If you’re planning a holiday in Lanzarote and want to rent a car, you might wonder:
Is my driving licence valid in Spain?
The answer depends on where it was issued — but the rules are clearly defined by Spain’s Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), the official traffic authority.
All information below comes directly from their website
🏛️ What is the DGT?
The Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) is part of Spain’s Ministry of the Interior.
It’s responsible for driving regulations, licences and road safety across Spain.
That means their guidelines are official and legally binding — Spanish traffic police rely on them when checking foreign drivers.
🚗 Driving licences from the EU / EEA
If your licence was issued in a European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) country
(for example: Germany, France, Italy, Croatia, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein),
you can drive freely in Spain, including the Canary Islands, as long as your licence is valid.
📄 No translation or international permit is required.
✅ You just need your original licence and an ID or passport.
🌍 Licences issued outside the EU / EEA
If your licence was issued in a country outside the EU or EEA,
you can drive in Spain as a tourist under the following conditions (according to Article 21 of the Reglamento General de Conductores):
You may drive in Spain for up to 6 months from your entry date.
Your licence must be valid and original (no copies).
It must be written in Latin characters or accompanied by an International Driving Permit (IDP).
If your country is a signatory to the Vienna (1968) or Geneva (1949) Road Traffic Conventions, your licence is recognised for temporary tourist driving.
🌐 Countries whose licences are accepted for tourists
The DGT does not publish a specific list for tourists,
but according to international agreements and bilateral conventions,
licences from the following countries are accepted for temporary driving in Spain (if valid and for stays under six months):
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
🇺🇸 USA
🇨🇦 Canada
🇦🇺 Australia
🇳🇿 New Zealand
🇷🇸 Serbia
🇧🇦 Bosnia and Herzegovina
🇨🇭 Switzerland
🇯🇵 Japan
🇰🇷 South Korea
🇧🇷 Brazil
🇦🇷 Argentina
🇨🇱 Chile
🇲🇦 Morocco
🇺🇦 Ukraine
🇹🇷 Turkey
🇲🇩 Moldova
🇺🇾 Uruguay
…and other countries that are signatories to international traffic conventions.
🪪 When do you need an International Driving Permit (IDP)?
An IDP is recommended if:
Your licence is not in Spanish, English, French or Portuguese,
You come from a non-EU/EEA country, or
The car-rental company specifically requires it.
The IDP is a translation of your national licence and is valid only together with the original.
🏝️ Conclusion
If you’re visiting Lanzarote, driving is one of the best ways to explore the island.
If you’re from the EU/EEA, your licence is fully valid.
If you’re from outside the EU, check whether your country is part of the international road-traffic conventions and consider getting an IDP.
Official reference: Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT)
Discover the best rental cars at the best price with Bissau Car.
Your ideal car in Playa Blanca is waiting for you.
You can book very easily:
– Call us at +34623498224 – the fastest way.
– Visit us at our office in Playa Blanca – we’ll be happy to help you in person.
– Send us an email at reservations@bissaucar.es – we’ll reply as soon as possible.
Yes. Reservations made on BissauCar.com come with special prices and conditions, exclusive to online bookings.
These conditions do not apply to reservations made by phone or at the office.
When you book online, you will receive:
A first email confirming that we have received your request.
A second email confirming or declining the reservation.
💳 Payment is made only at the office, when collecting the vehicle..
No payment is required on the website.
No, at Bissau Car we do not require a deposit.
We want you to enjoy your rental without complications or hidden costs. You only need to present your documentation and pay the rental fee. It’s that simple.
To rent a car with Bissau Car, you only need:
– A valid driver’s license
– An ID card or passport
📌 If you are a resident in Spain, your driver’s license alone is enough.
