Journal
Driving Without a Spanish Licence on Costa Blanca North
By Elia Living ·
Can you drive on your home licence in Spain?
The answer depends on where your licence was issued — and whether you are a visitor or a registered resident.
EU and EEA holders (Dutch, German, Polish, French…) A valid EU/EEA licence is recognised in Spain for as long as it remains valid in your home country. No exchange, no paperwork — just drive. The one catch is an unusual licence: if yours carries indefinite validity, or is valid for more than 15 years in the car and motorbike categories (AM, A, B) or more than five years for commercial categories (C, D), you must swap it for a Spanish licence within two years of establishing ordinary residence. Most Dutch, German, and Polish licences carry fixed expiry dates, so for the vast majority of buyers in Jávea, Moraira, or Dénia, no action is needed.
UK licence holders Post-Brexit, a UK licence is treated as a non-EU document. You may drive on it for up to six months from the date you register on Spain's padrón municipal (the local census). The clock starts at your empadronamiento date, not the day you landed. After six months as a registered resident, you must exchange it.
The reassuring news: Spain and the UK signed a bilateral exchange agreement that came into force in March 2023. No theory test, no practical driving test — just an administrative swap at the DGT.
Visitors and holiday owners If you are not a registered resident, your valid foreign licence remains fully usable throughout your stay. Non-EU visitors may carry an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside their national licence for added clarity if stopped, though an IDP is not a standalone document.
Exchanging your licence at the DGT Alicante
Costa Blanca North residents deal with the Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico in Alicante city for all exchange applications. The process runs in five steps:
Psicotécnico medical test — Book at any authorised Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores. The test covers eyesight, reaction time, and a brief health check. Cost: roughly €30–50. The certificate is valid for only three months, so time it close to your DGT appointment.
Gather your documents — NIE card (EU citizens) or TIE (non-EU), valid passport, your original driving licence, current empadronamiento certificate, two passport photos, and a sworn translation if your licence is not in the Roman alphabet.
Book a DGT appointment — Visit the DGT's online portal (sede.dgt.gob.es), select Canje de permisos de conducir extranjeros, and choose the Alicante Jefatura. Book several weeks ahead as slots fill up.
Attend in person — The officer verifies your documents and retains your original licence. You receive a temporary paper autorización provisional that lets you drive legally while you wait.
Receive your Spanish licence by post — Typically within one to three months. Keep the autorización in the car until it arrives.
The standard exchange fee (no tests required) is €28.87. If your country has no bilateral agreement with Spain, you will need to enrol at a Spanish autoescuela and pass both the theory and practical exams before an exchange is possible.
Public transport between the Costa Blanca North towns
Two networks cover the main corridors between Jávea, Moraira, Dénia, Calpe, Altea, and Alicante.
FGV coastal railway (Line L9)
The Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) operates a metric-gauge railway from Alicante all the way to Dénia. Running as an electrified tram-train through Alicante and Benidorm, it continues north as a diesel service through El Albir, Altea, Calpe, Gata de Gorgos, and on to Dénia. Through-service without replacement buses was restored in 2023 after an extended period of infrastructure works. For those living between Altea and Dénia, it is a scenic, comfortable way to reach Alicante city or Benidorm for a day out.
Jávea (Xàbia) lies off the main coastal rail corridor; Gata de Gorgos is the nearest station, a short taxi or car ride from the town centre. Moraira is also off the line — Calpe is the nearest connected point.
ALSA intercity buses
ALSA is the backbone for towns not directly on the rail line and for connections the train does not conveniently cover.
| Route | Approx. journey | Typical fare |
|---|---|---|
| Dénia ↔ Jávea ↔ Calpe | 30–50 min each leg | Several daily departures |
| Jávea ↔ Alicante (via Benissa, Calpe, Altea) | ~2 h | ~€10–14 |
| Dénia ↔ Alicante | ~1 h 30 min | More frequent; ~€8–12 |
| Calpe ↔ Alicante | ~1 h 15 min | Stops at Altea and Alfaz |
Moraira has no standalone scheduled service; the nearest hubs are Teulada or Calpe, a short taxi ride away.
