Category B license in Alicante

Can you drive in Alicante with a Russian licence

In brief: while you are a tourist — yes; once you have residency — no.

• Tourist / first months. With valid Russian driving licence and a certified translation (or an International Driving Permit, IDP) you may drive until you become a Spanish resident.
• After obtaining residencia. From the moment you are granted residency, the law allows a limited period (usually up to 6 months) to make the switch. After that, driving on a Russian licence is not permitted — even if it has not yet expired.

Key fact: there is no direct exchange (canje) of Russian driving licences for Spanish ones — Spain has no active agreement with Russia, Belarus, or Kazakhstan. You must obtain a new licence through a driving school: theory and practical tests. The exception applies to Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova: licences from these countries can be exchanged at the DGT without exams (Ukraine since 2010, Georgia and Moldova since 29 September 2024).

Category B and automatic transmission: what’s the difference

**Category B covers passenger cars up to 3,500 kg, up to 9 seats, with a trailer up to 750 kg. This is the category almost all expats obtain.

• You take the test in a manual (manual) — your licence covers both transmission types: you can drive both automatic and manual vehicles.
• You take the test in an automatic (automático) — your licence will carry code 78, meaning you may only drive vehicles with an automatic gearbox. It’s easier and faster on the test day, but comes with that restriction.

Tip: if you plan to drive automatics only — and there are more of them in Europe, including electric cars — take your test in an automatic. You’ll save time and money.

How to get a category B driving license in Alicante: step by step

1. Obtain your NIE and register on the padrón. Without resident status, you will not be admitted to the DGT exam.
2. Enrol in a driving school (autoescuela). There are dozens in Alicante, and some work with English-speaking students.
3. Complete the medical examination (psicotécnico) at a centro médico — a fitness certificate costs approximately €40–60.
4. Pass the theory test (examen teórico DGT) — 30 questions, up to 3 mistakes allowed. The exam is in Spanish; English and French are available in some provinces. Prepare using DGT Test apps.
5. Complete practical training with an instructor and pass the practical exam with a DGT examiner.
6. Obtain your permiso de conducción B.

How much it costs and how long it takes (Alicante, 2026)

The final amount depends heavily on how many practical lessons are needed. Those who already drive confidently pay less and finish faster.

Frequently asked questions

Can you exchange a Russian driving licence for a Spanish one without taking an exam?

No. Spain has no licence exchange agreement (canje) with Russia, so licences must be obtained from scratch — through a driving school with a theory and practical exam. The same applies to Belarus and Kazakhstan. The exception is Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova: Spain has exchange agreements with these countries, and licences are swapped without exams.

What does ’automatic category B’ mean?

This is a Category B licence obtained in a car with an automatic gearbox. Code 78 is entered in the document — you may only drive automatic vehicles. To drive a manual, the test must be taken in a manual car.

Can you take the theory test in Russian?

Russian is not officially available. The theory exam is taken in Spanish; in some provinces English and French are also offered. Most people prepare in Spanish using DGT Test apps — the questions are standardised and translate well.

How long are Russian driving licences valid in Spain?

While you are a tourist — until it expires. After establishing residency, the law gives a limited window (usually up to 6 months) to switch to a Spanish licence; after that, driving on a Russian licence is not permitted.

Do you need an NIE and residency to get a driver’s licence?

Yes. Only Spanish residents with a registered status and a padrón (local registration) are admitted to the DGT exam. Getting a licence is therefore a step that comes after legalisation.

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Data current as of 2026. DGT rules change periodically — check the latest information at dgt.es or with a driving school before you start. Help with NIE, residency, and status legalisation is available through the SVOY community and partners.