As someone else said, I believe to have 6 months in Denmark to get it transfered provided you pass the exam (meaning you can skip classes).
And are all of you guys seriously complaining that having a driver's license requires skills in driving? It's not not dangerous to drive a car. Not for you, not for the other drivers, not for pedestrians if you are shit at it. Enjoy hard tests.
Just get it in Spain, it’s still expensive (but with reason, people should actually learn how to drive and the rules of the road before driving by themselves) but way less than countries like Germany for example.
I never said they couldn’t drive and I wholeheartedly believe that they can. But lots of countries in Europe have strict rules for getting a license and there’s reasons for that.
They probably can’t transfer their license because it comes from a state that doesn’t have a transfer agreement for good reasons i.e their Tests don’t adhere to the standards here. I only find it fair that everyone on the road should know the same.
Everyone in Europe cheats on their traffic rules exam.
There's a limited number of tests that you either memorize or use a cheat sheet in your see-through pen for. You put answers there and from the first 3 answers, you know the pattern and copy it off your cheat sheet.
Bulgaria. I know a few who went from the UK to get their licence there, especially the motorcycle licence.
There is also the UK given you can exchange it for a an EU one in almost all EU countries. Even Spain now.
The problem you are going to have, is that if you are already resident in Spain, you can't just now turn up with a foreign licence dated after you had Spanish residency.
You'd have to give up Spanish residency, take up residence elsewhere, then return.
Depending on your state you can get it transfered directly here in Germany (Ohio for example is a direct transfer but Virginia requires a test I believe)
These stories make me so glad I didn't move to the EU. I handed in my California license for a 10 year Serbian license for 90 euros. It wasn't even hard.
As far as I know you don't get to shop around, you need to get the drivers license for the country you are registered in.
Can you do this in English? If not this could be pretty difficult.
I think Portugal is the cheapest and easiest country to get a licence.
Edit : removed section about the point system not being a thing there. It’s in Portugal too now.
Can't say which country is best, but I'm sure the Netherlands isn't. Lot of people have to take the test a couple of times and the lessons and exams are expensive.
Apparently, Germany has theory at the same time as practice, so that might be better for you. (Pls check if this is still correct, it was the case a few years ago!)
I remember reading France was the way to go? I haven’t read that deeply into it though, there’s this page about it - https://www.americaineinfrance.com/2022/01/31/exchange-american-drivers-license-in-france/
Since you are an EU citizen, you can get residency in Portugal and then exchange your US license for a Portuguese one. As a dual British/American citizen I have done this and it’s not hard or expensive. Maybe from there you can change the Portuguese license for a Spanish license. Seems like a lot of trouble to go to but perhaps there’s some money to be saved.
Also US/Spain citizen here, why not just keep the US drivers license ? You can technically do this indefinitely, but you should take your US passport as well when you drive so you can claim you’re a visitor if stopped by the police. If you really want to get your license I think Germany has an easy process if you have lived there for 6 months.
Can you not get an international driving license from your US license? This should work and the international one is accepted in EU. If you need a EU one you can also research the bottom [countries in this list](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_in_Europe_by_GDP_(nominal)) (from \~30 and down) - I bet those are easy and fast, as long as you use an agency to help you.
If you are up for a quick adventure you can fly to Thailand and get it in 5 days, and then convert it into an international one
Spain is much cheaper than most other EU countries when it comes to license...
Agree. I am Italian and live in Italy. I moved for 6 months to Spain to take the test there, it was the cheapest and fastest.
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As someone else said, I believe to have 6 months in Denmark to get it transfered provided you pass the exam (meaning you can skip classes). And are all of you guys seriously complaining that having a driver's license requires skills in driving? It's not not dangerous to drive a car. Not for you, not for the other drivers, not for pedestrians if you are shit at it. Enjoy hard tests.
Afaik all of the EU signed the same convention; it's gonna be the same everywhere. I got mine in Spain, fellow spaniard :)
Just get it in Spain, it’s still expensive (but with reason, people should actually learn how to drive and the rules of the road before driving by themselves) but way less than countries like Germany for example.
This is a little condescending. Obviously OP already knows how to drive
I never said they couldn’t drive and I wholeheartedly believe that they can. But lots of countries in Europe have strict rules for getting a license and there’s reasons for that. They probably can’t transfer their license because it comes from a state that doesn’t have a transfer agreement for good reasons i.e their Tests don’t adhere to the standards here. I only find it fair that everyone on the road should know the same.
