Exchanging a Ukrainian licence in Spain: 15 steps for Barcelona

Exchanging a Ukrainian licence: 15 steps

1. Check your licence categories and expiry date

   Only a valid licence can be exchanged. Categories A1, A, B and B+E are exchanged without exams; categories C and D only after an on-road driving test. If your licence has already expired, there will be no exchange: go to step 14.

   • Checked the expiry date on the licence itself
   • Listed my categories and matched them to A1, A, B, B+E, C, D
   • Checked that the licence was issued before I became a legal resident of Spain

   Where: the licence itself, DGT table “Países con convenio de canjes”Timing: before starting the procedureCost: free

   When to get help: your licence was issued or replaced in Ukraine while you were already living in Spain. The DGT does not exchange licences obtained during legal residence here.

2. Determine your status and the start date of the six months

   Two deadlines depend on your status. With temporary protection, the exchange is possible once 6 months have passed since the date the resguardo (filing receipt) or the protection decision was issued, or since your confirmed date of entry into Spain. With a standard residence permit, it is 6 months from residencia normal: this is the last point at which you can still drive on a Ukrainian licence.

   • Found the date on the resguardo or in the temporary protection decision
   • Kept proof of the entry date (stamp, ticket) if the count runs from entry
   • If I moved from protection to another residence permit: noted the date of the new permit

   Where: protection documents or TIETiming: 6 monthsCost: free

   When to get help: you switched from temporary protection to another residence permit basis. How the six months for driving are counted in this case has not been officially clarified; it is best to check with the DGT or a lawyer.

3. Decide whether you can drive right now

   With temporary protection, a valid Ukrainian licence is recognised in the EU for as long as the protection lasts (Reglamento (UE) 2022/1280), provided you have reached the age Spain requires for that category. Protection has been extended until 4 March 2028. With a standard residence permit, the licence is valid for no more than six months from residencia normal (article 21 Reglamento General de Conductores).

   • I carry my licence, passport and protection document or TIE
   • Put 4 March 2028 and the end of my six months in the calendar
   • Not waiting until the last weeks: an exchange with verification takes time

   Where: Reglamento (UE) 2022/1280, RD 818/2009Timing: for the duration of protection or 6 monthsCost: free

   When to get help: your protection has ended or was not extended, and your licence has not been exchanged.

4. Check the canje conditions under the agreement with Ukraine

   The agreement has been in force since 31.10.2010. According to the DGT table, “motorcycle or car” licences are exchanged without exams (tasa 2.3), and “lorry or bus” licences after a driving test (tasa 2.1). Licences obtained in Ukraine when you were already a legal resident of Spain cannot be exchanged.

   • Opened the “Ucrania” row in the DGT table and checked the update date
   • Worked out whether I need a driving test for C or D
   • Prepared proof that I was not a resident of Spain when the licence was issued

   Where: dgt.es, Países con convenio de canjesTiming: before applyingCost: free

5. Pass the medical check at a CRC

   The informe de aptitud psicofísica is issued by a Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores, a private centre authorised by the DGT: group I for A and B, group II for C and D. The centre itself sends the result to the drivers’ register electronically, and the report is valid for 90 days from the day after issue (Real Decreto 170/2010, article 15).

   • Booked an appointment at a CRC in Barcelona
   • Took my passport or TIE, and glasses or lenses if I wear them
   • Planned to apply within 90 days

   Where: Centro de Reconocimiento de ConductoresTiming: the report is valid for 90 daysCost: set by the centre

6. Sort out the translation and the international permit

   For people with temporary protection, the DGT does not require a sworn translation or an international driving permit: this is stated explicitly in Reglamento (UE) 2022/1280 and on the DGT page for Ukraine. With a standard residence permit, to drive in the first six months the licence must be in Spanish, come with an official translation, or follow the Geneva or Vienna Convention model.

   • With protection: I am not ordering a translation for the DGT
   • With a standard residence permit: checked whether I need an official translation to drive before the exchange
   • For trips abroad after the exchange: noted that a permiso internacional is needed

   Where: DGT sede, RD 818/2009 article 21Timing: before you start drivingCost: translation at the translator’s rate

   When to get help: you are not sure whether your licence format counts as matching the convention. On translations: sworn translation step by step.

7. Pay the DGT tasa

   Exchanging A1, A, B and B+E requires tasa 2.3; C and D require tasa 2.1 (which gives two exam attempts). The amounts on the DGT and Ministry of the Interior pages are €28.87 and €94.05. An old DGT PDF shows €28.58 and €93.12, so check the amount on the payment form.

