Driving licence medical test: What does it involve, how much is it and should I get one?
The UK Embassy has advised Brits in Spain to do their psychotechnical test now ready to exchange their licences, but is it really worth it?
The British Embassy in Madrid has formally recommended Brits living in Spain to start booking an appointment for their ‘psicotécnico’, a prerequisite for exchanging a UK driving licence for a Spanish one, if you haven’t already done so.
But what does the medical exam really entail, how much does it cost, and is it worth booking in now or waiting?
It is illegal for British citizens who have been resident in Spain for more than six months to drive using a UK driving licence, and the Brits and the Spanish are said to be in the ‘final processes’ of signing a deal to once again allow Brits who didn’t exchange their licences after Brexit to do so now.
When the deal is finally signed and sealed, Brits resident in Spain will once again temporarily be allowed to drive on their UK licences, and will have a six-month window in which to exchange them for Spanish ones.
What does the medical aptitude test consist of?
For this, it is necessary to do a medical aptitude test, called the ‘psicotécnico’, in a Spanish health centre recognised by the DGT Tráfico department, in order to get a medical report certifying that you are fit to drive.
The Embassy has indicated that this test involves a hearing test, an eye test and tests to monitor your powers of prediction, concentration and your reflexes. They also measure your general physical capacity, including respiratory ability, motor skills, blood pressure and more.
How long does it take?
The duration of the test itself does not usually exceed 12/15 minutes, they indicated, so it is fairly fast considering how comprehensive it is.
How much does it cost?
The cost of doing the test is around 40 euros at the moment, although they note that “costs and precise details of the test may vary according to different clinics”.
Where can I get a medical test and how do I book?
The psicotécnico test can be taken at any health centre that is officially recognised by the DGT, a full list of which you can find here
In many places, there will be a centre located very close to the local DGT office and you can get a walk-in test without having to book an appointment. However, it’s always best to be safe and book in advance to be sure.
What do I need to take?
When you go for your medical test, you need to take your current driving licence with you, as well as recognised ID in Spain such as a NIE, TIE card or proof of residencia, not to mention enough money to pay for the test.
Is it worth doing the medical test now or waiting?
While the confidence the Embassy has that we are nearing the end of the negotiation round for the driving licence exchange issue is a promising sign, many Brits are still sceptical as there have been missed deadlines and false hopes in the past.
Some are taking the Embassy’s advice at face value and booking in for their tests now, but a lot of people are saying they would rather wait until the deal is made official, published in the Official State Gazette and announced by the DGT themselves.
One reason for this is that the medical report from the test is valid for just 3 months, so people would rather only spend the money to take the test once rather than risk the deal not being made final within the next 3 months and then having to pay to take the test again.
As well as the cost of the test, of course, those who have no one to drive them to the test centre or who cannot take public transport also have to add the cost of taxis to and from the health centre.
For now, most people are reporting that it has been very quick and easy to get their medical report, so there shouldn’t be too many delays.
In the end, it comes down to personal choice whether you want to do the test now and hope that you’ll be able to exchange your licence with the DGT in the next 3 months, or wait and see.
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