Having your own car makes it much easier to move around Spanish cities, resort areas and suburbs. It is not surprising that foreign citizens residing in the country on a permanent basis sooner or later think about acquiring local rights. The driver's license they obtained in Spain relieves of many legal formalities associated with the use of foreign rights on the territory of the country.
Rules for the use of Russian driver's license in Spain
At the moment, there is no agreement between the Russian Federation and Spain on the recognition of Russian driver's licenses in Spanish territory. This is despite the fact that since 2009 the driver's licenses issued to Russians meet all the requirements of the 1968 Vienna Convention.
Citizens of the Russian Federation, depending on their status in Spanish territory, are required to issue an international driver's license in Spain for Russians or obtain a local document authorizing driving a vehicle.
Tourists who have arrived on the territory of the country have the right to drive a vehicle with a Russian international driver's license, but no more than 6 months a year.
Foreign students in Spain are not granted a residence permit. For this reason, the 6 months rule does not apply to them. They can use an international driver's license issued in the Russian Federation during the entire period of study.
Citizens of the Russian Federation who have received the status of a resident in Spain have the right to use a Russian international driver's license in Spain, but no longer than the first 6 months of stay in the country. After that, they are required to obtain a national document.
It should be noted that, despite the fact that a citizen of the Russian Federation has a driver's license of a new type, his right to drive a vehicle by representatives of the authorities may not be recognized. That is why it is better not to risk it and get an international driver's license (IDP) in advance.
Many are interested in whether Russian rights are valid in Spain if the document was issued before 2009. The answer is no. The right to drive a vehicle is obtained only by holders of an internationally recognized document and only for a period of up to six months.
The procedure for obtaining a national VU in Spain
Obtaining a driving license in Spain involves learning the theory and gaining practical driving skills. Confirmation of knowledge is the successful passing of examination tests.
Only those foreign citizens who have received resident status in the country are eligible to undergo training for a driver's license in Spain.
Most driving schools in Spain accept driving exams in Spanish only. Some institutions may accept the theory exam in English. The practical exam is taken everywhere only in Spanish.
A number of training centers help Russian citizens to pass their rights in Spain, offering the theory course in Russian and preparation for the theory and practice in Spanish / English. One of them is the Costa Drive Club school. If you wish, you can find a driving school offering theoretical training in English, French and other languages.
How to pass theoretical and practical exams
Existing driving license exams in Spain are divided into two types - theoretical (testing) and practical (driving).
- Theoretical part.
Preparation for the exam can be carried out at home, without the obligatory attendance of lessons at a driving school. At the same time, the schools themselves offer various options for a paid education package at home, including those that include online lessons, video conferencing and access to practice tests.
Upon completion of your preparation, you must visit the Jefatura Provincial de Trafico (the local traffic office where you registered) and pay the state fee. Having made the required amount, the applicant receives three attempts to pass two exams: theoretical and practical. After that, he will be enrolled in a theory exam.
Having arrived at the specified time to the place of the exam, the candidate receives a test in his hands. The maximum number of errors allowed is 3.
- The practical part.
The next stage is the delivery of driving practice. To go through this stage, you will definitely need to enroll in a driving school and attend paid practical classes with an instructor. Lessons are held in the exam areas. It is recommended that you pay for a sufficient number of classes to attend each of them with an instructor.
You can sign up for the exam at any time. However, the instructor can leave a note in the personal file of the future driver that, from his point of view, the student is not ready. This opinion can make it difficult to pass the test.
After paying the state fee for involving a police officer in the procedure, the candidate is assigned a date, time and zone for passing the exam. It is recommended to leave one paid lesson in stock in order to conduct it with an instructor in this area.
3-4 people pass the test at once. During the exam, students take turns driving each other. It is important that the last of them can finish the exam in another zone.
If during the test the instructor interferes with the process by pressing the brake pedal, the student is considered to have created a dangerous situation on the road. The exam is terminated and a retake is scheduled.
Retaking the practical part is possible for the first time after 2 weeks, then after 3 and further on an increasing basis.
If the relationship with the instructors does not work out and the candidate believes that their interference in the exam is unreasonable, it is recommended to change the driving school, focusing on the reviews of friends and graduates. After all, the more classes and exams attended the training, the greater the profit of the organization's employees. And, unfortunately, some people abuse it.
