Driving in Spain: International Driving Document requirements for visitors
Start Express ApplicationSpain is a party to both the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic and the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic — either International Driving Document type is accepted. Spain drives on the right. Urban speed limit is 50 km/h (30 km/h in some residential areas), highway up to 120 km/h. Blood alcohol limit is 0.05%. EU/EEA licence holders can drive without an International Driving Document for short visits; non-EU licence holders should carry one.
Spain at a glance
- Permit type
- International Driving Document
- Side of road
- Right (overtake on the left; same as France, Italy, Germany, the US)
- How long it is valid
- 1 year (Geneva) or up to 3 years (Vienna)
- Minimum driving age
- 18
- Blood alcohol limit
- 0.05% (0.03% for novice drivers within 2 years and professional drivers)
- Emergency number
- 112 (EU universal emergency number)
How to get your permit for Spain
You do the first step; a dedicated expert does the rest.
Tell us your destination
Spain + your nationality. ~30 seconds.
We confirm what you need
A 1949 Geneva Convention or 1968 Vienna Convention International Driving Document for Spain — either works, picked for you so you don't have to decide.
We handle the paperwork
Your dedicated expert checks your documents, prepares the application, and files it correctly with the authorized agency.
Review by a real person
A dedicated expert reviews your submission — not a bot.
Track every step
Live dashboard + email/SMS updates from submission until your International Driving Document is in hand.
Spain driving rules at a glance
- Side of road
- Right (overtake on the left; same as France, Italy, Germany, the US)
- Minimum driving age
- 18
- Speed limit — urban
- 50 km/h (30 km/h in some residential areas)
- Speed limit — rural
- 90 km/h
- Speed limit — highway
- 120 km/h
- Blood alcohol limit
- 0.05% (0.03% for novice drivers within 2 years and professional drivers)
- Seatbelts
- Mandatory for all passengers (front and rear)
- Helmet
- Mandatory for all motorcycle and scooter riders
- Mobile phone
- Hands-free only — handheld use is illegal
- Emergency number
- 112 (EU universal emergency number)
- Right turn on red
- Prohibited — wait for green
Documents required to drive in Spain
What police and rental counters expect you to carry, every time you drive.
- Valid foreign driving licenceMust be valid and cover the vehicle class you plan to drive
- International Driving DocumentEither Geneva or Vienna type accepted
- PassportRequired for identification at all times
- Valid Spanish visa or visa exemptionMost non-EU tourists receive 90-day visa-free entry
- Vehicle registration documentsProvided by the rental company
- Insurance certificateThird-party liability insurance is mandatory in Spain
When you need a permit in Spain
How the requirement plays out, case by case.
EU/EEA licence holder
No — Valid for the duration of your visit
Non-EU licence holder
Yes — recommended — Rental companies and police may request it
Licence not in English, French, or Spanish
Yes — as translation — Needed as a translation document
Frequently asked questions
Driving in Spain with a foreign licence, answered.
Last verified Reviewed by Expedify Compliance Review
About this service
Expedify is a private application-assistance service, not a government agency or an authorised issuer. International Driving Documents are issued by the authorised body in your licence country; our agency fee covers preparation, review, and tracking of your application, and is separate from the issuer's own fee. The information on this page is general guidance, not legal advice — acceptance rules are set by each destination country and can change. Always confirm requirements with the official issuer or the authorities of the country you're visiting.