Can i use us driver license in spain

The law in spain requires noneu driver s license holders to posses an international driver s permit, which you can obtain through aaa. However, the following countries do require international driver s permits in conjunction with valid united states driver s licenses. The license is valid for 12 months following the date of issuance, not the day of arrival in the country. Full, valid drivers license with paper counterpart. If you have a valid spanish license you may be able to rent a car in the us, however that alone may not be enough. International drivers license for spain rick steves travel.

Slovakia, or spain countries where youre technically required to carry a permit. Can i drive in spain using a united states drivers license. You will need to present your international drivers permit to the car rental. The only documents considered official with legal validity that is in europe are. A priority issue for american citizens resident in germany is the reciprocal recognition of drivers licenses from the two countries. Drivers licenses international drivers permit, renew your. Have no fear though, my brave american and any other rightsideoftheroad drivers friends. You can find more information on the spanish traffic authority website. Whether youre american or canadian, your passport and drivers license are all you need in. If you have a valid eu or eec drivers licence for drivers who have a valid eu european union community or an eea european economic area driving licence and meet the minimum driving. But again, ask the spanish embassy in washington to be sure or your local aaa can also help here as pointed earlier. Malaysia drivers license guideline or requirments free. Slovenia, slovakia, or spain countries where youre technically required to carry a permit. Do i have to get an international drivers license for rental cars in spain or is my us.

If you are planning to rent a car in spain, applying for an international driving permit is. You can drive with a us license in ireland and northern ireland, as long as it is valid while you are traveling. Us driving licenses are as valid over here as your costco card. Consider that international driving permit does not replace valid us state license. Aside from the application form, the driving schools autoescuelas are the key players during the process of getting a valid driving license in spain and you can also do all the procedures online by. The minimum age to drive such a vehicle is 16 years old. Simple and easy to be used for any language speakers. For the first 6 months you live in spain, you can use your official drivers license from the united states. How long can you drive in spain with a foreign drivers license. If your driving license is suspended, you can drive a bellier, chatenet or aixam without any problem. In spain the driving licence is a governmental right given to those who request a licence for any of the categories they desire.

Yes, for up to six months after one becomes a resident a year if no residency is sought. Driving in the philippines with a foreign driver license. How long can you drive in spain with a foreign drivers. Driving in ireland with a us license and ingrained american rules of the road can be tricky at first, so staying calm is half the battle. Most countries will accept a foreign license if you are there temporarily and for a short time. Its a good idea to get one if youll be driving in austria, bosniaherzegovina, croatia, greece, hungary, italy, poland, romania, slovenia, slovakia, or spain countries where youre technically required to. In the us, having a drivers license has limited guarantee if any about the owners driving skills.

That means that your new york driver s license is valid for the first year in spain, but your massachusetts driver s license is not whether the police know which states are valid is another question. American traveling to spain what type of drivers license. If you already have a drivers licence, see if you can use it. Us and canada drivers license requirements enterprise. Every country has its own take on who can rentdrive a car. If tourists or residents those who applied for a residence permit in spain are going to drive a car further, they should get driving licenses for spain.

Also, get information on renting a car and what other documents you may need while driving in the u. That would depend on whether you are a permanent resident or a tourist. Driving in ireland with a us license and staying calm. Austria, bosniaherzegovina, greece, germany, hungary, poland, italy, slovenia, and spain. The rental car company has never asked me for it, but if youre stopped, the police officer might expect you to to have it. The legal age for driving in spain, as in any other european country, is 18. For us drivers, bear in mind that because each state has its own rules, foreign countries make agreements with individual states. However, the following countries do require international drivers permits in conjunction with valid united states drivers licenses. Tell us what companies you like, what tips you used to find a good deal. International drivers license for spain rick steves. Unfortunately, spain and the united states do not have a reciprocal agreement in the validation of the u. Additional governmentissued identification may be required. Having said that, since both the geneva and the vienna conventions are widely adopted across the world by many countries id suspect your us license would suffice to drive anywhere in europe. Youd have to get the idp from spain before you leave.

If you want to drive in spain, you can use your foreign driving license for the first six months if you are from outside the european union eu area, or for up to two years. An international driving permit idp translates your stateissued driver s license into 10 languages so you can show it to officials in foreign countries to help them interpret your driver s license. American drivers must have both their domestic license and idp in their. A foreign license to drive in the united states will be considered valid in 49 states, except for georgia, which requires a us drivers license for foreigners, known as an international driving permit idp.

