Driving licence lost in Spain: applying for a duplicate

A lost or stolen driving licence is annoying, but in Spain it's no bureaucratic nightmare – as long as you know which authority is responsible and what fee applies. The Spanish traffic authority DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) issues a duplicate in cases of loss, theft or heavy wear, which retains the same period of validity as your original document. Requirement: your driving licence must still be valid at the time of application, otherwise you'll need a renewal instead. In this guide you'll learn which four channels the DGT offers, what the duplicate costs, which documents are needed depending on your residency situation, and how long you're allowed to drive with the provisional licence until the final document arrives by post.

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When do you need a duplicate – and when a conversion?

These two procedures are often confused, even though they concern different situations. The duplicate (duplicado) is simply a replacement for your existing document in cases of loss, theft or damage – it changes neither the category nor the period of validity. The conversion (canje), on the other hand, converts a foreign driving licence into a Spanish document and becomes relevant for residents once the licence expires, or at the latest two years after taking up residence if the licence is valid indefinitely.

Note: If your driving licence has already expired, you cannot apply for a duplicate – in that case a renewal (renovación) is required. You can find out more about conversion and deadlines in the guide Converting your driving licence.

Requirements: what the DGT checks before every application

Before using any channel, you should clarify three points: Is your driving licence still valid? Is your data already registered in Spain (for example because you've previously converted a licence or obtained one in Spain)? And is it a case of loss/theft (in which case you don't need the original licence) or wear/change of details (in which case you must submit the old document)?

Please note: In the case of theft, you should also file a report (denuncia) with the Policía Nacional or Guardia Civil. While this isn't strictly required for the DGT procedure itself in every case, it is recommended and important in case third parties misuse your document.

Step by step: How to apply for your duplicate

1. Check whether your driving licence is still valid. If it has expired, you apply for a renewal instead.
2. In case of theft or loss: File a report with the Policía Nacional or Guardia Civil and keep the copy.
3. Pay Tasa 4.4 (in the case of an online or telephone application, pay in advance via the Sede Electrónica of the DGT), note down the Tasa number.
4. Choose a channel: online with a digital certificate, via the miDGT app, by phone on 060, or in person with a Cita previa at a Jefatura de Tráfico.
5. For an in-person appointment: bring the application form, proof of identity, the original driving licence if applicable, and the payment receipt.
6. Receive the provisional driving licence – it is handed to you directly at the counter.
7. Wait for the final document, which will be sent by post to your registered address.

Four channels compared: Online, app, phone, Jefatura

Note: Representation is possible if you authorise another person via the Registro de apoderamientos or hand them the signed official DGT form „Otorgamiento de representación“. When booking the appointment, both your DNI/NIE and that of the authorised person must be provided.

Cost: Tasa 4.4 and further fees

The fee for the duplicate is always payable regardless of the reason (loss, theft or damage) – only in the case of a pure data change (e.g. name change into the official language of the autonomous region or due to a gender change) does the Tasa not apply.

Note: The official DGT pages do not always show the current Tasa 4.4 amount as a fixed value, as it can be adjusted regularly. Some older sources also state differing amounts (e.g. around €18) – what always applies is the Tasa 4.4 published on the DGT website at the time of payment. Never pay the fee in cash at a Jefatura, but by card, bank transfer or online.

Required documents depending on the situation

Which documents you need depends on whether your data is already stored in Spain – i.e. whether you have already held or exchanged a Spanish driving licence before.

According to the DGT, a current photo (32 x 26 mm) is only needed for certain licences, not generally for every driving licence duplicate – if in doubt, clarify this directly at the counter or during your cita previa.

The provisional driving licence: what you're allowed to do with it

As soon as you've completed your application in person at the Jefatura, you immediately receive a provisional driving licence (permiso provisional), which corresponds to your original.

Please note: With the provisional driving licence you're only permitted to drive within Spain – it's not sufficient for trips abroad. It's valid for up to 6 months, until the final document arrives.

