Andorra (AD)
Andorra is a tiny parliamentary co-principality nestled in the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain, governed jointly by the French President and the Bishop of Urgell.
Driving in Andorra
Licence exchange, road rules, fines, buying a car, and cycling.
Driving in Andorra follows the Code de la Circulation Andorrà — broadly similar to French and Spanish traffic laws. Traffic drives on the right. Andorra's roads are well-maintained but challenging: steep mountain gradients, narrow mountain roads, heavy tourist traffic on weekends (especially near duty-free shopping areas), and severe winter conditions requiring snow chains or winter tyres. The main arteries (CG1 to CG7 national roads) connect all 7 parishes. Driving is the most practical transport for many areas, especially ski resorts and rural parishes. Andorra has no motorway — all roads are national or local. Border crossings to Spain (Sant Julià de Lòria gate) and France (Pas de la Casa / L'Hospitalet) are 24/7 with customs checks.
Driving Licence Exchange
Andorra recognises EU/EEA driving licences directly. EU/EEA licence holders can drive in Andorra with their home country licence indefinitely while visiting, and must exchange within 18 months of establishing permanent residency. Non-EU licences (UK, USA, Canada, Australia, etc.) can be used for up to 18 months from residency registration, after which exchange or conversion is required. Exchange is handled by the Departament de Mobilitat i Interior (Ministry of Interior).
Present your valid EU/EEA driving licence to the Departament de Mobilitat i Interior. Bring your EU licence, Andorran residence card, a passport photo, and proof of Andorran address. No driving test required. Andorra issues its own permís de conduir andorrà.
Exchange recommended within 18 months of establishing residency. UK licences post-Brexit: treated as non-EU for exchange purposes — see specific rules below.
United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Switzerland
Exchange via the Departament de Mobilitat i Interior without requiring a full driving test for most listed countries. Submit: original foreign licence with certified Catalan/Spanish translation (if not in French, Spanish, or English), Andorran residence card, passport photo, and a vision test certificate from an Andorran optometrist.
Processing time 4–8 weeks. Vision test (prova de visió) required. Some nationalities may need a theory test — confirm with Departament de Mobilitat. UK licence holders: exchange permitted without practical test under bilateral recognition.
May require Andorran theory test (prova teòrica de conducció) and/or practical test if your country is not on the bilateral recognition list. Contact the Departament de Mobilitat i Interior before planning your move. Driving schools (autoescoles) in Andorra la Vella can assist with preparation.
Enrol in an autoescola early — waiting times for test slots can be 4–8 weeks. Andorran theory test available in Catalan, Spanish, and French.
Road Rules
Urban areas and Andorra la Vella city centre: 30–50 km/h (posted signs). National roads (CG1–CG7) outside urban areas: 90 km/h. Mountain road sections with switchbacks: 30–40 km/h as signed. Near ski resorts during peak season: congestion zones posted at 20–30 km/h. Note: Andorra's small size means very few roads reach the national road maximum before another urban zone begins.
0.5 g/L BAC — same as France and Spain. 0.3 g/L for professional drivers and drivers in their first 2 years. Roadside breathalyser checks are conducted regularly, especially during ski season weekends and near the French border. DUI penalties: licence suspension, fines up to €3,000, and potential imprisonment for severe cases.
Prohibited while driving except with a fully integrated hands-free system. Holding a phone while driving: immediate fine (€300). Andorra's small road network means police visibility is high — enforcement is real. Park safely off the road if you need to use your phone.
Mandatory for all occupants in all seats. Fine: €200 per unbelted person. Children under 135 cm or 12 years: must use an appropriate child restraint system in the rear seat.
All children under 135 cm or 12 years must be in an approved child restraint system. Rear-facing seats must not be placed in front passenger seat with active airbag. Child seats must meet ECE Regulation 44/04 or UN Regulation R129 (i-Size). Car hire companies provide child seats at €10–15/day — book in advance during ski season.
Traffic Fines (Bußgeldkatalog)
Andorran traffic fines are enforced by the Policia (police) and Cos d'Ordre (public order corps). Fines are comparable to Spanish rates. Points system applies to Andorran licences. Foreign licence holders: points deductions are communicated to the home country authority. Fines must be paid to the Govern d'Andorra — unpaid fines can affect visa renewal.
| Offence | Fine | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Speeding 1–20 km/h over limit | €100–200 | 1–2 points |
| Speeding 21–40 km/h over limit | €200–400 | 3–4 points |
| Speeding 40+ km/h over limit | €500–1,000 + suspension | 6 points (suspension) |
| Running a red light | €200 | 4 points |
| Mobile phone while driving | €300 | 3 points |
| No seatbelt | €200 per person | 3 points |
| Drink driving (0.5–0.8 g/L) | €300–600 | 4 points |
| Drink driving (0.8+ g/L) | €600–3,000 + criminal charges | Suspension / cancellation |
| No winter tyres/chains (when required Nov 1–Apr 15) | €200–500 | — |
| No vehicle insurance | €600–3,000 + vehicle confiscation | — |
Buying a Car
Buying a car in Andorra is practical for residents. Andorra has several dealerships (Ford, Renault, Volkswagen, and luxury brands) as well as a used car market. Due to IGI (4.5% VAT equivalent vs 21% in Spain), cars are notably cheaper than in Spain or France — Andorra is a significant car purchase destination for Spanish and French buyers. Andorra-registered vehicles carry the AD plate. Vehicles must be re-registered in Andorra within 3 months of establishing residency.
