Driving licence

If we move out to Spain what are the rules about driving and driving licences. Do we need to take a test do we need to speak Spanish. Thanks

Where are you from? If UK you can drive on your UK licence for up to 6 months. The agreement to exchange the DL is "imminent" but has been for months and months. If no agreement after you have been here 6 months then you need to take a test but both the UK ambassador and the Spanish government have said it's been approved and is just awaiting parliamentary agreement. You then have six month in which to exchange your licence for a Spanish one.

You will need a medical test either way.

If not from UK you need to check which licences are acceptable to change (all EU ones are including Ireland).

If you do get to the stage where you need to take a test, the written test can be done in English but the practical is in Spanish. You would need to register with a driving school and take lessons as there is no Spanish provisional licence and you can only drive with a qualified instructor.

Edited to add:
The UK ambassador has stated a UK licence holder may not need to take the medical on exchanging the licence but will need to do so on renewal. This has not been confirmed as yet.

Thank u very much for the information. We are from the UK. Much appreciated

Update from the British Embassy in Madrid today (Feb 8th 2023)

"We know you are anxious for news about when the driving licence agreement will go before the Consejo de Ministros (Council of Ministers). We continue to press the Spanish Government for a precise date and, while they have not confirmed one yet, they have assured us that it will be very soon. We recognise this is frustrating but, as a Spanish Government process, it is not in our hands. Thank you for your patience.”

This is getting rather boring and repetitive.
The UK ambassador to Spain issued another update yesterday on the exchange of licences.
Seem to be a "new" update every month.

He has assured those affected that he has again spoken to the Spanish government about this important matter and states that a decision will be forthcoming in the "next few weeks".

In his last update, on Jan 24th, he said "the next update will be to give the date that this will take place" and "this will be in the next few weeks"

Sound familiar? And anyone holding their breath?

Thanks for the update