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carné de conducir means driver's license — a common term in Travel Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: August 9, 2025

✈️ Travel Spanish

carné de conducir

noun • /[kar-NEH deh kon-doo-SEER]/

driver's license

Example:

¿Necesito carné internacional de conducir aquí?

Do I need an international driver's license here?

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🧠 What does carné de conducir mean?

This phrase means "driver's license" in English. It's what you need to legally drive a car or other vehicle in Spain and many other Spanish-speaking countries. While you might hear alternatives like *licencia de conducir*, *carné de conducir* is a very common and widely understood term.

📚 Extra examples

  • Olvidé mi *carné de conducir* en casa.
    I forgot my driver's license at home.
  • ¿Me puede mostrar su *carné de conducir*, por favor?
    Can you show me your driver's license, please?
  • Para alquilar un coche, necesitas un *carné de conducir* válido.
    To rent a car, you need a valid driver's license.
  • Perdí mi *carné de conducir* ¡Qué desastre!
    I lost my driver's license! What a disaster!
  • Ella está estudiando para obtener su *carné de conducir*.
    She is studying to get her driver's license.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'driver's license' in Spanish?
The most common way to say 'driver's license' in Spanish is *carné de conducir*.
How do you pronounce 'carné de conducir' in Spanish?
It's pronounced kar-NEH deh kon-doo-SEER. The stress falls on the last syllable of each word. Remember, the 'r' in Spanish is a little different than in English, a tap of the tongue against the roof of your mouth.
How do you use 'carné de conducir' in a sentence?
Here are some examples: *Olvidé mi carné de conducir* (I forgot my driver's license), or *¿Tiene su carné de conducir?* (Do you have your driver's license?).
What is the English translation of 'carné de conducir'?
'carné de conducir' translates to 'driver's license' in English.
Does 'carné de conducir' change for gender or number?
No, *carné de conducir* stays the same regardless of gender or number. You'd use the same phrase whether talking about one man's license or several women's licenses.
Is 'carné de conducir' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, it's a very common phrase used in everyday conversations, especially related to travel or driving.
Does 'carné de conducir' have slang or double meanings?
No, *carné de conducir* is a straightforward term and doesn't have any slang meanings or double meanings you need to worry about.
Is 'carné de conducir' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
While *carné de conducir* is understood across the Spanish-speaking world, you might also hear *licencia de conducir* in some Latin American countries. Both terms effectively mean the same thing.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "carné de conducir"

Synonyms: licencia de conducir, permiso de conducir

💡 Did You Know?

The word *carné* comes from the French word *carte*, which means 'card'.

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