- 1.Identify the vehicle — Andorran dealerships or used car platforms (Motorflash Andorra, InfoAnuncios Andorra).
- 2.Check vehicle history — request the historial del vehicle from the Registre de Vehicles d'Andorra.
- 3.Arrange Andorran vehicle insurance (RC obligatòria) before collection — required for registration.
- 4.For used vehicles: request inspection certificate from an authorised Andorran workshop.
- 5.Complete sale documentation: contrato de compravenda (sale contract) signed by both parties.
- 6.Register vehicle with the Departament de Mobilitat i Interior — obtain Andorran AD plates.
- •Vehicle history report — outstanding pledges, accident history
- •Technical inspection (Inspecció Tècnica de Vehicles — ITV) for vehicles over 4 years old
- •Outstanding finance check — confirm no encumbrances
- •Insurance validity before driving — mandatory RC obligatòria must be confirmed
- •Tyres: winter-rated tyres (or snow chains) mandatory from November 1 to April 15
Vehicle purchase price + IGI (4.5% on new vehicles) + Andorran registration fee (€100–250) + annual vehicle tax + ITV if required (€50–80) + insurance (€400–1,200/year).
Registration, Insurance & Tax
All vehicles primarily used in Andorra must be registered with the Departament de Mobilitat i Interior within 3 months of establishing residency. Documents required: proof of Andorran residency (permís de residència), vehicle title (permís de circulació), valid Andorran vehicle insurance certificate, and ITV certificate (if vehicle over 4 years old). Andorran-registered vehicles display AD prefix on white plates. EU vehicles imported for permanent use: complete the registration formality and pay any applicable registration fees. Registration fees: approximately €100–250. Annual vehicle tax: €80–400 depending on vehicle category and engine displacement.
All Andorran-operated vehicles must carry minimum third-party liability insurance (assegurança de responsabilitat civil obligatòria — RCO). Andorra accepts Andorran-issued insurance policies and policies from EU-regulated insurers with Andorran coverage extensions. Major providers: Allianz Andorra, AXA Andorra, Mapfre Andorra. Comprehensive coverage (tot risc) is strongly recommended given Andorra's mountain road risks. The international green card (carte verte) is required when crossing into France or Spain. Uninsured driving: fine up to €3,000 and vehicle confiscation.
Andorra levies an annual vehicle tax (taxa de circulació) on Andorra-registered vehicles. Rates: approximately €80–200/year for standard passenger vehicles; higher for large-engine and 4x4 vehicles popular in mountain terrain. Electric vehicles: reduced or zero annual tax under Andorra's sustainability policy. The Departament de Mobilitat issues annual tax notices. Non-payment can result in vehicle de-registration.
Andorran-registered vehicles over 4 years old must undergo ITV (Inspecció Tècnica de Vehicles) equivalent inspection at an approved inspection centre. Frequency: every 2 years for standard vehicles. Andorra has its own ITV inspection stations — no need to use Spanish or French centres. ITV covers: brakes, lights, emissions, tyres, and structural integrity. Vehicles older than 10 years: annual inspection required. Failed ITV: 30 days to rectify defects and re-test.
Cycling
Cycling in Andorra has two distinct faces: leisure/sports cycling is extremely popular (mountain biking and road cycling world-class), while daily utility cycling is limited by the steep terrain and mountain roads. The Vallnord and Grandvalira bike parks are internationally renowned for summer downhill mountain biking. The Gran Valira river path provides a flat cycling corridor through Andorra la Vella. E-bikes are increasingly used by residents for daily commuting on the valley floor.
- •Cyclists must follow all traffic signals and road rules — running red lights carries the same fine as for cars (€200).
- •Helmets are mandatory for cyclists under 16; strongly recommended for all on Andorra's mountain roads.
- •Cycling is prohibited on pedestrian-only zones in Andorra la Vella old town and the main Meritxell shopping street.
- •Electric bikes (VAE — vehicles d'assistència elèctrica) must not exceed 25 km/h motor-assisted speed; no licence required.
- •Lights are mandatory when cycling in low-light conditions: white front light and red rear reflector/light.
- •Mountain biking outside designated bike park trails must respect environmental regulations — no off-trail riding in protected zones.
- •E-bikes are strongly recommended for daily utility cycling — Andorra's terrain has gradients up to 15% on some residential streets.
- •Grandvalira Bike Park and Vallnord Bike Park offer world-class lift-served downhill trails in summer — one of Europe's finest mountain biking destinations.
- •Road cycling: the Col d'Envalira (2,408m — highest road pass in the Pyrenees) is a famous climb. The Vuelta a España regularly passes through Andorra.
- •Bike hire available at ski resort bases and in Andorra la Vella. E-bike rental: €30–60/day.
- •The river path (Camí de la Ribera) connecting Andorra la Vella to Escaldes is the safest flat cycling route for daily transport.
- •French and Spanish cycling routes (Vies Verdes, Voies Vertes) connect near the border for longer recreational rides.