Exchanging a Ukrainian Driving Licence in Spain 2026: canje without an exam

If you arrived in Spain with a Ukrainian driving licence, the big question is whether you can drive on it and how to get a Spanish one. Good news: Ukrainians with temporary protection (protección temporal) can use a simplified exchange — without an exam. But the route depends on your status, and getting it wrong is costly. This guide covers both scenarios: who qualifies for the easy exchange (canje) and who has to take an exam.

Where to start: which route is yours

Before gathering documents, identify your scenario — everything depends on it.

Can you drive while the exchange is in progress?

Yes, with caveats. A valid Ukrainian licence is recognised in Spain while you hold temporary protection — no sworn translation or international permit is required. But once you become a resident, you must complete the exchange to keep driving long-term. Don't put it off: the cita previa (appointment) is the main bottleneck.

Route A: exchange without an exam (temporary protection)

What you'll need

1. Resguardo of the temporary-protection application or its resolution — or the TIE (residence card) under protection
2. The original Ukrainian licence, valid (handed in to the DGT during the exchange)
3. Informe de aptitud psicofísica — from a psicotécnico centre (a medical centre accredited by the DGT)
4. Passport photo, 32 × 26 mm
5. Empadronamiento — your town-hall registration certificate
6. Payment of the DGT fee (Tasa 2.3) — about €28.30, by card at the office

Step-by-step process

1. Take the psicotécnico. Find the nearest centro de reconocimiento de conductores accredited by the DGT. They check vision, hearing and reflexes. It costs €30–50 and takes 20–30 minutes. The centre often sends the report to the DGT electronically.
2. Book the cita previa. At sede.dgt.gob.es (choose "cita canje UA") or by phone on 060. This is the hardest step — slots are often gone; see the mistakes section.
3. Pay the fee. Tasa 2.3 (~€28.30) — online on the DGT site or by card at the office on the day.
4. Go to the Jefatura de Tráfico with the full set of documents. You hand in the original Ukrainian licence.
5. Get the provisional authorisation. On the spot they issue an autorización provisional so you can drive while the plastic card is produced.
6. Wait for the card. The Spanish licence arrives by post, usually within a few weeks.

Route B: via the DGT exam (no temporary protection)

Because Ukraine has no exchange agreement with Spain, without temporary protection the licence is only obtained through an exam — like any new licence from scratch.

What you'll need

1. TIE / NIE — valid resident document
2. Empadronamiento
3. Informe psicotécnico (same as in Route A)
4. Enrolment in an autoescuela (driving school) or self-application to the DGT
5. Payment of the relevant DGT fees (higher than the exchange fee)

How it works

1. Theory exam — 30 questions, up to 3 mistakes allowed. It can be taken in several languages (Spanish, English and others — confirm with the DGT). A Ukrainian-language test is usually not available.
2. Practical exam — driving with a DGT examiner.
3. After passing, your Spanish licence is processed.

Common mistakes

1. Delaying the cita previa. Appointments go instantly. Log in early in the morning and check several Jefaturas in your province.
2. Ignoring the 6-month rule. With a resguardo, an exchange before the 6 months are up won't be accepted — you'll have wasted the trip.
3. An expired Ukrainian licence. Only a valid licence can be exchanged. If it's expired, you're on Route B (exam).
4. An old photo or wrong format. You need 32 × 26 mm and recent.
5. Confusing your route. The costliest mistake is preparing for the canje without being eligible. First, confirm your status (Route A or B).

Useful contacts

• DGT — appointments and general info: phone 060 (Mon–Fri, 9:00–18:00), site sede.dgt.gob.es
• Cita previa canje: sede.dgt.gob.es → "Canje de permisos" → "cita canje UA"
• Ucrania Urgente (Ministry of Inclusion): official information for Ukrainians — ucraniaurgente.inclusion.gob.es
• UNHCR Spain (ACNUR): refugee support on driving and documents — help.unhcr.org/spain
• Psicotécnico: search for a "centro de reconocimiento de conductores" near you (several in every large city)

FAQ

Do I need a sworn translation of my Ukrainian licence? For the temporary-protection exchange, no. The EU special regime waives both the sworn translation and the international permit.

How much does the exchange cost in total? Roughly: DGT Tasa 2.3 ~€28.30 + psicotécnico €30–50 + photo. Around €60–80 in total. The exam route (B) is more expensive because of fees and the driving school.

Can I drive while waiting for the card? Yes — after filing at the DGT you get an autorización provisional during production.

I have the resguardo but fewer than 6 months have passed. What do I do? Wait until 6 months have elapsed since the resguardo's issue date or your verified entry. With a TIE there's no such wait.

My Ukrainian licence is expired. What do I do? An expired licence cannot be exchanged. You'll have to take Route B (the DGT exam).

What language is the exam in (Route B)? The DGT offers the theory in several languages; Ukrainian is usually not among them. Confirm the current list at your Jefatura.

What happens when temporary protection ends? Recognition of the Ukrainian licence lasts as long as temporary protection applies. So it's worth completing the exchange early, without waiting for the status to end.