Driving license renewal

Hi , does the Spanish driving license need to be renewed every 5 years from date of issue or when you reach 70

The overall expiry date is shown on the front of the licence at note 4b above your signature. Also for different vehicle categories under column 11 on the reverse. Mine had to be renewed after 10 years from date of issue. It expired after 5 years for some 'non-car' categories which I don't need anyway.

Many thanks

Spanish driving licence due to be renewed End of June, we won’t be here , so how far in advance can it be renewed?

Anniep wrote:Spanish driving licence due to be renewed End of June, we won’t be here , so how far in advance can it be renewed?

Up to 3 months in advance until the date of expiry.

Thanks Marcliff

Hi looking for some advice or input to see if anyone with a similar issue can help show the way forward. We are resident in Spain and wanted to exchange our UK driving licences. Appointment made with DGT only to be advised that we could not do this as we obtained our licences in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) and they do not have an agreement with Zimbabwe. These were exchanged in the UK some 20+ years ago. Do we now need to go through the process of obtaining Spanish driving licences?

Yes you do you will need to take a driving test

Driving licence holders from non-EEA countries Spain has a bilateral exchange agreement with
Drivers from Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Dominical Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Macedonia, Morocco, Nicaragua, Peru, Panama, Paraguay, Philippines, Serbia, Turkey, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uruguay, and Venezuela can exchange their licences for Spanish ones within their first six months of residency in Spain.
They will need all the same documents for those from Andorra, Switzerland, Japan and South Korea, apart from the translations as necessary for Japan and South Korea.
According to Spain's Directorate General of Traffic (DGT), drivers with licences from these countries do not have to take out international driving permits to start driving in Spain either.

Citizens of other non-EEA countries such as the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand
Those with a driving licence from outside of the EU who are not nationals of the countries with special agreements with Spain (listed just above) are allowed to drive in Spain for a maximum of six months before they need to get a Spanish licence. The six month grace period starts from the time they register for residency.
If their foreign driving license is not in Spanish they must however get an official translation of it or apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) before they start driving in Spain.
This includes those with driving licences from English-speaking countries such US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
So if you are staying in Spain long-term and become a resident here, you will have to resit your driving test in Spain (theory and practical), as Spain doesn't have an exchange agreement with most non-EEA countries.
Non-EEA drivers who are spending sporadic periods of time in Spain should know that the IDP is only valid for a period of 12 months, but your current driving license will need to have at least 6 months of validity remaining. After this time however, it can be renewed.
To get the IDP you need the following documents:

• Signed copies of the front and back of your current driving license.
• Two passport-sized photos (See application form for requirements)
• A completed IDP application form
• To pay your fee

Taking a Spanish driving test
If you’ve been driving in Spain for a while, then you’re probably used to the road rules and differences of Spanish driving, but if you haven’t, then you will probably be expected to take a few lessons before re-sitting your exam.

Thank you so much for that most informative response. Will start putting things in motion!