Renew the driving licence (DGT)

What you need to have to hand

1. DNI/NIE or passport in force.
2. Driving licence to renew (even if expired, take it).
3. Cl@ve or certificado digital if you're going to pay the fee online or book the appointment.
4. Photo 32x26 mm only if you're going to Jefatura (medical centres take the photo and signature there).
5. Bank card to pay the Tasa 4.3 if you don't go through a collaborating centre.

Documentation

1. Identification: DNI, NIE or passport original.
2. Informe de aptitud psicofísica del Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores (if processing at Jefatura; collaborating centres send it electronically).
3. 32x26 mm photograph recent, colour, plain background (only via Jefatura).
4. Justificante de pago Tasa DGT 4.3 (if you don't pay at the medical centre).
5. Driving licence to be renewed.
6. Medical reports if you have restrictions or conditions affecting validity.

Step by step

1. Check expiry and your situation on the DGT: you can renew from 3 months before without losing days.
2. Choose a route:
   • Centro de Reconocimiento: go with your DNI and licence; they do the check, photo and signature, handle/pay the fee and give you a temporary authorisation on the spot.
   • Jefatura: first do the medical check (the centre sends the report), pay the Tasa 4.3 on the sede and book an appointment.
3. Pay the fee (if Jefatura) on the DGT sede with Cl@ve and keep the PDF receipt.
4. Book your appointment at the Jefatura: choose “Renovación del permiso”. Avoid peak times; Monday mornings are usually chaos.
5. Go with everything: DNI, licence, 32x26 photo and receipt. Sign the talón-foto there. They give you an autorización temporal (90 days) and the card arrives by post in 2–6 weeks.

Tricks that save you time

1. Collaborating centres are almost always quicker: you walk out with the provisional without going to Jefatura.
2. Pay the fee online before going to Jefatura and carry the receipt on your phone and printed just in case.
3. Book at odd hours if your city's slots disappear fast: sometimes they release spots very early.
4. Correct photo: 32x26 mm, plain background, no sunglasses or hat. If it's wrong they'll send you back and you lose your slot.
5. If you're over 70: the Tasa DGT is 0€; you'll only pay the medical check.

Common mistakes that can derail the process

1. Letting it expire and still driving: that's 200€ fine. Not worth it.
2. Doing the medical check too early: the report expires in ~90 days; if your Jefatura appointment is later you'll have to repeat it and pay again.
3. Going to Jefatura without a photo: if there's no photobooth nearby you lose the appointment. Bring it already trimmed to size.
4. Not saving the fee receipt: if the system fails (it happens), without the PDF they may not process you.
5. Choosing the wrong appointment reason (another procedure): they'll reject you at the counter. Pick “Renovación del permiso”.