Vehicle and driving-licence paperwork in Spain
Buying a used car, bringing your own vehicle to Spain or sorting out your licence all run through the DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) — with tax steps around them that are easy to miss. We prepare and manage the procedure, check the vehicle’s record before you commit, and keep you informed until the paperwork is in your name.
Who it’s for
- New residents buying or selling a used car in Spain
- People bringing a car with them from another country
- Non-EU licence holders working out what they need to keep driving legally
- Owners who need a duplicate, a change of details or to take a vehicle off the road
Documents you’ll usually need
- Passport and NIE, TIE or EU registration certificate
- Padrón certificate
- Vehicle registration certificate (permiso de circulación) and technical card
- Purchase contract or invoice
- Valid ITV inspection, where applicable
- Current driving licence and medical-psychological certificate for licence procedures
What we handle
Change of ownership (transferencia)
Transfer of a used vehicle between private sellers or from a dealer, including the regional transfer-tax self-assessment where it applies.
Vehicle report (informe de vehículo)
Checking the DGT record for charges, embargoes, inspection history and recorded mileage before you buy.
Registering an imported vehicle
Technical documentation and ITV inspection, registration-tax self-assessment or the exemption for a change of residence where it applies, municipal road tax and Spanish plates.
Duplicates and changes of details
Duplicate registration certificates or licences, and updating your address on DGT records.
Deregistration (baja)
Temporary or permanent deregistration, including coordination with an authorised treatment facility for scrapping.
Driving-licence exchange (canje)
Preparing the exchange application where your licence was issued by a country that has an agreement with Spain.
Licence planning for non-exchangeable licences
Explaining the route to a Spanish licence when your licence cannot be exchanged, and the administrative steps around the driving school and exams.
Last reviewed: Legal basis: RDL 6/2015 (Ley de Tráfico) · RD 2822/1998 (vehicles) · RD 818/2009 (drivers)
Who does what — stated plainly
BorderConexion coordinates and prepares your case. Our founder is completing the official Máster en Gestión Administrativa (2026–27), the qualifying route to colegiación as a Gestora Administrativa in Spain. We are currently onboarding colegiado partners (abogados and gestores administrativos colegiados). Until those partnerships are in place, we offer consultations, route planning and document preparation; any filing that legally requires a colegiado professional will be submitted by a named partner, identified in your engagement letter.
Frequently asked questions
Can I exchange my US driving licence in Spain?
Generally no. Spain only exchanges licences issued by countries it has an agreement with, and US licences are not currently covered. Once you become resident you may drive on your US licence for a limited period (generally six months), after which you need a Spanish licence obtained through the theory and practical tests. Check the current DGT rules for your case.
Do I need to exchange my UK or EU driving licence in Spain?
EU and EEA licences remain valid in Spain, although they must be renewed under Spanish rules once you are resident. UK licences are covered by an exchange arrangement for residents, subject to its conditions. Check which rules apply on the date you become resident.
How do I transfer ownership of a used car in Spain?
The buyer and seller sign a contract, the regional transfer tax is self-assessed where it applies, and the change of ownership is recorded with the DGT. It is wise to obtain a DGT vehicle report first, so you know about any charges or embargoes before you pay.
Can I bring my car to Spain when I move?
Yes, but it must be registered in Spain within the time allowed once you are resident. That involves technical documentation, an ITV inspection, the registration tax or a residence-change exemption if you qualify, and Spanish plates. Some vehicles from outside the EU need extra homologation work, which can make the process more involved.
What is a DGT vehicle report?
It is an official report from the DGT showing a vehicle’s registered owner history, inspection record, recorded mileage and any charges, embargoes or administrative issues. It is the simplest way to check a used car before buying it.
Tell us what you need
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