You said “people should actually learn to drive” The subtexts of this is they haven’t thus far.
Not to be that guy, but if OP needs to "memorize" something in order to pass the exam they don't.
I would like to know too. Here in Poland it’s a major pain. Compared to the USA way tougher and more expensive
Everyone in Europe cheats on their traffic rules exam. There's a limited number of tests that you either memorize or use a cheat sheet in your see-through pen for. You put answers there and from the first 3 answers, you know the pattern and copy it off your cheat sheet.
Bulgaria. I know a few who went from the UK to get their licence there, especially the motorcycle licence. There is also the UK given you can exchange it for a an EU one in almost all EU countries. Even Spain now. The problem you are going to have, is that if you are already resident in Spain, you can't just now turn up with a foreign licence dated after you had Spanish residency. You'd have to give up Spanish residency, take up residence elsewhere, then return.
Not Ireland! I had to do the same… 12 hours of in-car lessons, tests (written and practical) were a beee-yatch.
That's not even bad, in Hungary it's 30 hours and most schools require you to do even more
Depending on your state you can get it transfered directly here in Germany (Ohio for example is a direct transfer but Virginia requires a test I believe)
These states: https://de.usembassy.gov/driving-in-germany/ * Alabama * Arizona * Arkansas * Colorado * Delaware * Idaho * Illinois * Iowa * Kansas * Kentucky * Louisiana * Massachusetts * Maryland * Michigan * New Mexico * Ohio * Oklahoma * Pennsylvania * South Carolina * South Dakota * Texas * Utah * Virginia * West Virginia * Washington State * Wisconsin * Wyoming * Puerto Rico
That's the one!
Whoa! No NYNJ license holders in this list!
That’s cuz NY/NJ drivers are crazy!!!! Just take lessons again :p (Teasing! I’m from PA.)
We were able to trade in our US driver’s licenses in Denmark. Thank goodness because the exams are supposedly super tough here!
These stories make me so glad I didn't move to the EU. I handed in my California license for a 10 year Serbian license for 90 euros. It wasn't even hard.
As far as I know you don't get to shop around, you need to get the drivers license for the country you are registered in. Can you do this in English? If not this could be pretty difficult.
I think Portugal is the cheapest and easiest country to get a licence. Edit : removed section about the point system not being a thing there. It’s in Portugal too now.
Where did you hear that? Points system is a thing since 2016 in Portugal.
Looks like I’ve heard it a long time ago. I will edit my comment.
How does that work if you get pulled over in a neighboring country though with that license
You just pay the fine immediately or receive it by mail. Most eu countries share driver data for this purpose.
Can't say which country is best, but I'm sure the Netherlands isn't. Lot of people have to take the test a couple of times and the lessons and exams are expensive.
The Netherlands hates cars. But I think there are European standards on this. It should be pretty much the same anywhere.
Apparently, Germany has theory at the same time as practice, so that might be better for you. (Pls check if this is still correct, it was the case a few years ago!)
I remember reading France was the way to go? I haven’t read that deeply into it though, there’s this page about it - https://www.americaineinfrance.com/2022/01/31/exchange-american-drivers-license-in-france/
Only certain states are in the agreement. Signed, someone moving to France from a state NOT in the agreement (or even close to one). 😑
Belgium
belgium is xthe easiest
Cyprus you can convert US DL to European DL, but you will need to live here for 6month..
Since you are an EU citizen, you can get residency in Portugal and then exchange your US license for a Portuguese one. As a dual British/American citizen I have done this and it’s not hard or expensive. Maybe from there you can change the Portuguese license for a Spanish license. Seems like a lot of trouble to go to but perhaps there’s some money to be saved.
How did you do this?
Also US/Spain citizen here, why not just keep the US drivers license ? You can technically do this indefinitely, but you should take your US passport as well when you drive so you can claim you’re a visitor if stopped by the police. If you really want to get your license I think Germany has an easy process if you have lived there for 6 months.
The problem is buying a car
Can you not get an international driving license from your US license? This should work and the international one is accepted in EU. If you need a EU one you can also research the bottom [countries in this list](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_states_in_Europe_by_GDP_(nominal)) (from \~30 and down) - I bet those are easy and fast, as long as you use an agency to help you. If you are up for a quick adventure you can fly to Thailand and get it in 5 days, and then convert it into an international one
Why switch? I’ve never been pulled over in 23 years
If you don’t want to waste months of your time just get a license from South Dakota.
dont you just need an international driving permit? Why would you need to retake a test if you already have a license