What is the minimum age for the D bus licence?

The general minimum age for the Spanish D licence is 24 with the passenger CAP. With accelerated CAP, you can access restricted tasks from age 21 — only in national territory and with limitations on regular routes. For specific regular school services some European countries allow it from 18, but in Spain the professional minimum is 21 with restricted accelerated CAP. You must already hold a valid B licence.

What does the D licence authorise, and how does it differ from D1?

The D licence authorises buses with more than 8 seats (driver excluded), no passenger limit — long-distance, urban, regular school, intercity buses. Also permits a light trailer (up to 750 kg). D1 is the limited version: vehicles up to 16 seats (driver excluded), max 8-metre length. D1 minimum age: 21. Most professional passenger drivers go straight to D because D1 limits the bus types available in the job market.

How many questions does the D theory exam have?

Same as C: two separate tests. Common test (30 questions / 3 errors / 30 minutes) — shares syllabus with the B and updates if more than 10 years have passed. Specific test (20 questions / 3 errors / 30 minutes) — passenger transport blocks: passenger safety and rules, reduced-mobility accessibility, tachograph, driving and rest periods, bus mechanics, stop regulations, emergency behaviour with passengers. Both tests must be passed in the same sitting.

How much does the D licence cost in Spain?

Request itemised quotes separating enrolment, theory, medical certificate, lessons, exam administration and extras. Check lesson duration and each package’s inclusions. Confirm the applicable fee separately with the DGT and calculate the total using your quote amounts.

What is the D practical exam like?

Two tests. First, closed-circuit manoeuvres with a real bus: reversing in straight and curve with a long vehicle (more demanding than truck due to bus length), parallel parking flush with the kerb, controlled braking and hill-start. Second, on-road test for 45–60 minutes in real traffic with the examiner on board. Specifically evaluated: anticipating the vehicle's wide movements, stop management (approaching the kerb at the right distance), use of panoramic mirrors and moderate cornering speed with awareness of the high centre of gravity.

Do I need B-licence experience before the D?

Yes. To access the D licence you need a valid B licence — no direct access from scratch. Some driving schools require a minimum of 1–2 years of B experience before enrolling in the D, not by legal requirement but for the complexity of handling a bus in real traffic. If you already hold a C (truck) licence, D training is somewhat faster because you already share many concepts: tachograph, driving and rest periods, large-vehicle anticipation.

D vs D+E: when to step up to trailer?

D+E authorises buses with a heavy trailer (> 750 kg) — articulated buses or buses with luggage trailer on international tour lines. To get D+E you must already hold a valid D with minimum experience. It is a very specific category: most urban or intercity professional drivers do not need it. Only international-line drivers with trailer or special articulated buses (rare in Spain) apply for it.

How to pass the Spanish D bus licence 2026

D bus licence	Official DGT figure
Min. age (with CAP)	24
Min. age (accelerated CAP)	21
Prerequisite	Valid B licence
Vehicles authorised	Buses > 8 seats + light trailer (750 kg)
Common theory	30 questions / 3 errors / 30 min
Specific theory	20 questions / 3 errors / 30 min
Practical	Circuit + 45–60 min on-road with bus

Why D directly instead of D1

D1 (bus up to 16 seats, 8 metres max) seriously limits the job market. Most urban, regular school and long-distance buses exceed those dimensions. Three cases where D1 makes sense: 1) work in adapted transport or company minibus, 2) tourism operation with a minibus up to 16 seats, 3) age 21–23 when you can't yet access the ordinary D.

For a standard professional driver (urban, regular school, long distance), going straight to D is the most cost-effective. Full comparison in D1 vs D: which to get.

D theory exam: common + passenger

Like the C, the D requires passing TWO theory tests in the same sitting. The common one (30 questions / 3 errors / 30 minutes) reviews general syllabus. The specific one (20 questions / 3 errors / 30 minutes) covers passenger transport: passenger safety, reduced-mobility accessibility rules, stop and boarding/alighting management, emergency behaviour (evacuation, fire, accident with passengers on board), digital tachograph and EU Regulation 561/2006 on driving and rest times applied to passenger transport.

The block generating most errors in the D specific theory is accessibility and passenger safety regulation — concrete details (fire-extinguisher location, wheelchair-ramp rules, urban standing-passenger limits) that you don't learn driving a car. Recommended plan: 4–5 weeks of study, with 1 week dedicated exclusively to accessibility and emergencies.

The practical: driving a bus is different

Three critical differences vs the truck: 1) longitudinal dimension — a standard bus is 12–13 metres vs 8–9 metres for a typical rigid truck; reversing and curve manoeuvres are significantly more demanding; 2) centre-of-gravity height and elevated passenger position amplifies the effect of any abrupt turn — the examiner penalises aggressive driving more; 3) responsibility for passengers — the examiner specifically evaluates stop planning (signalling in time, approaching the kerb at 30–40 cm max, progressive departure without lurches).

