasta los 65 años de edad y a partir de esa edad, la renovación se realiza cada 5 años.Official sources
What if I have no points left?
You cannot renew it: you must recover the licence first.
Official wording
Si no te quedan puntos en tu permiso, no podrás renovarlo.Official sources
Related procedures
Terms used on this page
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