Types of driving licence in Spain
Spain has 15 driving permits and licences. For motorcycles, the AM licence (moped) starts at 15, A1 (up to 125 cc) at 16 and A2 (up to 35 kW) at 18. For cars, the B licence starts at 18. Trucks use C1 and C, buses use D1 and D, and each adds its +E variant for towing a heavy trailer.
What each licence drives, and from what age
| Permit | What you can drive | Minimum age |
|---|---|---|
| B | Passenger vehicles up to 3,500 kg and up to 8 passengers besides the driver. | 18 years |
| AM | Mopeds up to 50 cc and light quadricycles. | 15 years |
| A2 | Motorcycles up to 35 kW. | 18 years |
| A1 | Motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW. | 16 years |
| C | Goods vehicles over 3,500 kg. | 21 years |
| C+E | C-category vehicles with trailer or semi-trailer over 750 kg. | 21 years |
| C1 | Goods vehicles between 3,500 kg and 7,500 kg. | 18 years |
| C1+E | C1 combinations with trailers and combinations up to 12,000 kg. | 18 years |
| D | Buses and coaches for more than 8 passengers. | 24 years |
| D1 | Minibuses up to 16 passengers and 8 meters. | 21 years |
| D+E | D bus with trailer over 750 kg. | 24 years |
| D1+E | D1 minibus with trailer over 750 kg. | 21 years |
| B+E | B-category towing vehicle with trailer or semi-trailer up to 3,500 kg. | 18 years |
| LCM | Vehicles intended for people with reduced mobility. | 14 years |
| LVA | Agricultural vehicles within ordinary limits or up to 45 km/h by construction. | 16 years |
Source: DGT - Clases de permisos de conducir. Permit A is not in the table because Annex V of the Reglamento General de Conductores requires no theory knowledge test for permit A.
Spain
Driving permits and licenses in Spain
In Spain, the DGT manages 15 types of driving permits and licenses: AM, A1, A2, B, B+E, C1, C1+E, C, C+E, D1, D1+E, D, D+E, LCM, and LVA. Each category has its own theory exam with different question counts, time limits, and error thresholds. The B license (car) is the most requested, with 30 questions in 30 minutes and a maximum of 3 errors.
For professional permits (C, C+E, D, D+E), the theory exam is split into a common test and a specific test. Additionally, these permits usually require the CAP (Certificate of Professional Competence) to work professionally in goods or passenger transport.
The DGT exam fee is €94.05 for most permits (fee 2.1), €44.58 for LCM and LVA licenses (fee 2.2), and €28.87 for upgrading from A2 to A (fee 2.3). Each fee covers two exam attempts.
Frequently asked questions about driving permits
- Which licence do I need to ride a 125 cc motorcycle?
- The A1 licence, available from age 16. It authorises motorcycles up to 125 cc and 11 kW (15 HP), with a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 0.1 kW/kg, plus motor tricycles up to 15 kW and AM-class mopeds. Its theory exam is 30 questions with a maximum of 3 errors in 30 minutes.
- What can I drive with a B licence?
- Motor vehicles with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) up to 3,500 kg and up to 9 seats including the driver, trailers up to 750 kg MAM, vehicle-plus-trailer combinations not exceeding 4,250 kg total MAM, AM-class mopeds without an additional licence, and tricycles and light quadricycles. The minimum age is 18.
- What is the difference between the A1 and A2 motorcycle licences?
- Power and age. A1 starts at 16 and covers up to 125 cc and 11 kW (15 HP), with a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 0.1 kW/kg. A2 starts at 18 and covers up to 35 kW (47 HP), with a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 0.2 kW/kg, and the motorcycle must not be derived from a vehicle with more than double its power. If you have held A1 for 2 years, A2 requires only the practical exam.
- At what age can you take the AM moped licence?
- At 15, with parental or guardian consent if you are underage. AM authorises two- and three-wheeled mopeds with a maximum speed of 45 km/h and an engine up to 50 cc (or 4 kW if electric), plus light quadricycles up to 45 km/h with an unladen mass up to 425 kg. Its theory exam is the only different one: 20 questions, maximum 2 errors, 20 minutes.
- How many driving permits exist in Spain?
- Fifteen permits and licences have a theory exam of their own: AM (moped), A1 and A2 (motorcycle), B (car), B+E (car with heavy trailer), C1 and C (truck), C1+E and C+E (truck with trailer), D1 and D (bus), D1+E and D+E (bus with trailer), LCM (licence for adapted vehicles for reduced-mobility drivers) and LVA (licence for special agricultural vehicles). Permit A (unrestricted motorcycle) also exists, but Annex V of the Reglamento General de Conductores requires no theory knowledge test to obtain it, so it has no question bank here.
- Which Spanish driving permit do I need?
- Depends on what you want to drive and your age. For a private car, the B licence (18) is the answer for almost everyone. For a motorcycle: AM (15, moped), A1 (16, up to 125 cc), A2 (18, up to 35 kW) or A (20–21, unrestricted). For a truck: C1 or C. For a bus: D1 or D.
- How much does each permit's theory exam cost?
- The official DGT fee (tasa 2.1) is €94.05 and covers the theory plus two practical sittings for most permits. LCM and LVA licences pay tasa 2.2 (€44.58). Upgrading from A2 to A has a specific fee (tasa 2.3, €28.87) since it's an experience-based access. Each fee entitles you to two exam sittings.
- Is the theory exam the same for every permit?
- The common format (30 questions, 3 errors max, 30 minutes) holds for almost all permits. The exception is AM (moped): 20 questions, 2 errors max, 20 minutes. What changes between permits is the question bank: B focuses on car traffic; A1 and A2 add protective gear and motorcycle technique; C and D add professional transport, tachograph and driving-time rules.
- What is the difference between a "permiso" and a "licencia"?
- In official DGT nomenclature, "permiso" applies to AM, A1, A2, A, B, B+E, C1, C, D1, D and their E (trailer) combinations. "Licencia" is reserved for LCM (adapted vehicles for reduced-mobility drivers) and LVA (special agricultural vehicles). In everyday speech both words are used as synonyms, but administratively the distinction matters for the fee, the medical check and the vehicle types authorised.
- Can I obtain several permits at once?
- Yes. It is common to obtain the B (car) first and then an A1 or A2 (motorcycle) when accessed by age or experience. Some permits are obtained "by conversion" from others — for example, A can be obtained from A2 after 2 years' seniority via a short course and simplified test (tasa 2.3). Professional categories (C and D) require their own full theory and practical exams each.