Jun 30, 2019 driving in the philippines with a foreign driver license posted on june 30, 2019 foreigners who hold a valid drivers license issued by the road authority of their home country can drive here in the philippines for up to 90 days after their arrival provided that their license is in english. However, an international driving permit is required to translate it, as us licenses are not issued in spanish. You can drive in spain using a foreign drivers license for a set period, after which all overseas nationals driving in spain must obtain a spanish drivers license. Drivers license requirements in the united kingdom, ireland and germany. If you need your license in a hurry, go in person so you dont have to wait on the mail. Typically, you need an international driving permit, which is basically a tra. These countries are myanmar, laos, cambodia, vietnam, brunei, malaysia, indonesia, singapore, thailand, and the philippines. People who drive rental cars say the idp is overrated, but can come in handy as a complement to your passport and drivers license. In order to drive in spain, you will have to carry the following. Having said that, since both the geneva and the vienna conventions are widely adopted across the world by many countries i d suspect your us license would suffice to drive anywhere in europe.

This document contains a translation booklet, translate your national driver license in 9 languages which are english, arabic, russian, japanese, portuguese, chinese, german, spanish and french. Requirements for americans driving in spain sanitas health plan. Weve never gotten an international driving permit before those trips and no. Driving permit often referred to as an international driving licence does not. Mailed applications can take several weeks to process. International drivers license for spain rick steves travel forum. The international drivers license in spain is valid for 12 months and cannot be renewed. But for just visiting and driving around, the idp should be fine within the eu. The american automobile association and the american automobile touring alliances national automobile club are the only entities in the united states to issue idps as for recognising your country license, each eu country is different.

Drivers licenses international drivers permit, renew. Aaa accepts applications by mail, but processing time may be. So i would just get itits good for a year and you can specifiy the date on which you want it to begin. International driving license online apply drivers. Temporary drivers licenses may be refused if the renting location is unable to otherwise verify the customers identity or verify the authenticity of the temporary license. In france they have a tendency to confiscate your license for violations, so you can hand over this one instead of your real license. Driver s license requirements in the united kingdom, ireland and germany. You must also meet the usual car rental age requirements check rental car agency for details. And its a good idea to have an international license, when you do. That is extended to the first two years of living in spain if you are a citizen of any of the european union or eea countries.

The law in spain requires noneu drivers license holders to posses an international drivers permit, which you can obtain through aaa. Also, if you already have a driving license, a car like this would help. Temporary driver s licenses may be refused if the renting location is unable to otherwise verify the customers identity or verify the authenticity of the temporary license. There is no agreement between the united states and spain for the validation of a u. You dont need to get an international drivers license. You could simply get an international driving permit. Contact us for more information on an international. Talking on a mobile phone is prohibited while driving, unless you use a handsfree system. At this time, there is no agreement between the united states and spain for the validation of a u. In the end, i stopped using them and decided to pay more in advance for a. A small investment to put you in full compliance with the law and perhaps. Depending on the state youre visiting, you probably need to also have an international driving permit with you.

National id cards which you dont use in the us, passports, idps and if youre an eu resident also driving licenses issued in any of the eu countries which were harmonized eu jargon for standarized a few years ago. Is my us driving license valid to drive in spain or do i need. Should your time in spain extend past this 12 month period, a permanent license should be considered. To obtain a spanish drivers license, you need to take a class at a local driving school and pass the required exams. We use cookies to enhance your website experience, by continuing your visit, you. Travel agents and aaa can help you book a rental car in spain, but for. If you plan on staying in spain longterm and become a resident here, you will need to take a spanish driving test and obtain a spanish driving license. The process of establishing reciprocity continues to be slow, since many informal agreements require individual tailoring to meet the requirements of each u. Sep 22, 2017 therefore, us driver license can be valid for 90 days.

In every other state, your foreign drivers license, together with your biometric passport for the u. Is my us driving license valid to drive in spain or do i. Aug 16, 2018 yes, for up to six months after one becomes a resident a year if no residency is sought. International drivers license translate your official drivers license in multiple languages. How to drive in spain with us driver license international. International driving license online apply drivers license. American citizens can enter spain or andorra visafree for periods of up to three.

However, if a tourist has applied for a multiple entry visa and it allows him to visit spain for many years, then a 90day period starts anew. How to drive in spain with us driver license international driving. Everyone that comes to live in spain and is over that age can use the driving license of their country for a sixmonth period, even if you do not have an official residence in the country. If you find a better price, do not hesitate to use that as leverage to get your. International driver s license translate your official driver s license in multiple languages. Apr 29, 2020 if you need your license in a hurry, go in person so you dont have to wait on the mail. I generally get the idp when i plan to drive in europe, but have never been asked for it, neither in spain or france. In the united states, apply through any local branch of the american automobile association aaa.