A package of documents for VU and the cost of obtaining
To obtain a Spanish driving license, you will need to complete the following documents:
- NIE (Numero de Identificacion de Extranjero - identification number of a foreigner);
- a medical certificate confirming a positive result of passing a psychophysiological test;
- photographs of the established sample;
- international passport.
The total cost of training varies within 1000 €. The specific amount consists of the current size of the state fee, the cost of registering documents for the car and payment for lessons in a driving school.
Are the rights of other countries recognized in Spain
Experienced car owners may be interested in such a topic as the recognition of a driver's license in Spain. With the right document, you can get rid of a lot of costs and save your time. However, it is important to understand that the legalization procedure has its own rules and does not always imply the exchange of an existing VU.
Let's say right away that a Russian driver's license cannot be exchanged for a Spanish one. Currently, the legalization of driving licenses in Spain is provided only for the EU countries and the countries participating in the agreement.
Use and replacement of European VUs in Spain
Driving licenses of the EU and EEC countries (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) can be used on Spanish territory on an equal basis with local ones. They do not require legalization or replacement, even if the foreigner acquires the status of a resident. But there are a number of exceptions.
When is it necessary to exchange a driving license in Spain:
- documents issued indefinitely require replacement two years after the assignment of resident status;
- the appointment of a fine with deprivation of points;
- changes in the physiological parameters of the driver (for example, the statement of glasses).
Use in Spain of the VU of some countries
If there is a bilateral agreement between the issuing country and Spain, the license can be replaced with a local license without mandatory examinations. Currently, the list includes fewer than 30 such countries.
In particular, driving licenses of the following countries are allowed in Spain: Ukraine, Turkey, Serbia, Brazil. The established term for the replacement of rights is 6 months.
How much does it cost to replace rights and what documents are needed
To exchange a driver's license, you need the following papers:
- NIE or NIF (Numero de Identificacion Fiscal - taxpayer identification number);
- a positive medical and psychological conclusion on the suitability of driving a vehicle;
- driver's license issued in an EU country, EEC country or agreement country;
- application of the established form;
- confirmation of payment of the state fee;
- passport with visa or residence permit;
- photo of the established sample;
- the Talón Fóto form to be completed at the road service department;
- a written declaration confirming that the driver is not deprived of a driver's license;
- a written declaration confirming that the driver does not have a license plate issued in Spain or another EU or EEC country in the same category.
The replacement procedure is carried out after registration and filing an application on the sede.dgt.gob.es website.
If necessary, a request is sent to the country that issued the document to confirm its authenticity. After that, the applicant is assigned the date of receipt of the new document.
The total cost of replacement consists of the cost of a medical certificate (about 50 €) and a state fee (about 30.
Features of the rules of the road in Spain
In general, the rules of the road on Spanish roads are not much different from international standards. However, they have their own nuances.
Features of traffic rules in Spain:
- the right to drive a vehicle appears from the age of 18;
- the maximum permissible speed of the vehicle in the city is 50 km / h;
- usually it is not considered a violation and it is not punishable to exceed the speed in the range of up to 10 km / h;
- most intersections have a U-turn;
- penalties for traffic violations are very high and amount to 100-600 €;
- for driving without violations, the driver receives bonus points, the maximum number of which is 15;
- when committing offenses, points are lost, if they are zero, they are deprived of VU;
- points can be restored only after undergoing retraining;
- road signs are often painted on asphalt, especially at intersections and in rural areas.
Answers to frequently asked questions about VU in Spain
Does a foreign driving experience matter when obtaining a driving license in Spain?
Does not count towards the exam. But it can be taken into account in some regions when taking out car insurance.
Can I use a Spanish driving license in Russia?
You will need an IDP in Spain issued in the Russian Federation.
Can I buy a driving license in Spain?
No, since it is never known in advance who will be the examiner. In addition, the whole process is monitored by video cameras.
Summarizing
In 2021, foreign citizens in Spain can drive a vehicle on the basis of several types of documents:
- a valid driver's license from an EU country or an agreement country;
- IDP;
- local VU issued to residents.
The answer as to whether an international driver's license is needed in Spain is yes: Kingdom law requires a translation of the document into Spanish.
The period of validity of a foreign VU and IDP in Spain is no more than 6 months and no more than 2 years from the date of obtaining a resident status (for documents from EU countries and member states of a bilateral agreement).
