Driving rights exchange in Spain: rights from Russia and the CIS

How many Russian, Belarusian, or Kazakh rights can you travel to Spain?

No more than six months since you became a regular resident of Spain, and only until the rights are in force, as stated in article 21 of the Reglamento General de Investors (Real Decreto 818/2009, and RGC): foreign rights are valid, if they are in force, the owner has reached the age required for the Spanish analogy and since the residencia norma has not been in force for more than six months. [1]If residence is not confirmed, six months are considered as from the date of legal entry into Spain [1].

After this period, the rights are no longer valid for driving in Spain. Article 21.3 of the RGC provides for the main exit: to obtain Spanish rights after the examination of the claims and the examination; the exchange under article 22 is open if the country has a convenio, i.e. a bilateral agreement on recognition, and for professional drivers. [1]. The DGT repeats this on its pages: after six months, either an exchange or new rights. [3][4].

Rights must be subject to one of the conditions of article 21.1: to be issued in accordance with the Geneva or Vienna Conventions, or to be drawn up in Spanish or accompanied by an official translation (by a juror, a Spanish consul or a consul of the country of extradition) [1][4]If your particular sample fits, check the DGT before the countdown starts for six months. juror transfer in Spain.

What is canje and what countries are on the DGT list?

Canje means that the DGT recognizes your foreign rights and issues Spanish the same class, while the original takes away the original. [2][3]The list of the dates of entry into force of the agreements, the length of the examinations and the size of the tasa is published by the DGT, which is updated on 26.06.2026. [2].

What's on the list about our readers:

From the other countries of the former USSR, we found no one in the DGT table. [3]The list changes: agreements with Georgia and Moldova entered into force only in 2024, so before you do so, open a relevant table, not an article two years ago.

When will the exchange not work, even if the country is on the list?

There are two situations that DGT is directly writing about. [2][3]:

• The DGT only makes an exception for South Korea: there may be a date of receipt later than the beginning of residence.
• The rights themselves are granted in exchange for other rights issued by the country without agreement with Spain.

We need to prove that you weren't a resident of Spain at the time you got your rights. [3]If the rights are obtained before moving, usually there is no problem, but the date of receipt and where you lived then collect the documents in advance.

How to exchange rights in Spain: order of steps

1. Check that there is a country in the DGT table And what is the amount of exams for your class of rights? [2].
2. Prepare confirmation of residence and the date of eligibility. DGT calls the active Tarjeta de residencia and lists the documents that are dependent on the case: the resident or student map, certificado de inscrición in the register of foreigners and other documents to confirm that you did not live in Spain at the time of obtaining rights. [3]A separate certificate with apostille is required for Argentine nationals [3].
3. Get informe de aptitud psicofísica (certificate of psychophysical fitness) in the authorized Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores. It is valid for 90 days: apply before it expires [3].
4. Apply for Canje No tests are required for the exchange without examinations (classes A1, A, B, B+E) [3][6].
5. Pay for the tasa. In table DGT on 2 October 2026, the untested exchange is tasa II.3 of 28.87 y, with the examination for groups C and D tasa II.1 of 94.05 y. [2]In the description above the DGT table, instead of sums, there are stubs XX.XX €, so check the amount in the form of payment.
6. Get temporary clearance. When applied, they give a permanent, and they come in about a month and a half. [3]Status can be checked on the DGT website.

Class C and D rights (truck, bus) usually require additional testing: practice and sometimes theory [2][3]A professional driver hired by a transport company may request the company to exchange on his behalf [6]If you only need the usual license for a car, it's not your case.

What if countries are not on the list: new rights in Spain

For professional drivers, article 22.1.b RGC allows for exchange without conviio: national rights that conform to the Geneva or Vienna Convention or have an official transfer, confirmed by a professional driver in a Spanish company for at least six months (with a record of alta and contributions) and a check of road control up to 30 minutes, no loss of authority [1]As DGT applies this route to drivers from Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan, we did not find on the DGT exchange page. All others need to pass the DGT examinations: theoretical and practical (for individual classes, still the manoeuvres in the closed area) [5]General conditions: residence in Spain, lack of management, psychophysical fitness, age for the right class, lack of rights of another EU State and examination at Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico [5]A foreign student outside the EU requires confirmation that he/she has been studying in Spain for at least six consecutive months. [5].

Practice is: DGT indicates that they usually prepare themselves at a car school, but they can also do so by taking the theoretical exam directly. [5]We don't evaluate and recommend car schools, and the timing and cost of the Catalonia examinations should be looked at on the DGT website and your Jefatura at the time of the application.

While you're waiting for the exam, the old license is only six months from receiving residence. Residence permit and TIE.

Do international rights need to be addressed, and what should they be done?

International rights (permiso international para conducir) are granted under the Geneva Convention of 1949 and are valid for one year [1][4]Under article 21.1.c of the RGC, they are recognized in Spain if they were extradited abroad on the basis of the model convention. [1]. The DGT recommends that those traveling from a country outside the EU get them in their home country before arrival, and carry them along with their national rights and passport. [4].

International rights do not extend the six-month term for residents or replace the exchange. [1][4]Spanish international rights are granted only to Spanish residents under article 32 of the RGC and only in Jefatura Provincial de Trafico [1], so you don't need them to move.

Typical errors in foreign rights exchange and driving

• They count six months on their calendar. The law will count the period from receipt of residencia normal, confirmed by Ley Orgánica 4/2000. If you have entered earlier or have lived in another status, specify to the DGT from which date it considers your period [1].
• They're putting the exchange off until the end of the term. The law allows for exchange as soon as you have received residencia normal without waiting six months (art. 22.2 RGC) [1].
• We didn't check the health certificate. It's 90 days in service: an expired certificate will bring you back one step. [3].
• They expect rights from Russia or Belarus to be exchanged by general rule. If the country is not in the DGT table, the delivery will not help [2][3].
• They got the rights at home, already a resident. Such rights are not exchanged by DGT [2][3].
• Ignoring translation. Rights not granted in accordance with the model of the convention and without the Spanish text need to be formally translated [1][4].

What can we help you with?

The right to drive is DGT, not migration status, and we don't consult on the rights themselves, and we can help with what is next: confirm from what date you think you have a regular residence permit, prepare documents and translations for exchange, give you a first step after receiving TIE (i.e.,First 30 days after approval, empadronamiento. If you bring a car to Spain, see article on moving goods and motor vehicleThe first 30 minutes of the consultation are free of charge: SignI. Overview of grounds for residence and first steps available on the page Residence permit in Barcelona.

Frequent issues

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The source is viewed on 02.10.2026 · NEXO · Drafting Draft · Sources do not replace individual legal advice.