Ukrainian driving licence exchange in Spain 2026

If you arrived in Spain with a Ukrainian driving licence, the big question is whether you can drive on it and how to get a Spanish one. Good news: Ukrainians with temporary protection (protección temporal) can use a simplified exchange — without an exam. But the route depends on your status, and getting it wrong is costly. This guide covers both scenarios: who qualifies for the easy exchange (canje) under the EU special regime, who goes through the ordinary exchange under the agreement, and who still has to take an exam.

Where to start: which route is yours

Before gathering documents, identify your scenario — everything depends on it.

Can you drive while the exchange is in progress?

Yes, with caveats. A valid Ukrainian licence is recognised in Spain while you hold temporary protection — no sworn translation or international permit is required (Regulation 2022/1280, art. 3). At the same time, the DGT's page repeats the general rule of the Reglamento General de Conductores (art. 21): a foreign licence is valid for driving for at most 6 months from the date you acquire normal residence in Spain, after which an exchange is required. Don't put it off: the cita previa (appointment) is the main bottleneck.

If you also drive a car on foreign plates, it has its own deadline — see the guide “Car on Foreign Plates in Spain 2026”.

Route A: exchange without an exam (temporary protection)

What you'll need

1. Resguardo of the temporary-protection application or its resolution — or the TIE (residence card) under protection. If your TIE shows an earlier printed date, it is still valid until 4 March 2027 (Orden INT/96/2026)
2. The original Ukrainian licence, valid (handed in to the DGT during the exchange). If the licence was lost or stolen, under temporary protection you can file a declaration instead of the original — the DGT checks your driving rights with the Ukrainian authorities (Regulation 2022/1280, art. 6)
3. Informe de aptitud psicofísica — from a psicotécnico centre (a medical centre accredited by the DGT): group I for categories A/B, group II if you exchange C/D
4. Photo: it is not on the DGT's document list for the canje — the psicotécnico centre sends your picture to the DGT with the report, and since 6 November 2024 the DGT no longer asks for the talón-foto again when it already holds one. The Reglamento (Anexo III) still describes the 32 × 26 mm format — bring one such photo just in case
5. Address for notifications — the card is posted to you. An empadronamiento certificate is not on the DGT's list: residence is proven by the resguardo or the TIE
6. Payment of the DGT fee (Tasa 2.3) — €28.87, by card at the office (no cash) or online in advance. For C/D categories with a test — Tasa 2.1, €94.05

Step-by-step process

1. Take the psicotécnico. Find the nearest centro de reconocimiento de conductores accredited by the DGT. They check vision, hearing and reflexes. It costs €30–50 and takes 20–30 minutes. The centre sends the report to the DGT electronically.
2. Book the cita previa. At sede.dgt.gob.es (choose "cita canje UA") or by phone on 060. Alternatively, file the application online through the DGT's Registro electrónico with Cl@ve or a digital certificate: the DGT then calls you in to the Jefatura once it has processed the request. This is the hardest step — slots are often gone; see the mistakes section.
3. Pay the fee. Tasa 2.3 (€28.87) — online on the DGT site in advance or by card at the office on the day.
4. Go to the Jefatura de Tráfico with the full set of documents. You hand in the original Ukrainian licence. The DGT verifies the licence's authenticity (verificación) in every case — this can add time.
5. Get the provisional authorisation. On the spot they issue an autorización provisional so you can drive while the plastic card is produced.
6. Wait for the card. The Spanish licence arrives by post — according to the DGT, about a month and a half later.

Route B: exchange under the agreement or exam (no temporary protection)

Ukraine has an exchange agreement with Spain (Canje de Notas of 11 January 2010, BOE-A-2010-14841). Without temporary protection the exchange follows the general procedure of the Reglamento General de Conductores (arts. 22–23) and the terms of the agreement — also without an exam for categories A1, A, B and BE; C/D require a practical on-road test.

What you'll need

1. TIE / NIE — valid resident document
2. Proof that the licence predates your move — for licences issued after 31 October 2010, only those obtained before you became a Spanish resident are exchanged (the licence issue date is compared with the date of your residence card)
3. The original valid Ukrainian licence
4. Informe psicotécnico (same as in Route A)
5. Payment of the DGT fee — Tasa 2.3 (€28.87), or Tasa 2.1 (€94.05) for C/D with a test

How it works

1. Cita previa "Canje de permisos" via sede.dgt.gob.es or 060 — or an online application through the Registro electrónico.
2. Authenticity check. The DGT must request confirmation from the Ukrainian authority (Anexo II of the agreement); the exchange is not completed until the reply arrives — allow weeks or months.
3. Hand in the original and get the provisional authorisation. From here it is the same as Route A: the card arrives by post.

An exam is unavoidable if the licence cannot be exchanged: it was obtained while you were already a Spanish resident, it is genuinely expired, or it was itself obtained by exchanging a third country's licence. Then the path is the same as for a new driver: the theory test (30 questions, up to 3 mistakes allowed — confirm the current format with the DGT), then the practical test with a DGT examiner, fee Tasa 2.1. The theory can be taken in castellano, the regional co-official languages, English, French and German (DGT form Mod.04) — Ukrainian is not offered.

Common mistakes

1. Delaying the cita previa. Appointments go instantly. Log in early in the morning and check several Jefaturas in your province.
2. Ignoring the 6-month rule. With a resguardo, an exchange before the 6 months are up won't be accepted — you'll have wasted the trip.
3. Writing your licence off as expired. Ordinary Ukrainian licences are valid for 30 years or indefinitely, and first 2-year licences that expired after 31 December 2021 are treated by the DGT as valid for the duration of martial law — don't rush to the exam, check your case first.
4. Not checking the categories. Only A1, A, B and BE are exchanged directly; C and D need a practical test and a group II psicotécnico.
5. Confusing your route. The costliest mistake is preparing for the canje without being eligible. First, confirm your status (Route A or B).

Useful contacts

• DGT — appointments and general info: phone 060 (agents Mon–Fri, 9:00–18:00; automated line around the clock), site sede.dgt.gob.es
• Cita previa canje: sede.dgt.gob.es → "Canje de permisos" → "cita canje UA"
• Ucrania Urgente (Ministry of Inclusion): official information for Ukrainians — ucraniaurgente.inclusion.gob.es
• UNHCR Spain (ACNUR): refugee support on driving and documents — help.unhcr.org/spain
• Psicotécnico: search for a "centro de reconocimiento de conductores" near you (several in every large city)