Driving schools

Torre del Mar has four driving schools, on Avenida de Andalucía and in the centre, preparing car and motorcycle licences and other permits with theory and practical classes. One of them carries close to four hundred public reviews on a perfect score, which in this trade is an unusual track record.

First check whether you need this at all

If your licence was issued in another European Union or European Economic Area country, it is valid for driving in Spain and you do not need to retake anything, though residents have registration obligations depending on the licence and how long they have been here. If it was issued outside the EU, whether you can exchange it or must take the tests depends on whether Spain has an agreement with that country. The traffic authority is the place to confirm your specific case before paying for a course.

The theory test is available in English

The Spanish traffic authority offers the theory examination in languages other than Spanish, English among them. That does not make the course easier, but it removes the trap of failing a test on vocabulary rather than on driving. Confirm with the school which languages are available for your test.

What to compare between schools

• What the headline price includes. The official examination fees and the medical certificate are separate from the school's fee, and how many practical classes are included is where quotes really differ.
• The cost of extra practical classes, since almost everyone takes some.