Driving permit types
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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
- How many driving permits exist in Spain?
- The DGT manages 15 permits and licences: AM (moped), A1, A2 and A (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).
- 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.