Getting an Andorran driving licence and importing your car involves two separate procedures: obtaining permission to drive in Andorra and clearing, approving and registering a vehicle. The exact requirements depend on your nationality, residence status, vehicle origin and car specifications, so check the latest rules with the Govern d’Andorra before making travel or purchase arrangements.
Who can apply for an Andorran driving licence?
In most cases, you apply once you are legally resident in Andorra. Your residence card, passport or identity document and a medical certificate are normally required. The medical examination must be completed through an authorised centre and confirms that you meet the eyesight and health requirements for the relevant licence category.
Applications and driving-related procedures are handled through the Government’s mobility and traffic services. Ask the Servei de Tràmits or the relevant Departament de Mobilitat which documents apply to your nationality and licence category. Requirements can change, particularly for foreign licences and professional driving categories.
Can you exchange a foreign licence?
Andorra has arrangements that may allow residents to exchange certain foreign driving licences without taking the full local test. Eligibility depends on the country that issued the licence, the category, whether it is valid and when it was obtained. Licences from countries with an applicable agreement may be exchanged, while other applicants may need to pass Andorran theory and practical examinations.
Do not assume that an international driving permit replaces an Andorran licence after you become resident. An international permit is generally a translation or supplement to a national licence, not a permanent solution for residents. Before surrendering your original licence, ask the mobility office about the exchange process, translations, photographs, fees and whether you must prove that you were resident in the issuing country when the licence was obtained.
Documents and practical steps
- Prepare your passport, Andorran residence card and, where requested, a certificate of residence or padró from your parish.
- Bring the original foreign licence, copies and an official translation if the document is not accepted in its original language.
- Complete the required medical examination and obtain passport photographs in the specified format.
- Pay the administrative fee and submit the application through the Government’s designated office or online service where available.
- Check the temporary document and collection arrangements before driving, especially if your foreign licence is retained during an exchange.
Your parish’s comú, such as the Comú d’Andorra la Vella, Escaldes-Engordany or another local authority, can help with local residence or parking information, but it does not replace the national driving-licence procedure.
Importing a car to Andorra
Andorra is outside the European Union customs and VAT system. Even if you are moving from Spain or France, bringing a vehicle into the country is an import operation. Start by confirming that the car can meet Andorran technical and emissions requirements before transporting it.
You will usually need the purchase invoice or contract, original registration certificate, proof of ownership, identification, residence documents and insurance information. Customs may require an import declaration and evidence of the vehicle’s origin. A vehicle imported from outside the European customs area can involve customs duty as well as tax; the amount depends on its classification, origin, value, age and other factors.
Customs, IGI and vehicle approval
IGI, Andorra’s general indirect tax, may be payable on an imported vehicle. The applicable treatment can depend on whether the car is new or used, its customs value and the circumstances of the import. Do not calculate your budget using only the purchase price: include transport, customs handling, inspection, translations, registration, number plates and insurance.
After customs clearance, the vehicle normally needs a technical inspection and conformity or homologation checks before it can be registered. Differences in lighting, emissions documentation, modifications or vehicle dimensions can delay approval. Keep the certificate of conformity and all technical records, and ask the vehicle inspection or mobility service whether an individual approval is needed.
Registering and using the car
Once the import and inspection stages are complete, submit the required paperwork to the Government department responsible for vehicle registration. You will need valid insurance and must pay the registration and number-plate charges. Ask the insurer whether your policy covers the vehicle while it is awaiting registration; ordinary foreign cover may not be sufficient.
After moving in, arrange electricity with FEDA, telecommunications with Andorra Telecom and other essential services separately from the car process. If you work in Andorra, CASS registration and your residency documentation are also important, but neither automatically registers a vehicle or grants a driving licence.
For a smooth move, obtain written confirmation of the import requirements before buying the car, use a customs agent if the paperwork is unfamiliar, and keep copies of every declaration and receipt. Browse local businesses in the directory to find Andorran services for insurance, vehicle maintenance, customs support and relocation assistance.
