How to exchange a Colombian driving license for a Spanish one

If you have decided exchange the Colombian driver's license for a Spanish one you have to know that you have to meet a series of prerequisites. In this article we will focus only on the procedure to exchange permits, with which you can get a spanish card with full validity.

The previous steps that must be fulfilled are: being registered in the resident registry, having an identity document accepted in Spain and that your driving license has not been issued in Colombia after the start of your authorized residence in Spain. If you meet all three, you would already be in a position to exchange your Colombian driver's license.

Do you need to pass an exam in Spain? Depends

If you want to exchange a motorcycle or car license, that is, permissions A, B, B+E, you will not need to pass any exam. On the other hand, if what you want is to exchange a truck or bus license C, C+E and D, you will have to run a test. In a driving school they can inform you about it.

Request an appointment at the DGT

To start the paperwork, the first thing you have to do is request an appointment in the General Directorate of Traffic. You can do this in two ways: through the electronic headquarters of the DGT, whose main page has a direct link to “Redeem permissions”, or calling 060 in indicating to the answering machine that you want to make a “Exchange of Permits”.

In this application they will ask for your NIF or NIE, name and surname, province of residence, date of birth, identity document number and driving license number. They will give you a day and time in which you must attend with the following documentation.

Documentation to exchange the Colombian card

When you show up at the office where you requested the appointment You must bring the following documents with you:

The official request

You can get it on the same page of the DGT for Exchange of Permits where it is written as “Permit/Registration Application Form”. It includes a statement that your right to drive has not been taken away by court order, that you do not have another driving license of the same type from another country of the European Union or the European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland and Liechenstein) even if it has been restricted, suspended or annulled. Note that by signing it you are responsible of the validity, authenticity and validity of the Colombian permit that you want to exchange.

fees paid

You can pay online on the DGT page, with a bank card at the Traffic Headquarters and with a bank account or cash at any affiliated financial institution to the payment of fees with model 791 (also available at the Headquarters and on the DGT website). There are two kinds:

• Rate II.3: for motorcycle or car permits A,B,B+E. what does it cost $28.
• Rate II.1: for truck or bus permits C, C+E and D. what does it cost $91,20. Remember that to exchange these permits you need to pass some tests in Spain.

Identification and residence documents

You will also be asked Original ID or Passport and in force and residence authorization. Hence, you have to have these previous steps completed to be able to exchange your Colombian driving license in Spain.

Telematic psychophysical aptitude report

that you can get anywhere Driver Recognition Center. They consist of a few medical and aptitude tests to check that you are fit to drive a vehicle.

Colombian driving license

That, like the rest of the documents, has to be original and in force, but also could not have been issued In colombia after the start of your residency authorized in Spain.

A photo

A color photo taken from the front measuring 3,2 cm x 2,6 cm with a plain background. You must go out with your head uncovered and without dark glasses or any other element that prevents you from being recognized. With a taken from a photo booth or a professional that you tell what it is for will be enough. A photo stub with a box will not be necessary because this element is provided in the office.

Also keep in mind…

You may have to go to the office more than once, since they may have to contact the authorities of your country to confirm certain information and the response does not have to be immediate. If this is your case, they will give you an appointment to come back another time to complete the process.