International driving permit: how to get one

If you are thinking of travelling abroad and you have to drive, you are probably wondering whether your Spanish driving licence will be valid. The good news is that with your Spanish licence you can drive without problems in all the countries of the European Union and in those included in the European Economic Area. These countries are Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, so if your destination is one of these countries, you can relax and you do not need anything else.

Outside Europe, there are other countries where you can drive without needing any additional document, under bilateral agreements with them. These include Chile, Andorra, Switzerland, Morocco, Colombia or Japan, among others. You should check the DGT website to see whether your chosen country is on this list.

International driving permit

The international driving permit is required in the rest of the countries. It is valid in virtually every country in the world, but it must be accompanied by the licence issued in Spain. To obtain the international driving permit you have to apply for it at the DGT, either online or by going to the institution’s offices.

Obtaining the international permit via the DGT website

You must access the DGT website and select the Driving Licences option, then click on International permit. There you must identify yourself with a digital certificate or Cl@ve credentials. The corresponding fee of 10.40 euros must be paid.

You must fill in all the contact fields and add the office where you want to receive the international permit. A current colour photo measuring 32 x 26 mm with a plain background must be attached to the application. In just two days the permit will be ready to collect at the selected office.

International permit in person

At the DGT office you must request the documentation needed to apply for this permit. The fee must be paid through the MiDGT app or at an authorised bank, and you must return with the receipt. A photograph is also required, and you must show your ID card or your valid driving licence.

In this case, the international driving permit is obtained in a few minutes, as the procedure is completed at the office itself. With this simple process you can drive in almost any country in the world and enjoy your trips with your own or a rented vehicle.