For more information regarding driving or traveling in spain then visit the website below, about 34 of the way down is the section on traffic safety and road conditions which gives you more details. In my state, frequent dui offenders seldom get their licenses suspended. Us and canada drivers license requirements enterprise rent. Madrid the capitol of spain is in the hinterland, and a long way from the spanish coast all the international car rental companies have offices in the main cities, and you can read on the right of the tripadvisor page, about driving in spain. The minimum age at which you can obtain a driving licence is. You can read more about this at our spanish driving licences page. To get a drivers license in spain, you must be 18 or older. You can drive in spain using a foreign driving license for a set period, after which foreigners driving in spain must obtain a spanish driving license. Spanish drivers arent the best in europe but certainly not the worst either. The minimum ages for driving in spain are 15 for a motorcycle up to 50cc, 16 for a motorcycle up to 125cc an a1 license is needed and 18 for a motorcycle with an engine capacity over 125cc or for a car. Drivers holding a valid drivers license of the 10 asean member countries can use their national drivers license in the nine other countries without the need to obtain an idp.

Driving around spain can be a bit of a challenge, from renting the right car to knowing. However youll need to keep a translated copy with you. Once you receive your international drivers license, you can use it to drive outside the u. You can legally drive in spain using your existing driving license for. It is also possible to apply for a secondary permit. It is important to understand that the permit is not a replacement for the license.

This takes at least a few weeks by mail, so plan in advance. Americans visiting italy as tourists and intending to drive should obtain an international driving permit before leaving the u. Many foreign driving licences are recognised in spain under reciprocal agreements, including all eu licences and some us state licences, in. It is required for every type of motorized vehicle.

This, coupled with your us drivers license, is recognised in over 70 countries. You will need to obtain an international drivers license to drive in spain and this must accompany your u. You can drive in spain using a foreign driver s license for a set period, after which all overseas nationals driving in spain must obtain a spanish driver s license. Yes, if you are over 18, you can drive in spain on a full american license at 15, you dont have a full license. Whether youre american or canadian, your passport and drivers license are all you. Nov 18, 2011 yes, if you are over 18, you can drive in spain on a full american license at 15, you dont have a full license. Do i need an international driving permit in spain. Does one need international driving license to drive in europe or will us license do. Sep 15, 2007 you will need to obtain an international drivers license to drive in spain and this must accompany your u. Americans may use an international driving permit for six months from the date of entry into poland.

A reflective jacket must be used when getting out of the car on the road or the hard shoulder. If youre thinking of staying less than 6 months, and if the issuing country of your licence is a contracting party of either the 1977 vienna convention on road traffic or the 1949 geneva convention on road traffic, then your licence is valid and you should not face any trouble driving in spain. When driving in spain, you must have the idp to assist foreign agents in validating your license. Spain drivers license guideline or requirments free cancellation. Driving in the philippines with a foreign driver license posted on june 30, 2019 foreigners who hold a valid drivers license issued by the road authority of their home country can drive here in the philippines for up to 90 days after their arrival provided that their license is in english. An international driving permit idp translates your stateissued drivers license into 10 languages so you can show it to officials in foreign countries to help them interpret your drivers license. This can be useful for teenagers as they can gain more driving experience. State drivers license without an idp is insufficient. The law in spain requires noneu drivers license holders to posses an. If the permit expires while abroad, you may apply for a new one by mail through the american automobile association aaa, worldwide travel dept. You can use your great britain gb or northern ireland drivers license in all european union eu or european economic area eea countries, and switzerland. Travel passport it is required to determine the validity of the drivers license not more than 90 days. You can transfer your nj driver license to a german driver license but your ny driver license is not eligible for a transfer to a german driver license. All applicants for a spanish drivers license must be living in spain.

In order to drive in poland, american citizens must have either an international driving permit or a polish national drivers license. Do pay attention to drivers especially taxi drivers suddenly switching lanes. In france they have a tendency to confiscate your license for violations, so you. How to apply for an international driving licence in the.

Getting a drivers license in spain in english in spain, a driving license is similar to the one used in most eu countries, made of plastic and the same size as a credit card with a photograph attached to the document. Therefore, us driver license can be valid for 90 days. Sorry young us citizen you may be able to drive at 16 back home but. If you are an american driving in spain, you will need to carry both your valid u.