B license in Spain: requirements, what car you can drive, and exam

The B license is designed for passenger cars and light vehicles and has a minimum age of 18 years. Before enrolling, confirm that this is the category you actually need, because many mistakes start with preparing for a license that does not cover the real vehicle you want to drive.

Beyond age, you must pass the medical check at an authorized center, prepare the relevant theory, and pass the practical part. If the license requires a valid B license or family consent because you are underage, sort that out before paying enrolment so your application is not blocked.

Keep a copy of the requirements that apply to you and review them before booking the exam. It sounds administrative, but it can prevent losing weeks because of an expired certificate, pending authorization, or the wrong category choice.

The main authorization covers vehicles up to 3,500 kg and up to 8 passengers besides the driver. In practical terms, the license works when the vehicle fits those technical limits, not simply when the commercial name sounds right.

It may also include trailers up to 750 kg MAM, vehicle-and-trailer combinations not exceeding 4,250 kg total MAM, AM mopeds, tricycles, and light quadricycles. Always check the vehicle documents, MAM, power, or vehicle type when there is any doubt, because the license applies by category and limits, not by intuition.

When comparing vehicles, look at the technical data and not only at everyday use. Two similar vehicles may require different licenses because of weight, power, seats, trailer, or professional purpose.

The B license does not cover trucks over 3,500 kg, buses for more than 8 passengers, motorcycles that require A1 or A2, or heavy trailers that require B+E. This matters because many license searches mix similar vehicles, trailers, passengers, or professional uses.

If your case is close to the limit, do not improvise: take the vehicle documents to the driving school or check with DGT before driving. Studying that difference also helps in the exam, because questions often use scenarios with weights, seats, power, or road type.

This limit also protects you from penalties and from buying incomplete training. If you know from the start what is outside the license, you can decide whether you need another permit now or whether this one is enough for your immediate goal.

Theory preparation is organized around the common B theory test: 30 multiple-choice questions, 3 options, a maximum of 3 mistakes, and 30 minutes. Study the rule first and then take full tests; that way you do not turn learning into memorising isolated answers without understanding the traffic situation.

The practical part consists of a practical road test on open roads, where observation, safety, priority, lane changes, parking, and response to real signs are assessed. During lessons, ask for specific corrections: observation, road position, anticipation, braking, use of controls, and safety before each manoeuvre. That list is more useful than only counting how many lessons you have taken.

For theory, work by topic blocks and finish with full mock exams. For practice, ask to rehearse situations that resemble the test: starts, merging, turns, direction changes, stops, manoeuvres, and awareness of the surroundings.

For B there are useful cost references: the DGT exam fee is EUR 94.05, the medical test is usually around EUR 35-60, each practical lesson may be around EUR 30-50, and the total B license cost is often approximately EUR 700-1,500.

To compare properly, ask for a breakdown: enrolment, materials, administration, fees, medical test, lesson price, real lesson duration, vehicle use for the exam, and renewal or retake costs. The cheapest option at the start may not be cheapest if it hides items or if lessons are shorter.

Also write down what each payment includes and what happens if you fail. Knowing the price of a new fee, another lesson, exam vehicle use, or file renewal lets you estimate the real cost without surprises.

The most common mistakes are memorising signs without understanding priority, leaving safe distance topics until the end, and reaching the practical test without automating the observation-mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine. Alcohol limits, points, novice-driver rules, lights, and tyres are also worth reviewing because they appear often in DGT-style tests.

A reasonable plan is to alternate theory, tests, and mistake review from the first week. When you miss a question, write down the exact reason: you did not know the rule, read too fast, confused a sign, or missed the key detail. That review prevents repeated mistakes on the official day.

Before taking the exam, review your latest mistakes and look for patterns. If most come from reading too fast, train calm reading; if they come from one rule, return to the theory; if they come from practice, ask for one lesson focused only on that manoeuvre.

Yes, as long as the vehicle stays within the B limits: up to 3,500 kg MAM and up to 8 passengers besides the driver. If the weight or vehicle category exceeds those limits, B is no longer enough.

The B theory test has 30 questions and you may make a maximum of 3 mistakes. Use full 30-minute mock exams so you get used to the real pace, not only isolated questions.

For the first 2 years you are a novice driver, you start with 8 points, and you must display the L sign at the rear. The maximum alcohol level is 0.15 mg/L in breath, lower than the general limit.