If you want to exchange your military driver's license, the process is simple, although you must meet certain requirements, from adhering to deadlines to being of the minimum age. Any type of driver's license obtained from a military school or organization can be exchanged for a civilian one , with the exception of the F license , which has no equivalent because it is for motorized vehicles of the Armed Forces.
The process of exchanging a military ID card does not require any course . It is a simple procedure that involves paying a fee of €28 (price updated in 2018) and demonstrating that you meet the requirements. This article details those requirements and the steps you must take, as well as answering frequently asked questions about the process.
Requirements to redeem the military driver's license
Deadlines
To exchange your military driver's license, the first thing you need to check is whether you're still within the deadline. You must currently be serving in a military branch or organization , or at least no more than six months can have passed since you left the military.
Minimum age
Within the military, it's possible to obtain certain licenses before reaching the minimum age required for a civilian driver's license. This means that if you want to exchange your military driver's license, you'll have to wait until you reach the minimum age.
Don't worry about missing the six-month deadline after leaving the military if you're not old enough, because that period starts from the moment you leave the military or from the moment you reach the required age . In other words, if you leave the military at 23 and have to wait until you're 24 to exchange your D+E license, the six months to do so will start from when you turn 24, not 23. The article " Types of Driving Licenses in Spain" lists all the required ages for each license.
Place of residence
You must have your normal residence in Spain . That is, the place where you stay for at least 185 days in each calendar year must be in Spain, due to personal ties, such as family, and professional ties, such as military service.
If the place of your professional ties is different from that of your personal ties, or what is the same, that your work forces you to be in another country separated from your family, the place of your personal ties will be considered your normal residence. In addition, if you are on a mission outside of Spain, it will not count as a change of residence outside the country.
Valid military permit
Your military service card must be valid . If it isn't, you'll need to renew it as soon as possible, keeping in mind the applicable deadlines. Furthermore, as the regulations specify: "You cannot be deprived by court order of the right to drive motor vehicles or mopeds, nor be subject to suspension or intervention of the right you possess."
Steps to redeem military driver's license
Gather the documentation
- El ID o Valid passport.
- La Application call Driver Procedures, what can you download at headquarters or get it at the Traffic Headquarters itself. It is important that when you fill it out, you indicate all the permissions you have (except F) in the corresponding space.
- It's not exactly documentation, but keep in mind that you'll need 28 Euros to pay the fee (price updated in 2018).
- Un Psychophysical aptitude report for which you will have to go to an authorized Driver Recognition Center. Just like when you get your license for the first time or when you renew it.
- An photography current 32 x 26 mm with a plain background, in which you must appear from the front without anything that covers your face, such as bangs or sunglasses that cover your eyes. This photo will be pasted on a photo heel that you will have to sign.
- El military driver's license along with a photocopy of the same. Once the process is finished, your military card will be returned to you.
- An certification that proves that you are on active military duty, or if it is not so, that proves the date you stopped serving.
Request an appointment at a Traffic Headquarters
All procedures at a traffic office require an appointment, except for paying fines. To pay fines, you must call 060 or use the DGT's online portal . If you choose to do it online, we recommend following these steps:
Go to the DGT's electronic headquarters and click on Appointment for Procedures.
Click on Request an appointment at offices.
Choose the province and the type of procedure you want to carry out. IMPORTANT : Although it may seem contradictory, do not choose Driving License Exchanges because it will redirect you to exchange licenses from other countries. Instead, select Office Procedures.
Then choose the first option it gives you: Area: Drivers / Vehicles , which is where they actually handle exchanges for military personnel, Civil Guards and Police officers.
From here, the process is the same as any other procedure. They will ask for your information and let you choose a day and time . If you have any questions, you can consult the article How to book an appointment at the DGT (Spanish Traffic Authority).
Go to the appointment and pay the Fee
Go to the Traffic Headquarters indicated on the date and time you were given. Don't forget the documents detailed above and bring a credit or debit card to pay the €28 fee (updated in 2018). Important : The Traffic Headquarters does not accept cash.
You can also pay in advance online through the website provided by the DGT or in cash at financial institutions using form 791. However, these methods are much less convenient than paying on-site with a card.