   • Paid the right tasa on the DGT sede and kept the receipt
   • Checked the amount on the day of payment: DGT fees change

   Where: sede.dgt.gob.es, pago de tasasTiming: before applyingCost: €28.87 (2.3) or €94.05 (2.1)

8. Book a cita previa with the DGT in Barcelona

   Booking is free: on the DGT sede, by phone on 060 or in the miDGT app. In the province of Barcelona the system has two offices: Barcelona and Barcelona-Sabadell. According to the cita previa page, exchanges under agreements are not handled without an appointment, because the check with the issuing country goes through the visit.

   • Chose the canje procedure and the office
   • Saved the booking confirmation
   • If applying online: still checked whether I need an appointment to hand in the licence

   Where: sede.dgt.gob.es, 060, miDGTTiming: whatever dates are free in the systemCost: free

9. Gather the documents

   The list on the DGT page for Ukraine: application form (Modelo 03), identity document, proof of residence, proof that you were not a resident of Spain when you got the licence, the original licence, the medical report and the fee receipt. With temporary protection, residence is proved by the resguardo of the protection application, a document from the decision or the TIE.

   • Filled in Modelo 03
   • Passport and resguardo, protection decision or TIE
   • Original Ukrainian licence
   • Tasa receipt and CRC report number

   Where: DGT sede, Mod.03Timing: before the visitCost: free

   When to get help: your licence was stolen or lost. The DGT accepts an application without the original on the basis of a loss statement, but verification in Ukraine is still mandatory.

10. Apply online or at the Jefatura

    You can apply through the DGT sede with Cl@ve or a digital certificate (canje digital, which includes Ukraine), in person at the Jefatura with an appointment, or through a representative with written authorisation. After processing, the DGT tells you when to come to collect the temporary permit and hand in the original.

    • Got Cl@ve: how to get Cl@ve
    • Applied and saved the expediente number
    • Checking my inbox: notifications come by e-mail

    Where: sede.dgt.gob.es or Jefatura Provincial de TráficoTiming: depends on verificationCost: included in the tasa

11. Hand in your Ukrainian licence and wait for verification

    The original licence is handed in at the Jefatura. The DGT verifies the licence with the Ukrainian authorities, and for people with temporary protection the DGT page for Ukraine says plainly: no exchange without verification. The DGT sends the surrendered licence to the issuing country (article 20 Reglamento General de Conductores).

    • Made a copy of the licence before handing it in
    • Handed in the original and got a confirmation
    • Following the verification status by e-mail

    Where: Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico, Barcelona or SabadellTiming: the DGT does not guarantee a timeframeCost: free

    When to get help: the verification has dragged on for months or the answer came back “Rechazada”. It is worth finding out the reason before applying again.

12. Get the temporary permit

    When you hand in the original, you receive a permiso provisional. According to the DGT page on Ukraine, it lets you drive for 6 months, but only in Spain: it is not valid abroad.

    • I got the temporary permit and carry it with me
    • Noted the date the six months run out
    • I’m not planning to drive abroad until I get the card

    Where: Jefatura Provincial de TráficoTime: 6 months, Spain onlyCost: included in the tasa

13. Receive the plastic card

    The permanent Spanish licence arrives by post, after about a month and a half according to the DGT. The card is sent to the address the DGT has on file, so that address must be up to date.

    • I checked my address with the DGT (miDGT or sede)
    • I put my name on the letterbox
    • If the card didn’t arrive before the temporary permit expired: I contacted the DGT

    Where: post, miDGTTime: about a month and a halfCost: included in the tasa

14. If exchange isn’t possible: exams

    Your licence has expired, was issued while you were legally resident in Spain, or doesn’t cover the category you need: then your route is the same as for someone without a licence. Medical check, theory, practical test, tasa 2.1 (€94.05) for two attempts. The category B theory test is taken in Spanish, Catalan, English, French or German; Ukrainian and Russian are not on the Modelo 04 list.

    • I understand why exchange isn’t possible in my case
    • I chose the language for the theory test and how to prepare
    • I opened the detailed steps on the driving licence in Spain route card

    Where: Jefatura Provincial de TráficoTime: a passed stage stays valid for two yearsCost: €94.05 (tasa 2.1)

    When you need help: your protection is ending, you haven’t passed the exams yet, and you need the car for work.

15. Points and renewal of a Spanish licence

    Spanish licences work on points: usually 12, 8 for new drivers and after losing your licence, 15 at most. A B licence is valid for 10 years, 5 years after age 65; C and D for 5 years, 3 years after age 65 (article 12 of the Reglamento General de Conductores). Renewal: a new medical report and tasa 4.3, €24.58 on the Ministry’s page.

    • I check my points in miDGT
    • I put my licence expiry date in my calendar
    • I update my address with the DGT after moving

    Where: sede.dgt.gob.es, miDGT, CRCTime: 10 years for B until 65Cost: €24.58 (tasa 4.3) plus the medical check