The airport run from each town
Alicante–Elche Airport (ALC) is the primary gateway for almost all Costa Blanca North arrivals. ALSA runs a direct service from the airport bus stop on Level 2 (departures hall) to Altea, Calpe, Benissa, Teulada, Benitachell, Jávea, and Dénia — no change needed.
| Destination | Approx. journey | Approx. fare |
|---|---|---|
| Altea | ~45 min | ~€6 |
| Calpe | ~1 h | ~€8–10 |
| Jávea (Xàbia) | ~1 h 30 min | ~€12–15 |
| Dénia | ~1 h 40 min | ~€13–16 |
Fares and times vary by season and day of week; check alsa.com for current schedules. Online tickets are often cheaper than buying at the terminal.
Evening and Sunday services run at reduced frequency, so a pre-booked transfer is often the sensible choice for late arrivals. Airport taxis to Jávea or Dénia typically run €90–130 depending on traffic; private transfer companies offer fixed-rate alternatives that can be comparable, especially for groups.
Valencia Airport (VLC) is worth checking if your airline flies there: ALSA operates a direct service to Dénia via Gandia, roughly two hours, making it a practical gateway for the northern end of Costa Blanca North.
Practical tips for new residents
- Act before your deadline. UK and other non-EU licence holders must exchange within six months of padrón registration. Driving after that window can void your car insurance — a far costlier outcome than the €28.87 exchange fee.
- Carry your paperwork. While waiting for your Spanish licence to arrive by post, keep your DGT application receipt and temporary autorización provisional in the vehicle at all times.
- Use the ALSA app. Current timetables and online tickets in one place; prices are sometimes cheaper online than at the ticket counter.
- Taxis and Bolt. Inter-town taxis are metered. Jávea to Moraira runs roughly €25–35; Dénia to Jávea approximately €20–30. Bolt operates in the province, though coverage is thinner in smaller urbanisations.
- Verify your country's agreement status. The DGT updates its bilateral exchange list periodically. Always confirm at dgt.es before assuming a test-free swap applies to your licence.
Frequently asked questions
Q: Can I drive in Spain on my Dutch, German, or Polish licence without exchanging it? A: Yes. EU licences are valid in Spain while they are valid at home under EU Directive 2006/126/EC. The only exception is an indefinite-validity or unusually long-validity licence, which must be exchanged within two years of establishing ordinary residence.
Q: When does my six-month driving window start as a UK licence holder in Spain? A: From the date of your empadronamiento registration on the padrón municipal — not from when you arrived in Spain.
Q: Does exchanging a UK licence require a driving test in Spain? A: No. The Spain–UK bilateral agreement in force since March 2023 allows a direct administrative swap. You need a psicotécnico medical report and your original DVLA licence, but no theory or practical test.
Q: Is there a direct bus from Alicante Airport to Jávea and Dénia? A: Yes. ALSA runs a direct service from the airport bus stop (Level 2, departures hall) to Jávea and Dénia via Benissa, Teulada, and Benitachell. Journey time is roughly 1 h 30 min to Jávea and 1 h 40 min to Dénia.
Q: Does the Alicante tram or train reach the Costa Blanca North towns? A: The FGV Line L9 runs from Alicante through Benidorm, Altea, Calpe, and Gata de Gorgos all the way to Dénia. Jávea town centre and Moraira are not on the rail line; the nearest station to Jávea is Gata de Gorgos.
Q: What if I drive on an expired foreign entitlement in Spain? A: You risk an on-the-spot fine and, more critically, your car insurance may be voided for driving without a valid licence. Exchange before the deadline — the fee and paperwork are minimal compared to the risks.