Do You Need An International Driving Permit In Spain? The Truth Most Tourists Don’t Know

You’ve booked your flight, sorted your rental car, and you’re fresh to deed nan Spanish roads.

But past comes that confusing spot – do you really request an International Driving Permit (IDP) to thrust successful Spain, aliases is it 1 of those recreation myths that refuses to die? Let’s clear nan aerial erstwhile and for all.

If you’re from nan EU aliases EEA, relax—you tin thrust anyplace successful Spain pinch your regular licence. No translations, nary IDP, nary paperwork hassle. Spain recognises EU and EEA licences automatically, arsenic agelong arsenic they’re valid and readable.

Now, if you’re British, things get a small much absorbing post-Brexit—but nan bully news is, for astir short visits, you don’t request an IDP either. A UK photocard licence useful conscionable fine. The only clip it becomes tricky is if you still person 1 of those aged insubstantial licences, aliases if you’re renting from a institution that insists connected seeing an IDP astatine nan counter. Yes, immoderate do—and they tin legally garbage to manus complete nan keys without one.

For everyone other – nan U.S., Canada, Australia, aliases anyplace extracurricular Europe – that’s wherever nan IDP starts to matter. Spanish rule says your overseas licence must beryllium either successful Spanish aliases accompanied by an charismatic translation. The IDP acts arsenic that translation, which is why it’s powerfully recommended. It’s not technically a “licence”, conscionable a booklet confirming what your location licence says – but it could prevention you a fine, aliases a very awkward roadside chat pinch nan Guardia Civil.

“Permits written successful Spanish aliases pinch an charismatic translator are valid,” explains Spain’s Directorate-General for Traffic (DGT). “Otherwise, you must person a recognised world permit.” That intends if your licence is successful English, French, aliases different Latin-script language, you’ll astir apt beryllium good – but if it’s successful Arabic, Cyrillic, aliases Chinese characters, decidedly bring nan IDP.

So, what happens if you don’t?

In astir cases, if nan constabulary extremity you and your licence isn’t successful Spanish aliases translated, it’s treated arsenic a insignificant administrative issue, not a criminal 1 – but you could still get a fine, and if you’re renting, nan security mightiness not screen you. That’s a headache worthy avoiding.

For longer stays, things alteration again. Once you officially unrecorded successful Spain (usually aft six months), your overseas licence stops being valid, and you’ll request to exchange it for a Spanish one. Spain has agreements pinch galore countries, but not all—so cheque earlier you move.

What car rental companies don’t show you

Here’s wherever galore travellers get caught out. The rule mightiness not require an IDP – but rental companies tin make their ain rules. Europcar, for instance, intelligibly states that drivers from nan U.S. aliases Canada must coming some their nationalist licence and an IDP to rent successful Spain. Others person akin clauses buried heavy successful their position and conditions.

In different words: moreover if it’s not legally mandatory, your rental statement mightiness make it so. That’s why countless Reddit and Tripadvisor threads are afloat of travellers saying, “We were refused a car because we didn’t person an IDP.”

So, erstwhile successful doubt? Email your rental institution earlier you fly. A speedy “Just confirming if you require an International Driving Permit for a [country] licence successful Spain?” tin prevention a batch of trouble.

Which IDP do you need?

Spain follows nan 1968 Vienna Convention. For Brits and astir Europeans, that intends your IDP (if needed) is valid for up to 3 years, aliases until your licence expires. For Americans, nan AAA-issued IDP is valid for 1 year.

Applying is simple: successful nan UK, you tin prime 1 up astatine nan Post Office for £5.50. In nan U.S., only AAA and AATA are authorised to rumor them – don’t autumn for scam websites trading clone “digital” permits. In Spain, residents tin get theirs done nan DGT for a mini fee, and it’s valid for 1 year.

The speedy checklist

Before you deed nan road, here’s what you should person connected manus successful Spain:

• Your valid driver’s licence (and IDP if needed)
• Your passport aliases nationalist ID
• Insurance documents
• Your rental statement and emergency numbers

And yes – ever deterioration your seatbelt, nary matter really short nan trip.

Final verdict: Do you really request an International Driving Permit successful Spain?

If your licence is from nan EU, EEA, aliases UK (photocard)y – ou’re bully to go. If it’s from anyplace else, aliases not successful Spanish aliases Latin letters, transportation an IDP. And if you’re renting a car, cheque your provider’s mini people earlier you travel.

It’s a mini archive that could prevention you from a monolithic headache – and perchance from being stranded astatine nan airdrome pinch nary car.

Because successful Spain, arsenic galore seasoned travellers will show you, “better to person it and not request it, than request it and not person it.”