For many foreigners relocating to Spain, one of the most practical questions that arises is whether they can take the driving test in Spain with an automatic car. Adjusting to a new country comes with its fair share of bureaucracy, and driving legally is often essential — especially for those living outside major urban centers.
This comprehensive guide explains how foreign residents can obtain a Spanish driving licence, what to expect if they choose to take their test in an automatic car, and how the process differs for citizens from the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Why You May Need a Spanish Driving Licence
Spain’s driving regulations distinguish between EU/EEA licence holders and non-EU nationals.
- EU/EEA citizens can drive in Spain using their valid EU licence without needing to take a new test.
- Non-EU nationals (including Americans, Canadians, Australians, and others) can use their valid home-country licence for up to six months after obtaining legal residency.
After that period, they must either exchange their licence for a Spanish one (if an agreement exists between Spain and their country) or pass the full Spanish driving test — both theory and practical exams.
Here’s the list of countries with agreement with Spain to exchange driving permits.
Driving Licence Exchange Agreements: Who Can Swap and Who Cannot
Spain has bilateral agreements with certain non-EU countries, allowing drivers to exchange their home licence for a Spanish one without retaking any exams.
- UK citizens: Thanks to the post-Brexit agreement, British residents can exchange their UK licence for a Spanish one directly, as long as the licence is valid.
- Americans, Canadians and Australians: Unfortunately, Spain does not have a reciprocal agreement with either the U.S. or Australia. Drivers from these countries must complete the full Spanish driving test to obtain a new licence.
During the exchange process, successful applicants receive a provisional Spanish driving licence valid for three months while waiting for the permanent plastic card to arrive.
Driving in Spain as a Foreigner: Short-Term vs. Long-Term Stays
If you are visiting Spain as a tourist or on a short stay, you can drive using:
- Your valid home-country licence, and
- An International Driving Permit (IDP), which translates your existing licence.
However, once you become a resident, the situation changes. After six months, foreign licences are no longer recognized, and you must apply for a Spanish licence — either through exchange or examination.
Can You Take the Driving Test in Spain with an Automatic Car?
Yes — you absolutely can take the driving test in Spain with an automatic car.
Spain’s traffic authority, the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), permits learners to take their practical test using a vehicle with automatic transmission. Upon passing, you receive a B-automatic licence (Permiso B limitado a vehículos automáticos).
This licence is legally valid across Spain and the European Union, but it has one key limitation: you can only drive automatic cars. It does not authorize you to operate vehicles with a manual gearbox.
The way to identify this limitation can be found on the physical card of your driving licence. On the back, where the type of licence is specified, you will not only see the letter ‘B’ but also a code next to it with the number 78.
Requirements to Obtain a Spanish Licence for Automatic Cars
To apply for a Spanish driving licence — automatic or manual — you must meet the following conditions:
- Be at least 18 years old. You can start theory lessons up to three months before your 18th birthday but must be 18 to take the practical test.
- Provide proof of legal residency in Spain. Non-residents cannot sit the Spanish driving test.
- Pass a medical examination from an authorized health center accredited by the DGT to confirm you are physically and mentally fit to drive.
- Enroll in an accredited driving school (autoescuela) that offers automatic vehicles — not all do.
- Pass the theory test, which covers Spanish road signs, driving regulations, and safety principles.
- Pass the 25-minute practical test in an automatic vehicle, demonstrating your ability to safely handle real-world driving conditions.
What to Expect in the Automatic Driving Test
The theory test is identical for all candidates, regardless of whether they plan to drive manual or automatic cars. It can often be taken in English at select centers.
The practical test involves driving under the supervision of an examiner and includes:
- Starting, stopping, and parking maneuvers.
- Obeying traffic signals and right-of-way rules.
- Merging onto highways and roundabouts.
- Demonstrating control and awareness in traffic.
Because automatic vehicles lack a clutch pedal, the driving test can feel easier — particularly for learners unaccustomed to manual transmissions.
Where to Take the Driving Test for Automatic Cars
Not all driving schools in Spain are equipped to provide lessons or testing in automatic vehicles. Those that do must have special authorization from the DGT.
These schools must comply with the same regulations as manual-training centers but often charge slightly higher fees due to the lower demand and the higher cost of maintaining automatic cars.
According to Spain’s RACE car association, only 1 in 100 learners in Spain currently opt for an automatic-only licence, though the number is steadily increasing.
Restrictions and Penalties for Automatic Licence Holders
If you obtain a B-automatic licence, you are legally restricted to driving only automatic vehicles.
If you are caught driving a manual car with an automatic-only licence:
- You can be fined €500,
- Lose four points from your driving record,
- And your car may be impounded.
Additionally, your insurance coverage will be void if you are involved in an accident while driving a manual car without the proper licence.
Benefits of Taking the Driving Test in an Automatic Car
While there are limitations, there are also clear benefits:
- Simpler learning experience: No need to manage clutch or gear changes.
- Reduced test anxiety: Fewer mechanical tasks mean you can focus more on road awareness.
- Perfect for electric and hybrid cars: All EVs are automatic, so this licence covers them.
- Ideal for expats who already drive automatics: Particularly useful for Americans, Canadians, and Australians accustomed to automatic vehicles.
Who Should Consider the Automatic-Only Licence?
An automatic licence is ideal for:
- People with physical conditions that make manual driving difficult.
- Expats who only plan to drive automatic or electric vehicles in Spain.
- Drivers who want a quicker, less stressful route to obtaining a Spanish licence.
However, for those planning to live long-term in Spain — especially in rural areas — it might be wiser to take the manual test. Manual cars are still more common in Spain’s second-hand and rental markets.
Transitioning from Automatic to Manual Later
If you later decide you want to drive manual cars, you can upgrade your licence by taking another practical test in a manual car. You don’t need to redo the theory exam. Once passed, the restriction on your licence will be lifted, allowing you to drive both types of vehicles.
The Future of Automatic Cars in Spain
Spain is steadily embracing the electric revolution. Every major manufacturer is moving toward hybrid and fully electric models — all of which are automatic. As a result, DGT-authorized schools are expanding their automatic vehicle fleets, and demand for automatic driving licences is rising year after year.
In the near future, taking the driving test in Spain with an automatic car may become the standard rather than the exception.
Key Takeaways
- You can legally take your Spanish driving test in an automatic car.
- Your licence will be restricted to automatic vehicles only.
- Non-EU drivers (especially Americans, Canadians and Australians) without a reciprocal agreement must take both theory and practical tests in Spain.
- EU, UK licence holders can exchange their licences directly.
- Driving a manual car with an automatic-only licence results in fines and loss of points.
- Automatic cars, including electric vehicles, are increasingly common in Spain.
Conclusion
For newcomers settling in Spain, understanding the driving licence system can feel complicated. Fortunately, the option to take your driving test in Spain with an automatic car provides flexibility and a smoother learning path — particularly for foreigners used to automatic vehicles.
While this licence comes with restrictions, it remains a practical solution for urban residents, electric car users, or anyone seeking to avoid the steep learning curve of manual transmissions. As Spain modernizes its roads and embraces electric mobility, the automatic driving licence is becoming an increasingly relevant choice for expats across the country.
