DGT theory exam in English: your questions on exam day, results and retakes

This page answers the practical questions that come up between booking the theory exam and sitting it again if things go wrong. It does not repeat the basics of the English paper (languages, how to ask for English, the Spanish terms to know): those are in the DGT theory exam in English. The steps from residence to licence are in how to get a Spanish driving licence. Facts below come from the DGT and the BOE, read on 11 October 2026.

Your questions answered

What is the exam like on the day?

It is a multiple-choice test taken on a computer. The DGT describes it as 30 questions with three answer options each, and the regulation gives one minute per question, so 30 minutes. You pass with no more than 3 mistakes. Read the rules in Reglamento General de Conductores, annex VI.B, and the DGT's own description in its news item of 15 October 2025 (in Spanish). The DGT does not publish the question bank, so nobody can show you the real paper in advance. What you can do is arrive knowing the format: pace yourself at about a minute a question, read each question to the end before looking at the options, and watch for words such as "only", "never" and "always", which change the meaning of an option.

When do I get the result?

For a computer-based theory test the result is posted online the same afternoon from 17:00, on the DGT page "Consulta tu nota de examen". Results stay published for 15 days. That DGT page was last updated in November 2020, so treat the timing as a guide and ask your driving school or traffic office if it differs. If your result does not appear, tell your driving school so that it can report the problem to the DGT.

What if I cannot attend on the day?

A no-show counts as a fail and uses up one of your two sittings (RGCond art. 51.2). The only way to avoid that is to ask for the exam appointment to be cancelled (anulación de citación) because of force majeure, with proof. The DGT grants it only in exceptional, duly justified cases. You file the official form (model 07), your reason and your identity document at the traffic office that booked the exam, in person with an appointment or online. The procedure is free. Source: DGT online office (in Spanish).

Can I get extra time?

The regulation allows more time in two cases: when questions are preceded by a video of a traffic situation, in proportion to its length, and when the candidate has justified special needs (annex VI.B.2). Easy-read and audio versions are covered on the main English exam page. Ask your traffic office or driving school how to document a special need, because we have not found a DGT page that lists the procedure.

Will the exam include a video?

The DGT announced in October 2025 that the theory test would add a video on which candidates answer questions about risk situations, with extra time for its length. As of 11 October 2026 we have not found a DGT notice that this applies, and the DGT page we read describes 30 questions in 30 minutes. The regulation already allows videos before questions (annex VI.B.1). When this changes we will update what changed.

How many times can I fail the theory test?

Each application gives you two sittings, no more than six months apart unless there is a justified reason such as illness (art. 51.2). If you fail both, in the same test or in different tests, you file a new application and pay the fee again (fee 2.1, 94.05 EUR).

Do I need a new medical report if I retake?

For a new application, yes: the report is valid for 90 days and must be in date when you file. Within the same application, the two sittings are already covered by the fee. If the 90 days run out between your first and second sitting, ask your traffic office whether it needs a fresh report before the second date: the DGT page we read says the report must be valid when you file, and does not discuss that case.

How long does a passed theory test last?

Two years, counted from the day after you pass (art. 53.1). If you pass the next test in that period, the two years start again. If it lapses before you get the licence, you repeat the tests. In practice that means you should book the practical test soon after passing the theory, not leave it for the last month.

The numbers on one screen

Sources

• DGT, Consulta tu nota de examen (updated 04/11/2020); Requisitos, preparación y presentación a examen (09/07/2026); DGT online office, Anulación de citación a examen, checked 11/10/2026.
• DGT news, Examen teórico: la importancia de conocer el riesgo, updated 15/10/2025.
• BOE, Reglamento General de Conductores (RD 818/2009), articles 51 and 53 and annex VI.B, consolidated text read 11/10/2026.

This page explains the rules and is not legal advice. Ask your provincial traffic office or call 060 about your own case.