In order to exchange your UK driving licence for a Spanish one, you’ll need to provide a medical certificate. This is NOT the same as the medical certificate for a first visa application.
The informe de aptitud psicofísica, commonly called a psicotécnico, is a medical report specifically for a driving licence application, exchange or renewal.
You’ll need to visit an authorised medical centre called a Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores (Driver Recognition Centre). Not all medical centres can produce the relevant reports.
You may need to make an appointment, but some medical centres accept walk-ins on specific days or at particular times.
Here’s a search facility on the DGT website where you can find authorised centres in your area.
What should you tell the medical centre?
When booking, explain that the medical is for exchanging a UK driving licence for a Spanish one — un canje de permiso de conducir británico.
Tell the centre that you want the assessment to cover all the categories you are entitled to exchange, rather than just category B for cars.
If you hold a full motorcycle licence, mention this specifically. Likewise, tell the centre if you want to retain eligible lorry, bus or trailer entitlements, as these may require a different medical assessment.
You can say:
Quiero canjear mi permiso británico y conservar todas las categorías que sean canjeables. Por favor, hagan el reconocimiento para todas ellas.
If you have a full motorcycle licence, add:
También tengo el permiso de moto y quiero conservar esa categoría.
There is no single maximum category for everyone. Eligible categories can include CE for lorries with trailers and DE for buses with trailers, depending on your existing entitlements, restriction codes and medical fitness.
You can check the applicable categories and exceptions in Annex I of the official UK–Spain driving licence exchange agreement.
What should you take to the medical appointment?
Take the following with you:
- Your original passport and Spanish residency document, such as your TIE. If you have a green EU registration certificate, take it together with your passport.
- Your original UK driving licence, so the centre can check your categories and any restriction codes.
- Your glasses or contact lenses, if you use them for driving, and any hearing aids you normally use.
- Details of your regular medication and any relevant recent medical or specialist reports.
- A means of payment. Ask the centre about the price and whether it accepts cards or requires cash.
Confirm the centre’s document requirements when booking, particularly if your residency document is being renewed.
If you have a medical condition that could affect your fitness to drive, ask beforehand whether you need to bring a specialist report.
What does the medical involve?
The assessment checks vision, hearing, coordination and general health to establish whether you meet the medical requirements for driving.
You’ll be asked about your health, medical conditions and medication, and complete some simple coordination tests.
Answer the questions accurately. Depending on your circumstances, the centre may need additional medical information before completing the report.
The price varies between centres and may depend on the categories being assessed, so ask for a quote when booking. The medical centre’s charge is separate from the DGT exchange fee.
What happens after the medical?
Before leaving the medical centre, check that your name and NIE are correct and confirm that the assessment covers all the eligible categories you have requested. Ask for a printed copy of your medical certificate and keep a clear scan for your records.
Once you have your medical certificate, send it with the rest of your documents to our collaborating Gestoría, following the instructions in our video and driving licence exchange service. Alternatively, the Gestoría will arrange collection, as agreed with you.
The Gestoría will then continue with your driving licence exchange application.
The medical report has a 90-day validity period, so coordinate the timing with the Gestoría to ensure your application is submitted while the report is valid.
Once the report has been incorporated into an application within its validity period, it forms part of that procedure.
Example medical certificate
The example below shows the type of report issued by a Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores. It uses fictional personal details and is marked “EJEMPLO / SAMPLE — SIN VALIDEZ”.
Plan ahead if you need to drive, travel or hire a car
You can drive on your valid UK licence for a maximum of six months after establishing normal residence in Spain. Arrange your exchange well before this period ends if you want to continue driving. Submitting an application does not, by itself, extend that six-month period.
The temporary driving authorisation you receive during the exchange process is valid only in Spain. If you need to hire a car while waiting for your Spanish licence, check directly with the hire company whether it accepts the provisional document.
For a full rundown of the exchange process and information about our service, read our guide:
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