Month 3
Time
1 hour at the DGT
Cost
€28.87
Difficulty
Medium
EU vs non-EU
EU/EEA: EU/EEA licences stay valid. You only must swap once yours expires, or register it with the DGT after 2 years of residence.
Non-EU: If your country has an exchange agreement (UK, most of Latin America, Korea, Japan…), it's a direct swap. The US and Canada are not on the list. You'd take the full Spanish exam.
What to bring
Your original licence
NIE / TIE
Padrón
A psychotechnical certificate (€35 to 60 from any centro de reconocimiento)
Your options
DGT (Jefatura de Tráfico)
The only place exchanges happen
€28.87
Book the cita previa at sede.dgt.gob.es. The Palma office is on Gran Via; slots are scarce. Check early mornings.
Driving school (autoescuela)
For non-exchangeable licences
€600 to 1200
If your country isn't on the agreement list, an autoescuela packages the theory (available in English) and practical exams.
Prices checked June 2026
Do it
- 1
Get the psychotechnical certificate
Any "centro de reconocimiento de conductores", a 15-minute reflex-and-eyesight test, €35 to 60, results sent to the DGT digitally.
- 2
Book your DGT cita
sede.dgt.gob.es → "Canje de permiso". Bring patience; new slots drop at odd hours.
- 3
Submit licence + documents
They keep your original and issue a temporary paper permit valid in Spain. Pay the €28.87 tasa online beforehand to skip a queue.
- 4
Receive the Spanish licence
The plastic card arrives by post in 4 to 6 weeks. Track it on the DGT's miDGT app.
Common questions
How long can I drive on my foreign licence?
EU licences stay valid (register after two years of residence). Non-EU licences are generally only honoured for six months after residency. start the exchange early.
Will I need to retake the test?
Not with an EU licence or one from Spain's exchange-agreement list. Outside the list, it's the full Spanish theory and practical, budget months and real money.
Where does it happen?
The DGT, on cita previa like everything else. The psicotécnico (fitness check) happens at private centres first, do it before your DGT date.
Full checklist tracking and task completion live in the Settli app for Mallorca.