Driving in Spain: UK Expat's Complete Guide to Spanish Roads

Driving in Spain as a UK Expat

Post-Brexit, driving rules for British expats in Spain have changed. Here's what you need to know in 2026.

Exchanging Your UK Licence

The Rules Now

UK licences are valid for driving in Spain for 6 months after becoming resident. After that, you must exchange for a Spanish licence.

Exchange Process

1. Book appointment at your local Jefatura de Tráfico (traffic office)

2. Medical test (certificado médico) at authorised centro - around €35

3. Submit application with:

- Original UK licence

- NIE and passport

- Empadronamiento

- Medical certificate

- Application form

- Fees (~€28)

4. Wait 4-8 weeks for your Spanish licence to arrive

5. Your UK licence is returned marked as exchanged

Do I Need to Retake a Test?

No - UK licences exchange directly without testing.

Spanish Road Rules

Speed Limits

| Road Type | Speed Limit |

|-----------|-------------|

| Motorway | 120 km/h |

| Dual carriageway | 100 km/h |

| Single carriageway | 90 km/h |

| Urban areas | 50 km/h (30 in residential) |

Fines Are Serious

Spanish traffic fines are significant and enforced:

Minor speeding: €100+

Significant speeding: €300-600

Phone use: €200

Drink driving: €500-1,000+ and possible licence suspension

Drink Driving

Limit is 0.5g/l (stricter than UK). For new drivers, it's 0.3g/l. Don't risk it - taxis are affordable.

Roundabouts

Spain uses the same give-way-to-the-left rule as the UK (you give way to traffic already on the roundabout). However, many Spanish drivers ignore lane discipline - be cautious.

ITV (Spanish MOT)

When It's Needed

| Vehicle Age | Frequency |

|-------------|-----------|

| 0-4 years | No ITV required |

| 4-10 years | Every 2 years |

| 10+ years | Annual |

Where to Go

ITV stations are located in industrial areas. Book ahead - walk-ins often have long waits. Cost is approximately €40-50.

Buying vs Importing a Car

Buying in Spain

Pros:

Already Spanish plates

No import hassle

Dealer warranties available

Cons:

Generally more expensive than UK

Smaller used market

Importing from UK

Pros:

Potentially cheaper

Right-hand drive (some prefer it)

Cons:

Complex paperwork (DGT registration, import duty if applicable)

Homologation requirements

Resale value lower in Spain

Our advice: For stays over 2 years, buy Spanish-registered. The import process is expensive and time-consuming.

Insurance

Spanish car insurance (seguro) works similarly to the UK but is generally cheaper.

Types:

**Terceros básico** - Third party only (cheapest)

**Terceros ampliado** - Third party + fire/theft

**Todo riesgo** - Fully comprehensive

Most expats choose terceros ampliado or todo riesgo. Shop around online - Rastreator.com compares quotes.

Tolls

The AP-7 motorway has tolls in some sections. For Marbella to Málaga airport, expect €7-8 in tolls. The free A-7 runs parallel but is slower and more congested.

Parking

Blue lines = paid parking (often free 2pm-5pm and weekends)

White lines = free parking (limited)

Yellow lines = no parking

Disabled spaces = strictly enforced

Underground parking (parkings) typically costs €1-3/hour.

Tips from Experience

1. Get a Via-T device for automatic toll payment

2. Carry your documents - police can ask for licence, insurance, ITV

3. Watch for speed cameras - they're everywhere

4. Use apps like Waze for traffic updates

5. Don't tailgate - Spanish drivers often brake suddenly

For more on settling in, see our moving guides.