Read how to exchange your NZ drivers licence in Spain

You can submit your exchange applications in person or by mail at any of DGT’s 50 provincial headquarters, two local headquarters, or 16 local offices. In-person services are available by appointment only. You can locate your nearest DGT office here: https://www.dgt.es/conoce-la-dgt/donde-estamos/

You will need to submit the following documents when applying to exchange your New Zealand driver licence for a Spanish one. All documents must be originals:
1. Completed application form (available in PDF format on the DGT website). https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/permisos-de-conducir/canje-permisos/canje-permisos-extranjeros/canje-permisos-con-convenio/index.shtml
2. Valid national identity card or New Zealand passport.
3. Spanish residence permit (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero – TIE) or proof of registration in the Central Register for Foreigners for New Zealanders who have dual citizenship with an EU/EEA country.
4. Medical certificate from a recognised medical centre like the Authorised Drivers´ Check Centre (Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores Autorizado).
5. Current and valid New Zealand driver licence.
6. Two recent colour passport photographs (32x26mm portrait image against a plain, light background without head coverings, sunglasses, tinted/thick-framed glasses, or any other accessory that may prevent or make identification problematic. Head coverings for religious reasons are acceptable, provided the full face is visible from the hairline to the bottom of the chin).

You will need to pay a €28.87 fee when converting your New Zealand driver licence to a Spanish one. Please note that it is necessary to book an appointment with DGT before starting the application process. This can be done online through the DGT website here: https://sedeclave.dgt.gob.es/WEB_NCIT_CONSULTA/solicitarCita.faces
or by calling the general government information hotline at 060. If a third person will be applying on your behalf, they must inform DGT when making the appointment and eventually present their official ID card or passport and a written authorisation from you confirming that they are representing you free of charge.
There are three payment options:
1. online through the DGT website: https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/permisos-de-conducir/canje-permisos/canje-permisos-extranjeros/index.shtml
2. by bank card at DGT Traffic Departments across Spain: https://www.dgt.es/conoce-la-dgt/donde-estamos/
3. by direct debit from a bank account or in cash at any bank (the 791 payment application form is available in paper format at Traffic Departments and can also be downloaded electronically from the DGT website: https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/otros-tramites/pago-de-tasas/index.shtml

You will be required to surrender your New Zealand driver licence when converting it to a Spanish licence. The Spanish traffic authority (DGT) will return your New Zealand licence to Waka Kotahi, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). If or when you return to New Zealand, you may obtain a New Zealand photo driver licence via a replacement application. Further information on this process will be available on the NZTA website https://www.nzta.govt.nz/ in due course.

The DLA covers Class 1 (cars) and Class 6 (motorcycles) New Zealand driver licences. New Zealand Class 6 licences will only be exchanged for Spanish Class A licences when the holder is at least 20 years old and has held that class for two years. For all other licence classes, New Zealanders are required to take the full Spanish driving test.

The driver licence exchange is applicable only to cars and motorcycles. You will be able to add relevant classes to an existing Spanish licence, and then you will be required to surrender your New Zealand driver licence.

If you have a valid Spanish driver licence, you can drive in New Zealand for up to 12 months from the date of your arrival in the country. You must have the licence translated into English. Waka Kotahi approved translators can be found here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/new-residents-and-visitors/approved-translators/ and you will need to carry the translation with your original licence while driving in New Zealand.
International driving permits are also valid and can be obtained by applying through DGT. Detailed instructions on the application process can be found here: https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/permisos-de-conducir/permiso-internacional/
If you want to continue driving in New Zealand 12 months after your arrival in the country, you can apply for a replacement of your original New Zealand driver licence. If you have not held a New Zealand driver licence previously, you will need to apply for a conversion of your Spanish licence. Instructions on the application process to convert your Spanish licence to a New Zealand equivalent can be found here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/new-residents-and-visitors/converting-to-nz-driver-licence/

New Zealanders visiting Spain have two options for driving:
1. Visiting New Zealanders may drive for a maximum of six months on a valid and in force New Zealand driver licence.
2. New Zealanders residing in Spain may drive with a valid New Zealand driver licence for a period of six months from the date they obtain the residence permit. After this period, if they want to continue driving in Spain they must exchange the New Zealand driver licence for a Spanish equivalent.

There is no requirement to have been in Spain for any specific period of time before being eligible for exchange.

No. The DLA does not apply to driver licences issued in New Zealand resulting from the exchange of a driver licence from another country.

New Zealand driver licences may only be renewed in New Zealand. See: https://nzta.govt.nz/driver-licences/kiwis-overseas/
It is possible to extend an expired licence for 12 months from the date of expiry via a replacement application your licence. If your licence expired more than five years ago, you may have to resit theory and practical tests to requalify your licence unless you can substantiate that you have been licenced to drive during this period.

If your New Zealand driver licence has been lost or stolen, you may obtain a replacement licence from overseas provided your licence has not expired. If your licence has expired, you may extend it for 12 months from the date of expiry via the replacement application.

The exchange is for valid driver licences issued in New Zealand, and is not determined by nationality of the holder.