Common exam errors: approaching the stop too far from the kerb (penalised for accessibility), not correctly using panoramic mirrors on lane changes, hard braking (dangerous with standing passengers) and underestimating the turn angle at narrow intersections. Lessons focus on these points during the minimum 8–12 real-bus practical sessions.

Passenger CAP: essential to work

The passenger CAP is distinct from the freight CAP (truck) — they share common modules but specific blocks differ. Without passenger CAP you cannot drive a bus professionally in public transport: regular urban lines, intercity, long-distance, regular school, discretionary, tourism. Ordinary CAP: 280 hours with access from age 24. Accelerated CAP: 140 hours from age 21 with restricted tasks (no regular passenger lines). Renewal every 5 years with a 35-hour course.

Request an itemised passenger CAP quote stating the format, timetable and additional charges. If an employer offers training or funding, confirm its written terms before deciding.

Quote for the D licence

Compare the licence quote separately from any CAP training relevant to your case. Check included services, lessons and additional charges; do not count combined-package inclusions twice. Use your own amounts in the guide to comparing quotes.

Start the D-licence theory

Exam-style question bank for the D licence: common test + passenger transport, tachograph and accessibility blocks. No signup.

Start the D simulation

Compare D1 vs D Full D syllabus

Frequently asked questions about the D licence

What is the minimum age for the D bus licence?: The general minimum age for the Spanish D licence is 24 with the passenger CAP. With accelerated CAP, you can access restricted tasks from age 21 — only in national territory and with limitations on regular routes. For specific regular school services some European countries allow it from 18, but in Spain the professional minimum is 21 with restricted accelerated CAP. You must already hold a valid B licence.
What does the D licence authorise, and how does it differ from D1?: The D licence authorises buses with more than 8 seats (driver excluded), no passenger limit — long-distance, urban, regular school, intercity buses. Also permits a light trailer (up to 750 kg). D1 is the limited version: vehicles up to 16 seats (driver excluded), max 8-metre length. D1 minimum age: 21. Most professional passenger drivers go straight to D because D1 limits the bus types available in the job market.
How many questions does the D theory exam have?: Same as C: two separate tests. Common test (30 questions / 3 errors / 30 minutes) — shares syllabus with the B and updates if more than 10 years have passed. Specific test (20 questions / 3 errors / 30 minutes) — passenger transport blocks: passenger safety and rules, reduced-mobility accessibility, tachograph, driving and rest periods, bus mechanics, stop regulations, emergency behaviour with passengers. Both tests must be passed in the same sitting.
What is the passenger CAP and why do I need it?: The passenger CAP (Certificate of Professional Aptitude) is the mandatory training to drive buses professionally in public transport. It is distinct from the freight CAP (covers cargo transport, not people) — they share common modules but specific blocks differ. Without passenger CAP you cannot work as a bus driver on regular lines, school transport, discretionary or tourism. Two formats: ordinary (280 hours, from age 24) or accelerated (140 hours, from age 21 with restricted tasks). Renewal every 5 years with a 35-hour course (continuous CAP).
How much does the D licence cost in Spain?: Request itemised quotes separating enrolment, theory, medical certificate, lessons, exam administration and extras. Check lesson duration and each package’s inclusions. Confirm the applicable fee separately with the DGT and calculate the total using your quote amounts.
What is the D practical exam like?: Two tests. First, closed-circuit manoeuvres with a real bus: reversing in straight and curve with a long vehicle (more demanding than truck due to bus length), parallel parking flush with the kerb, controlled braking and hill-start. Second, on-road test for 45–60 minutes in real traffic with the examiner on board. Specifically evaluated: anticipating the vehicle's wide movements, stop management (approaching the kerb at the right distance), use of panoramic mirrors and moderate cornering speed with awareness of the high centre of gravity.
Do I need B-licence experience before the D?: Yes. To access the D licence you need a valid B licence — no direct access from scratch. Some driving schools require a minimum of 1–2 years of B experience before enrolling in the D, not by legal requirement but for the complexity of handling a bus in real traffic. If you already hold a C (truck) licence, D training is somewhat faster because you already share many concepts: tachograph, driving and rest periods, large-vehicle anticipation.
D vs D+E: when to step up to trailer?: D+E authorises buses with a heavy trailer (> 750 kg) — articulated buses or buses with luggage trailer on international tour lines. To get D+E you must already hold a valid D with minimum experience. It is a very specific category: most urban or intercity professional drivers do not need it. Only international-line drivers with trailer or special articulated buses (rare in Spain) apply for it.

How to pass the Spanish D bus licence in 2026