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Good news: the syllabus for the Permiso B is not changing. ConducIA's 15-chapter program already covers everything you'll be examined on at 17 or 18 - exactly the same theoretical and practical content.
What changes: the "accompanied driving" model
Article 17 of EU Directive 2025/2205, approved in November 2025, allows young people aged 17 to obtain the Class B driving license in any EU member state. This is known as the "German model": the license is issued earlier, but it carries a special restriction until the holder turns 18.
That restriction appears on the back of the license as code 98.02. While the code is active, the young driver may only drive a car if a qualified accompanying adult is sitting in the passenger seat at all times. Once they turn 18, the restriction is automatically lifted and they drive like any other Permiso B holder.
Who can be the accompanying person?
The directive sets clear minimum requirements for the adult who supervises the new driver. According to the rules approved in Brussels, the accompanying person must:
- Be at least 24 years old.
- Hold a valid Class B driving license (or equivalent) issued in the EU and obtained at least 5 years before becoming an accompanying person.
- Not have been deprived of the right to drive in the issuing member state during the last 5 years.
- Strictly respect alcohol and drug rules while supervising.
Member states can also add their own conditions and limit how many accompanying adults a single young driver may have. Spain has not yet defined these national details - the DGT has set up a working group to design the implementation.
When will it apply in Spain?
The directive came into force at EU level, but it still needs to be added to Spanish law before 17-year-olds can use it in Spain. Spain has until 26 November 2028 to do this, and the DGT is already working on it.
Important until then: the legal driving age for the Permiso B in Spain remains 18 years old, but you can sit the theoretical exam up to 3 months before turning 18 - so you can get a head start now.
Once Spain transposes the directive, 17-year-olds will be able to:
- Prepare independently or enroll in a driving school (autoescuela).
- Sit the same theoretical exam as any other Permiso B candidate.
- Sit the same practical exam.
- Receive the license with code 98.02, requiring an accompanying adult until they turn 18.
According to Montserrat Pérez, deputy director general for Training and Road Safety Education at the DGT, "the training model is not modified. The directive does not regulate how to train your drivers; it explains the contents on which we must examine for each type of license and regulates exam timings - we already have our own training model in Spain."
Why this matters for young drivers and families
The DGT has highlighted two scenarios where accompanied driving at 17 will be especially useful:
- Young people in rural or depopulated areas, where having a car and a driver in the family is essential for daily life.
- Students entering university, who can arrive at their new city already knowing how to drive their own car safely.
The model also adds an extra layer of supervision during the first months behind the wheel - the period when crash risk is statistically highest for new drivers. As the DGT puts it, "a very high percentage of us, when we first got our license, drove the first few times with someone we trust in the passenger seat. This formalises that practice."
How to prepare today, regardless of when you turn 18
Whether you'll be 17 or 18 when you take the exam, the syllabus and the exam itself are exactly the same. So the smartest move you can make right now is start studying the official Permiso B syllabus, including the new traffic signs introduced in 2025 that are already appearing in exams.
ConducIA is the most modern way to prepare for the Permiso B theoretical exam, designed to help you learn faster, stay motivated, and pass on your first try. It includes a complete 15 chapter syllabus, +2000 questions, interactive games, AI learning, and more. Let's see how it compares to traditional platforms:
| Feature | Traditional platforms |
|
|---|---|---|
| +2000 theory questions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Topic tests | — | ✓ |
| Error tests | — | ✓ |
| Adaptive learning (with AI) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Interactive games | ✗ | ✓ |
| Digital book included | Separate (€10+) | ✓ |
| Gamification (streaks and badges) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Prizes and competitions | ✗ | ✓ |
| English version | ✗ | ✓ |
| Affordable pricing | ✗ | View pricing |
Frequently asked questions
Can I get my Permiso B at 17 in Spain right now?
No. The directive must first be added to Spanish law. The deadline is 26 November 2028, and the DGT is currently working on the implementation details.
Will the exam be different for 17-year-olds?
No. Same theoretical exam, same practical exam, same syllabus. The only difference is the 98.02 code on the license, which expires automatically when you turn 18.
Who decides who my accompanying person can be?
The EU directive sets the minimum requirements (age 24+, valid license for 5+ years, clean record, sober driving). Spain may add extra rules when transposing the directive.
Does the accompanying person need any special training?
The directive does not require it, but member states may add training requirements. This is one of the open points the DGT working group is reviewing.
What happens if I drive without my accompanying adult before turning 18?
You would be breaking the conditions on your license (code 98.02), which is treated as driving without a valid license - a serious offence with fines and possible loss of the license.
Official sources
- DGT - Conducción acompañada: con carnet desde los 17: https://www.dgt.es/comunicacion/noticias/20260420-conduccion-acompanada/
- EU Directive 2025/2205, Article 17: European framework for accompanied driving and license categories.