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Exchanging driving licences in Tenerife is a very important process for those settling in the Canary Islands. Having a valid driving licence recognised by the local authorities facilitates mobility and integration into everyday life. In this article, we will explain the requirements, the procedure and practical tips to successfully complete this procedure.
Which countries can exchange driving licences in Tenerife?
The complexity of the exchange depends directly on the country from which you want to exchange your driving licence. There are three situations depending on your country of origin:
1. Exchange of licences from the EU or European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway).
Driving licences issued in any member country of the European Union and the European Economic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) are valid for driving in Spain as long as they have not expired or been revoked for any reason. Even so, having a Spanish driving licence makes bureaucracy much easier for certain procedures if you plan to live in Spain for a long period of time.
2. Exchange of licences from countries with agreements
Spain has agreements with several countries at international level that greatly facilitate the exchange, as no additional tests are required (Switzerland, Andorra, Korea, Japan, United Kingdom…). In addition, other countries have agreements for which, in some cases, additional tests are required but which greatly facilitate the process (Argentina, Chile, Brazil, El Salvador…).
Click here to see the full list.
3. Exchange of licences from countries without an agreement
Holders of driving licences from countries without an agreement will have to obtain their driving licence in Spain from 0.
Procedure for the exchange of driving licences in Tenerife
- Driving Licence Exchange Appointment Request:
First, you must request a specific appointment for the ‘Canje de Permiso de Conduje’. Make sure you select this option correctly. Once you have made your request, you will be assigned an appointment at our offices for a specific day.
Whether you submit your documents in person or online, it is essential that you make this appointment. This step begins the process of verifying the equivalence and authenticity of the driving licences you wish to exchange with your country of origin. In order to proceed with the exchange, it is necessary for the authorities of the issuing country to confirm the validity of your licence. For this reason, the process may take some time to complete.
- Confirmation of the exchange:
Once you have verified on our website that your country has confirmed the exchange of your permit, you can proceed with the processing. The confirmation is considered valid if the status of your application appears as: ‘CONTESTED’.
- The possible statuses of the procedure are:
PENDING: No response has yet been received from the issuing country.
ANSWERED: The applicant may be attended to on the day indicated, although this does not guarantee that the exchange will be granted.
REJECTED: The issuing country has no details of the applicant.
The pending appointment information will be updated on this page. Information on past appointments will not be displayed.
- Submission of Required Documentation:
Once you have confirmed your eligibility to exchange, you will need to submit the required documentation. You can do this in person on the day of the appointment assigned in the first step, bringing all the required information.
If all the documentation is correct and your exchange does not require additional proof, you will be given a receipt for your new Spanish licence. This receipt will allow you to drive until you receive your new licence at your home address.
- Additional Testing:
If the exchange requires the completion of an additional test, either theoretical, practical or both, you must request an appointment for these tests. Once the tests have been passed, go to your local Traffic Office with an appointment to hand in your foreign licence and receive a receipt for your new Spanish licence. This receipt will allow you to drive until you receive the definitive licence at your home address.
Exchanging a foreign driving licence in Tenerife is a crucial step for residents wishing to drive legally in Spain. Knowing the requirements and following the correct procedure can facilitate this process and ensure that you can enjoy driving on this beautiful island without legal inconvenience. It is always advisable to stay informed and prepared for any eventuality during the process.
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