Special licences in Spain: AM (moped), B+E, ADR and boating qualifications

They are 4 separate authorisations, each with its own body. The AM licence, the B+E and the ADR authorisation are granted by the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT, the Spanish traffic authority), through its provincial traffic offices (Jefaturas Provinciales de Tráfico). Registration and entry of a pleasure boat and the boating qualifications fall to the maritime administration (Capitanía Marítima and the Dirección General de la Marina Mercante, the Spanish merchant navy authority).

The AM licence lets you ride mopeds of up to 50 cc with 2 or 3 wheels and light quadricycles. The B+E extends the category B licence so that you can tow heavy trailers or semi-trailers. The ADR authorisation is an add-on to your driving licence (it does not entitle you to drive on its own) that allows you to carry dangerous goods. A pleasure boat requires, on one side, a qualification for whoever is at the helm and, on the other, registration or entry of the vessel.

The reference rule for driving licences is the Reglamento General de Conductores (Real Decreto 818/2009, the Spanish General Drivers Regulation). Recreational boating qualifications are governed by Real Decreto 875/2014, of 10 October, while flagging, entry and registration of pleasure boats are regulated by Real Decreto 1435/2010.

AM licence: minimum age 15. You can sit the exam from 3 months before you reach that age. It is the first licence you can obtain, as early as 15 (at 16 a minor can also obtain the A1, motorcycles of up to 125 cc, or the B1, heavy quadricycles). You need to live in Spain and meet the required physical and mental fitness standards.

B+E licence: 18 and holding a category B licence. You only need it when the trailer goes beyond the limits of the ordinary category B licence.

ADR authorisation: you must have held a category B licence for at least 1 year, not be disqualified from driving and meet the group 2 physical and mental fitness standard (the one for lorries and buses).

Recreational boating: most qualifications require you to be 18. The licencia de navegación (basic navigation licence) and the Patrón para Navegación Básica can be obtained from the age of 16 with the consent of your parents or guardians.

AM licence: a theory exam specific to category AM plus a manoeuvring test on a closed circuit (2 manoeuvres selected from a set that includes parking, slalom and turning round). You also need a physical and mental fitness report from a Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores (an authorised driver medical centre).

B+E licence: it has no theory exam of its own, because you already hold the category B licence. You only have to pass a practical test of skills and behaviour (3 specific manoeuvres for hitching up and driving with a trailer).

ADR authorisation: you must take an initial ADR-basic training course at a centre authorised by the DGT and then pass a theory exam at the DGT. The basic authorisation covers the carriage in non-tank vehicles of any dangerous goods except explosives (class 1) and radioactive material (class 7). For those and for tank vehicles there are specific extensions. It is valid for 5 years, renewable with a refresher course.

Boating: each qualification has its own exam and practical training. The PER, for example, includes a theory exam of 45 multiple choice questions, basic safety and navigation practicals of at least 16 hours (split into 2 days of 8 hours) and radio communications content within the theory syllabus. The licencia de navegación has no exam: you obtain it with a theory and practice course at an authorised school.

Every pleasure boat must be entered in the Registro de matrícula de buques (the Spanish register of vessels). It is entered on lista 7ª if it is for private, non-profit use, or on lista 6ª if it is operated for profit (charter or hire, for example).

Real Decreto 1435/2010, of 5 November, which regulates the flagging of pleasure boats on the sixth and seventh lists of the register of vessels (article 8), provides a special regime for boats with a length of 12 metres or less carrying CE marking: they obtain a certificado de inscripción (certificate of entry) and are exempt from flagging and registration, although they may opt into the general regime voluntarily. Boats over 12 metres always go through the general registration regime.

The application is filed with the competent Capitanía Marítima or through the electronic office of the Ministerio de Transportes (the Spanish transport ministry). In addition, pleasure boats over 8 metres in length are subject to the Impuesto Especial sobre Determinados Medios de Transporte (registration tax, modelo 576), with exemption cases for sailing schools and hire that require prior recognition by the Agencia Tributaria (AEAT, the Spanish tax authority).

The cost always has 2 parts: the body's tasas (official fees, fixed and published) and Managora's service fee. You can see the current amount on the page for each procedure: permiso_am_ciclomotor_dgt, permiso_b_e_dgt, autorizacion_adr_dgt and inscripcion_buque_recreo.

At the DGT, the exam fee is paid with tasa 2.1 and the issue of the licence with tasa 2.3. In boating there are exam fees (the sittings are called by the comunidad autónoma, the regional government) and the issue of the qualification by the Marina Mercante. For the registration of the boat you pay the maritime administration fees and, where applicable, the registration tax.

Timescales depend on the exam calendar of each province and comunidad autónoma. The ADR authorisation lets you drive straight away with a provisional permit valid for 3 months while the final card arrives.

Managora identifies exactly which licence or qualification you need for your vehicle or boat, gathers the documents, calculates and pays the official tasas and files the application with the DGT, the comunidad autónoma or the Capitanía Marítima, whichever applies.

For boat registration we prepare the entry on lista 6ª or 7ª, the certificado de inscripción where the special regime applies and the registration tax return. You only provide the details and the documents: we file them and follow the matter up until you receive your licence, qualification or registration.