Having a Foreign driving license in Barcelona

I was trying to cross a street in Barcelona recently. There were three lanes of cars and next to it another two lanes of motor bikes waiting to speed off. As my pedestrian light was green I started crossing the street, however only half way across the light mysteriously turned red.  As cars tend to do in Barcelona, the split-second their light turned green they all slammed on the gas as I tried to run and make it to the other side of the street without being mangled or simply run over. Before making it to the other side, the motor bikes had already flown by me.  One moto missed me by by less than a centimeter and almost sent me flying into a nearby tree.  As  I recovered my breath and tried to reduce my pulse to a normal level, the biker turned around to ask me if I was crazy.  I explained to him that the pedestrian’s light had malfunctioned and I was not indeed trying to kill myself. He apologised and went of. So I decided to find out how to get my own driving license in Barcelona and below is what I found.

If you are in Barcelona for longer than six months, (for less, it is not necessary for EU residents to get a Spanish license) and thus have the empadronamiento (resident in Spain, they gave you a NIE number) you need to convert your EU Foreign drivers license in Barcelona so that it becomes valid under Spanish law. (For non EU drivers license owners you will have to do the test from scratch.) To convert your license you must go to the traffic depot and acquire the application form and relevant documents. In Barcelona the traffic depot is situated in Gran Via Corts Catalanes, 184 (Tel: 932 986 500 / Buzon.jptb@dgtrafico.org).

Once you have filled out the application form, you will need to present the following original documents and photocopies:

• Valid NIE and photocopy (or passport) that is evidence of (student/normal) residency
• Two recent photographs, 35 x 25 mm
• Signed self-declaration that you have not had your license suspended or vehicle apprehended due to reckless driving in your country of origin. (you can get the form at the depot)
• Signed self-declaration that you do not have another driving license for any other country apart from the license that you want to convert. (also available at depot)
• Original driving license that you want to convert. (This will be retained by the traffic depot and returned to your country of origin)

If you are a non EU resident, in addition to the material sited above it is necessary to provide the following documents:

• A medical report obtained from the relevant centres that costs approximately €25-30 (there are centres of this type on Gran Via Corts Catalanes, next to the traffic depot)
• Signed self-declaration that testifies to the authenticity and validity of the original driving license as well as an official translation (if it is not in Spanish) of this document carried out by a legal interpreter; Spanish consulate abroad; consulates in Spain form the country of origin or by the Royal Spanish Vehicle Club (Real Automóvil Club de España). To carry out this process you will need to speak and understand a minimum of Spanish. If you have difficulties with the language, it is advisable to go accompanied by a Spanish speaker. The whole process takes about 2 hours, depending upon queues, and costs approximately €20.

Driving lessons in Barcelona

If you do not have a driving license and you live in Barcelona you might be want to learn to drive. To obtain a driving license it is necessary to pass a written theory test and a practical test. English speakers can request the theory test and books in English, although the practical test will be conducted in Spanish. First you must pass the theory test and the best way of doing this is to enrol in a driving school (autoescuela); classes are held in Spanish. Depending upon the individual school, enrolment fees start from €300 and include the books and theory test. Once you have passed the theory test you can begin driving lessons and it is estimated that an average of 40 classes are needed to pass a test at €25 Euros per class. The driving school charges a fee of €40 Euros for the exam and when you apply for the license after having passed the exam you will be charged €75. The total approximate cost to obtain a driving license is €1500.

Renting a car in Barcelona

There are several car rental agencies in Barcelona, in particular at Barcelona airport and Sants station. It is advisable to look around and to contact a few different car rental companies before deciding whose services to use, since prices can vary quite dramatically. It is more economical to book online, as most online packages (especially if booked through non-Spanish portals) include unlimited mileage. Online rentals and telephone bookings must normally be made 48 hours in advance. This is always cheaper than making an on the spot booking for the same day. Special offers aren’t always listed on the website though, sometimes you can get a special deal by phoning their call centres. If you are booking online, you could also try selecting different car pick up points around Barcelona, since some cars might be available from one pick up point and not from another. Also, the difference in price between the cheapest car and a slightly better one might not be very much so this is also worth checking.

Driving in Barcelona advice

Drivers in Spain are fast and aggressive and about 20% do not have insurance, the speed limit on the motorways is 120 KM per hour although this is mostly used in the extreme right, slow lane. Be sure about where you can park in the centre of Barcelona as illegal parking results in your car being towed away by “la Grua”, which you will have to pay up to €180 to retrieve it. Watch out for the one way system in the centre of Barcelona; usually maps will show which direction the road goes in.

This video gives an impression of what it is like to drive on a motor bike in Barcelona

For more information:
Catalonian Driving School: 976 32 84 90 / www.autoescuelacataluna.com