Spain Grants Driving Licenses Exchange Without Exams Through New DGT Digital System
The Spanish Government, has introduced a new digital system that allows citizens from Morocco and 20 other non-EU countries to exchange their foreign driving licenses for a Spanish one — without an exam or prior appointment.
Who benefits?
This applies to residents in Spain from countries with bilateral agreements, including:
Morocco, 
Algeria, 
Bolivia, 
Brazil, 
Chile, 
Colombia, 
Costa Rica, 
Ecuador, 
El Salvador, 
Philippines, 
Georgia, 
Guatemala, 
Honduras, 
North Macedonia, 
Moldova, 
Nicaragua, 
New Zealand, 
Panama, 
Paraguay, 
Dominican Republic, 
Serbia, 
Tunisia, and 
Turkey.
What’s new?
The entire process can now begin online.
No need for an in-person appointment — just:
Verify the license digitally with the original issuing authority
Receive email approval
Visit DGT to hand over the original license and collect a temporary one
Receive the final Spanish license by mail
Goal:
To reduce the backlog in DGT offices and simplify the process.
Note:
If the foreign license isn’t validated by the original authority, the request is automatically denied.
Here’s the explanation in English, ready for your Facebook comment or caption:
What about the UK
?
The United Kingdom does have a bilateral agreement with Spain for exchanging driving licenses, but it is not part of the 21 countries listed in this new digital system because its agreement is separate and specific, due to Brexit.
Currently, UK citizens residing in Spain can exchange their valid UK license without taking an exam, as long as:
The license is still valid
The exchange is requested within the legal timeframe (usually within 6 months of obtaining residency)
So, the UK is not excluded, but it’s covered under its own independent agreement — not this new streamlined digital process for non-EU third countries.
