Official structure of the theory exam
The theory exam is governed by the Spanish General Drivers' Regulation (Royal Decree 818/2009 and subsequent amendments). For the B licence and other categories that share the common exam (A1, A2, A, B+E, C1, C, D1, D), the format is exactly 30 multiple-choice questions with three options each, 3 errors maximum to pass and 30 minutes total time. The only exception is the AM (moped) licence: 20 questions, 2 errors max, 20 minutes (figures recorded in our guide; not yet checked against an official DGT source, confirm them in your sitting notice).
Questions come from the official DGT bank, which is updated periodically. Each exam is generated randomly while respecting internal quotas by topic block: signage, priority, speed, alcohol and drugs, mechanics, rules, defensive driving, insurance and others. For the B licence, signage and right of way carry the most weight — they cover between 33 % and 43 % of the exam.
How to book and what it costs
The official DGT fee (tasa 2.1) is €94.05 and entitles you to two sittings of the aptitude tests (see how they are counted in how many times you can sit the DGT tests). Booking goes through your driving school or, if you self-prepare, via the DGT electronic office directly. In both cases you need a valid medical-psychological certificate. Full cost breakdown in how much a driving licence costs in 2026. how to apply without a driving school, step by step.
For the B licence there is no minimum theory-hours requirement with a driving school — only passing the exam. For professional permits (C, D and trailer variants) specific training requirements apply depending on the transport type and age. Check with your driving school or the Provincial Authority when the permit is not B.
Sources: DGT: Requisitos, preparación y presentación a examen · DGT: Solicitud de prueba de aptitud de examen · BOE: Reglamento General de Conductores · DGT exam microdata (2025)
What happens on theory exam day
Arrive at the assigned DGT centre at least 15 minutes before your slot with your original DNI or NIE (copies are not accepted). At the entrance candidates are identified, given the computer access credentials and assigned a seat in the room. Phones, smartwatches, headphones, hats and notes are not allowed — everything goes into individual lockers before entering.
The exam is taken on a computer. On screen one question appears at a time with its three options (a, b, c) and a side panel showing the status of every question — answered, blank, flagged as doubtful. You can answer in any order, skip questions and return to them. Until you press "Submit" you can change any answer. The timer is always visible.
The result appears immediately on screen on submission — pass or fail, with the exact count of right and wrong answers. No paper record is handed over: the result stays in the Authority's system and the driving school retrieves it to process the next step (access to the practical).
Why people fail the theory exam
The most common cause is not lack of study — it's misreading the prompt. The DGT writes questions with decisive keywords: "always", "never", "except", "only", "at least". Missing them flips the correct answer. Second cause: sitting the real exam without enough full timed simulations, which penalises reading speed and topic-block management. Third: switching correct answers during the final review due to self-induced doubt.
For an applied study plan see how to pass the DGT test first time. If you study specifically for the B licence, the most direct path is the car (B-licence) test explained.
Theory exam by permit category
The common format (30 / 3 / 30) holds for almost all categories. What changes between permits is the question bank the system uses to generate the exam. B focuses on car traffic; A1/A2 add motorcycle protection gear and technique; C and D add goods or passenger transport, tachograph and driving-time rules. AM has its own format and bank.
Practise the theory exam now
Exam-style DGT questions, same format (30 / 3 / 30). No signup, free and on any device.
Frequently asked questions about the theory exam
- What is the Spanish DGT theory exam?
- The theory exam is the mandatory knowledge test run by Spain's Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) to obtain a driving permit. It is a multiple-choice test drawn from the DGT question catalogue. For the B licence and most categories it has 30 questions with up to 3 wrong answers allowed in 30 minutes. The only exception is the AM (moped) licence: 20 questions, 2 errors max, 20 minutes (figures recorded in our guide; not yet checked against an official DGT source, confirm them in your sitting notice).
- How much does the DGT theory exam cost?
- The official DGT fee (tasa 2.1) is €94.05 and entitles you to two sittings of the aptitude tests. A failed sitting, in the theory or in the practical, uses one of the two; a pass uses none. After two fails, in the same test or in different tests, you must file a new application and pay the fee again. A pass is kept for 2 years.
- How do I book the DGT theory exam?
- Booking is done through your driving school (autoescuela) or, if you self-prepare, directly via the DGT electronic office. You need the fee paid, a valid medical-psychological certificate and, for the B licence, the minimum mandatory hours completed. The driving school usually arranges the date and assigned centre at the relevant Provincial Traffic Authority.
- What happens on theory exam day?
- Arrive at least 15 minutes before the assigned slot with your original DNI or NIE (no copies). The exam is taken on a computer in an official DGT room; no phones, smartwatches or notes allowed. You have 30 minutes for 30 questions (20 minutes / 20 questions for AM) (figures recorded in our guide; not yet checked against an official DGT source, confirm them in your sitting notice). You can answer in any order, flag doubtful ones and revisit them. The result appears immediately on submission.
- What languages can the theory exam be taken in?
- For the B licence the DGT offers the theory exam in Spanish, Catalan, Galician, Valencian, Basque, English, French and German. You must request the language at registration. For professional permits (C and D) availability is more limited — check your Provincial Authority. At sacatelcarnet you can practise both in Spanish and English with translated exam-style questions.
- What happens if I fail the theory exam?
- If you fail you can re-sit: the first failed sitting leaves the second available; after two fails you must pay a new fee. Check the details with the DGT. There is no minimum statutory gap between attempts, although each driving school and each Authority typically applies a practical 1–2 week interval to reschedule.
- How long is a passed theory exam valid for?
- The theory pass is valid for 2 years. Within that window you must also pass the practical exam. If 2 years pass without a practical pass, the theory expires and must be re-taken (and the fee paid again).
- What is the DGT theory exam pass rate?
- In 2025, according to DGT exam microdata, 50.3% of B-licence theory sittings had a pass result (537,291 passes and 531,286 fails; 1,068,577 sittings). This is a share of sittings, not of candidates, and does not measure how many pass first time. Province data are on the DGT 2025 pass rates page. Province data