Last Updated on April 18, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
If you get a Spain Non Lucrative Visa do you have to give up your British driving licence and take the tests for a Spanish one?
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →“Yes, within six months, and the test is very easy.”
“There is no test, just an exchange.” – “There IS a test. It’s a hand/eye coordination test, and you must pass that to get the licence exchanged.”
“It depends where you are. We never had to do the computer thing, even when my husband renewed his at 70.”
“You can change it over. It’s known as a ‘Canje.’ Best to do it within the first six months if you don’t want a break in driving.”
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Explore Cities →“Technically, you are only allowed to drive for the first six months of residency. Then you are supposed to stop until you change your license.”
“If it’s a UK licence, I know it’s fine to change after the six months. Other licences may vary and will depend on the convenio.”
“Your UK licence is now invalid to use, and you shouldn’t be driving. But you can still exchange it even if you’re over the six months.”
“You have to exchange it for a Spanish licence within six months of residency. It’s a relatively straightforward procedure, and they will take your UK licence off you and replace it with a Spanish one. You don’t need to take a driving test; it’s just a short medical.”
“Almería – Just completed our exchange. Quick, easy medical: height, weight, blood pressure, coordination test. Trip to Jefatura de Tráfico with relevant documentation, now waiting for the Spanish licences to arrive in the post. Temp driving permit in the meantime. Can do it all by yourself.”
“Yes, within six months. Quick medical: height, weight, a little tick-box questionnaire, and a simple eye test of reading out letters on the bottom line (with glasses if you have them).
There’s a computer test that’s simple—keep two balls between two moving lines. I hit the sides quite a few times, but I guess the margin for error is quite high. It’s a simple process, but we had a solicitor fill out all the forms—not expensive.”
“You swap your UK licence for a Spanish licence. I was told you only have a medical.”
“Just done ours—simple health check, and our lawyers did the rest. Well worth doing it through a lawyer.”
“Book with numbers to test eyesight, tuning fork to test hearing, grip test, and pulse rate all done in five minutes. Then there’s a traffic light test.”
“Within six months for the exchange, and the test people are talking about is an agility test, not a driving test.”
“You give it up after your medical, which is only an eye test and a ‘stupid 1980s computer game.’ Everyone passes.”
Conclusion
According to Spainguru’s Facebook group members, UK residents moving to Spain on an NLV must exchange their British driving licence for a Spanish one within six months of residency.
While this process doesn’t involve a driving test, a basic medical exam is required, which typically includes vision, coordination, and general health checks.
Some members suggest handling the exchange independently, while others recommend using a lawyer to ensure a smooth process.
If you delay the exchange past the six-month mark, your UK licence becomes invalid, but you can still complete the exchange process.
Planning and acting early can help avoid breaks in your ability to drive, ensuring a seamless transition to life in Spain.
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