Last Updated on May 2, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
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Most people know that once you move to Spain and obtain residency, you are only allowed to drive with your U.S. state driver’s license for up to six months. After that period, you must apply for a Spanish (EU) driving license, which requires passing a theory exam available in Spanish, English, French, or German.
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Start the Moving to Spain Hub →The practical driving exam must be completed through an approved Spanish driving school using one of their dual-control vehicles. During the test, the driving instructor sits in the front passenger seat, while the official traffic examiner sits in the back. In most cases, the examiner gives directions in Spanish.
Below is a selection of common driving test instructions commonly used during the Spanish road test.
The basics
Acelera : Speed up
Frena : Brake
Reduce la velocidad : Reduce your speed
Detente/Para : Stop
Pisa el embrague : Step on the clutch
Important extras
Mete primera, segunda, tercera, cuarta, quinta marcha : Go into first, second, third, fourth, fifth gear
Mete la palanca de cambio en punto muerto : Put the gearbox in neutral
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Da marcha atrás : Reverse
Pon las luces de emergencia : Put on your emergency lights
Aparca en batería, en línea o en paralelo : Park at an angle, in line, parallel park
Pon/Quita el freno de mano : Pull up/down the handbrake
Turning and moving around
Circula por esta carretera de sentido único : Drive along this one-way road
Cede el paso : Give way
Adelanta a la furgoneta : Overtake the van
Incorpórate a la autopista/la rotonda : Merge onto the motorway/roundabout
Acuérdate que es una carretera de sentido único/dos sentidos : Remember it’s a one-way/two-way road
Toma la primera/segunda/tercera salida : Take the first/second/third exit
Échale un vistazo al punto ciego : Check your blind spot
Mira por el retrovisor : Look through the rearview mirror
Cambia de carril : Change lane
Métete por el carril de dentro/fuera : Take the inside/outside lane
Toma la siguiente salida : Take the next exit
Precautions
No superes el límite de velocidad : Don’t go over the speed limit
Ten cuidado con la curva : Be careful with the turn
Deja pasar al peatón en el paso de cebra : Let the pedestrian cross at the zebra crossing
Asegúrate que no vienen coches en el cruce : Make sure there’s no oncoming traffic at the crossing
And a couple of extra ones
Toca el claxon/la bocina : Honk your horn
Pon el limpiaparabrisas : Put on the windshield wipers
Spanish Drivers License Road Test explained for US residents in Spain, including theory test languages, automatic cars, DGT rules, and real expat experiences.
These are the comments from Spainguru’s Facebook group members
“Congrats! I got mine on Nov 3rd. Just in case you’re looking, I’ve had luck getting AutoUnion and SIXT to agree to rent to me on my provisional license. All of the other agencies I’ve approached require 1 year of driving on your Spanish license.”
“Are there any English speaking testing sites/ people/ learning material?”
“Here’s one that is widely used and that has been updated to reflect the latest 2025 DGT Theory Test. As mentioned elsewhere, you can take the Theory Test in Spanish, English, French or German. Best wishes!”
“the practicatest site has is great for learning and practicing for the written test. There is a premium version that costs €35 as I recall, well worth it. I could not find a class in Granada where the instructor speaks in English.”
“Does anyone know if a Puerto Rico driver’s license can be turned in for a Spanish one? Or is the driving school/test required?” – “No, Puerto Rico driver’s licenses cannot be exchanged directly for a Spanish one because the US is not one of the countries with a reciprocal agreement with Spain.
As a resident of a non-reciprocal country, you must obtain a new Spanish driver’s license by passing both the theory and practical driving tests.”
“The tests, both theory and road, are taken at the local DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico, or the Directorate-General for Traffic) office, generally in big cities throughout the country.”
“You can now take the test in a drivers license school’s dual control automatic car, but your license would be forever restricted only to automatic cars. So, yes, okay for automatic!”
“Historically, it was never an issue for me. But, before becoming resident in Spain, I was almost turned away from an Avis, because I didn’t have the “international driver’s certificate”.”
“I just went through this entire process and the information from Ron is all correct based on my experience. The hardest part for me was having to break some bad habits such as my foot riding on the clutch petal, and not keeping 2 hands on the wheel immediately after shifting.”
“If you test in an automatic car, your drivers license is restricted to driving only cars with an automatic transmission.”
Conclusion
The conversation highlights that the Spanish Drivers License Road Test is mandatory for US residents who become legal residents in Spain after the initial six-month driving period. Both the theory and practical exams are required, with the road test typically conducted in Spanish through an approved driving school using a dual-control vehicle.
Several members emphasized preparation challenges, especially understanding Spanish driving instructions and breaking long-standing driving habits. While theory tests are available in English, practical lessons and examiner instructions are often in Spanish, making familiarity with key phrases essential.
The main takeaway is that anyone planning to live in Spain long term should prepare early for the Spanish Drivers License Road Test, choose the right driving school, and understand the limitations of testing in an automatic vehicle.
This article is based on personal opinions from the Spainguru community and is not legal advice.
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