Obtaining Spanish driver's licenses for US citizens

Hi Theo,

My neighbour passed his Spanish driving test in November.  He signed up with a driving school in Villamartin and it took 5 months to complete both the theory and practical tests, at a total cost of around €1,000.  The theory test can be taken in English, but the practical test is carried out in Spanish.  Despite having passed his driving test in the UK almost 40 years ago, he had to have a course of driving lessons on the road which, as he doesn’t speak Spanish, included learning the commands that he could expect to receive from the examiner during the practical test.  

I have heard of people who spent as little as €400, but that's because they had fewer driving lessons, so you may want to get quotes from several driving schools.  

Kind regards, 

Kim

Thank you very much for the info!

Theo

Hi Theo - We have also just moved here from the U.S. and I am in search of a school also.  I called a local school here in Orihuela Costa and was told don't bother until you have your T.I.E. residency card since you can not obtain your license without it.  We have hired a company to help with the TIE since it's impossible to get an appointment.  In the meantime I found a website and will be just doing the practice tests every day until I can take a few lessons.  If you found other information please share!  Good luck here - it seems like a reprieve from where we came from.  :)

Laura and Allan

Thanks! I’m just starting my search for a Spanish DL, so I don’t have any info to share. I can let you know when I do. We are living in Oliva and we just got our NIE’s and are working on getting the TIE’s. 

Take Care,

Theo

Have a look at the N332 website, it is for English speaking people and deals with anything to do with driving in Spain.   The website, and their Facebook page, is run in collaboration with officers of the Guardia Civil.

Thank you!