The final duplicate is sent to your registered address after an average of around one and a half months, without you needing to visit another office for this. If you haven't received the document after this period, the DGT recommends contacting the Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores where you last applied, so that the authority can re-initiate the dispatch.

Special cases: registration in Spain and residence abroad

Your data isn't yet stored in Spain: This typically affects new residents who have never exchanged their German driving licence. In this case you need an extract from the driving licence register – for EU card driving licences, this is issued by the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt. The document must be translated; alternatively, according to information from the Consulate General in Barcelona, the Spanish authority also accepts a fee-based certificate from the consulate.

You hold an EU/EEA driving licence and habitually reside in Spain: In this case, in the event of theft, loss or damage, you can apply for a "sustitución" at the DGT offices – you'll be issued a new document equivalent to your original one.

You hold a Spanish driving licence but now live in another EU country (including as a student for at least six months): In this case you must apply for the duplicate in your current country of residence, not in Spain. Contact the relevant national authority there.

ADR driving licence (dangerous goods transport): A separate, distinct procedure applies here, with its own Tasa (4.5).

If you also want to re-register your vehicle or drive with Spanish number plates at the same time, it's worth taking a look at our guides on Registering a car in Spain and Foreign number plates.

Most common mistakes when applying for a duplicate

• Forgetting to pay Tasa 4.4 before submitting the online or telephone application – without a Tasa number, the process stops.
• Trying to duplicate an expired instead of a valid driving licence – a renewal is needed instead in this case.
• Not filing a report with the police even though the driving licence was stolen – this makes later claims in cases of misuse more difficult.
• Travelling abroad with the provisional driving licence – it is valid only within Spain.
• Wanting to pay in cash at the Jefatura – on site, the DGT only accepts card payment.
• Not handing in the old driving licence after finding it – if you find your original again later, you must submit it at the next Jefatura u Oficina de Tráfico.

What comes next?

As soon as you receive your final duplicate, check the details carefully (name, licence categories, validity period) and keep a copy separate from the original. Also use the app miDGT to store your driving licence digitally – within Spain, the digital document has the same legal validity as the physical one. If you will need to carry out a conversion (canje) in the coming years anyway, because your German driving licence is unlimited and the two-year deadline as a resident is approaching, inform yourself in good time in the guide on Converting your driving licence. Also remember that your vehicle must regularly undergo the ITV – details on this in the guide ITV (TÜV).

Checklist: Driving licence lost in Spain

Conclusion

A lost or stolen driving licence in Spain can be replaced without hassle through the DGT, as long as your document is still valid. According to the DGT information sheet, the fee is approximately 20.81 euros (Tasa 4.4, check the current amount before paying), you can choose between four channels, and if you apply in person you immediately receive a provisional licence for the interim period. The most important thing is to gather the correct documents depending on your residence situation and, in the case of theft, not to forget to file a police report. Anyone unsure whether a duplicate or a licence exchange is the right procedure in their particular case should seek personal advice beforehand.

Official sources

• DGT – Duplicate of the driving licence due to damage, loss or theft: https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/permisos-de-conducir/obtencion-y-gestion-de-permisos/duplicado-de-permisos/
• DGT – Duplicate due to damage, loss, theft or change of details: https://www.dgt.es/nuestros-servicios/permisos-de-conducir/ha-caducado-o-necesitas-una-copia-de-tu-permiso/duplicado-por-deterioro-perdida-robo-o-cambio-de-datos/
• DGT – Find out about all procedures (overview of driving licence procedures): https://www.dgt.es/nuestros-servicios/conoce-todos-los-tramites/
• DGT – Information sheet "Duplicado de autorizaciones para conducir" (German, PDF): https://sede.dgt.gob.es/.galleries/hojas-informativas/conductores/08/08-Duplicado-de-autorizaciones-para-conducir_DE.pdf
• DGT – Cita previa (appointment booking): https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/otros-tramites/cita-previa/
• German Federal Foreign Office / German Embassy Spain – Loss or theft of identity documents: https://spanien.diplo.de/es-de/service/2543238-2543238