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How do I get an International Driving Permit for Spain?

I’m going to study abroad in Spain for a semester, and I want to take some trips while I’m there. I plan on renting a car, but is my US license going to cut it? Is there some other type of driving permit I’ll need?

avatar
Cassandra Hamilton · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Make sure you enjoy all Spain has to offer while you’re studying abroad—from the food to the scenery to the history! A lot of countries accept US licenses as
qualification to drive
, so you may be surprised to learn that you need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in Spain. You may be asking yourself, “how do I get an IDP for Spain?” Not to worry—Jerry has the answers here.
To get your IDP, you’ll need to follow certain steps:
  • Renew your license if it’s close to expiration. The IDP doesn’t extend the expiration date of your US license.
  • Apply with an
    FIA/AIT
    qualified organization.
  • You need to be 18 or older to hold an IDP.
  • Apply within the US before you go abroad.
  • Show your permanent license to get an IDP—learner’s permits don’t count.
  • Pay a fee of $20.
  • Make sure you have two photographs that follow the
    same standards as a US passport
    .
Spain will have its own laws about getting car insurance for your rental, and it may be different from
your state’s minimum
. If you’re looking to save on your existing insurance or add additional coverage at an affordable rate, the
Jerry
app will be able to help with that. It takes less than two minutes for Jerry to pull awesome quotes from over 50 insurance companies—and one of them could be your key to saving $887 per year on your car insurance!
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.

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