Driving in Spain - Page 2

Please check your facts - he previously stated the below  Thanks. 

But I got my residency approval in December 2020. I did not receive the card until January 21st 2021.   My paperwork for my driving license was dated and in DGT in the December 2020.

So read it first before asking people to check their facts

… But goes on to explain that due to an illness in the family, a return to the UK was necessary and paperwork was returned thus now falling outside the exchange window and negating the ability to exchange, resulting in the need to either sit the test or hope for talks to bring about licence equivalency.

That is the truthful statement I can tell you. 

Yesterday on Social Media the British government from Madrid spoke about this topic. 

That the talks are still ongoing and we will let you know in due course.  

Thanks

British driving licences need to be renewed at age 70, and every three years thereafter.  There is no medical examination but you have to answer questions about your eyesight and any health problems relevant to driving ability. This can be done free on line or by post in response to a reminder at the relevant age times.  A new driving licence is issued if all is OK and you cut up your old one and return it to the DVLA.  I apologise if you know all this and have done it, but just to warn British licence holders that their licences will become invalid if this is not done.

Lowie, have just seen this on N332 : “You can drive in Spain using a valid UK licence until the end of February 2022” 

So two month extension granted.  Talks are ongoing, no agreement yet.

Does this mean that I can now exchange my UK license for a Spanish license (EU)

Thanks for that.    Terry

No, Exchange is still not possible, only that the grace period for being able to drive in Spain as a resident on a UK licence is extended until 28 February.  At a guess they will continue extending validity of UK licence until talks produce a definitive outcome.

So the only way to get a Spanish licence is still by test BUT … you are still able, as a resident, to legally drive in Spain on a UK licence until 28 February.

This information confirmed by an updated section in Gov.uk

I so hope they eventually squash the test

Hello my question is around driving licences but not necessarily regarding the changing of licence

So here goes. I am non resident but own a property and a locally sourced car and have the necessary NiE and insure and tax and ITV when COVID allowed.

I am now confused by the Brexit changes I am 74 and have a full English licence. As aa precaution I also took out an International Driving Licence which only lasts at present for one year.

In the past I took extensive trips in the EU within the time to stay in Spain and return.

So can I continue by trips to the EU driving my legal Spanish car and driving my English licence?     Hope you can advise

As long as you are non-resident in Spain, you can continue to drive.  The necessity to change licence only applies to those who are resident in Spain.

You shouldn’t need an International Driving Permit, (which is in effect a certified translation of your British licence) as your UK licence is in the correct format to be recognised HOWEVER, Guardia Civil are sometimes a law unto themselves and interpret laws their own way, so it wouldn’t hurt to carry an IDP as well (the correct one though - there’s two, one that is valid in France, the other that is valid in Spain and for the life of me I can’t recall the date for the Spanish one … 1969 possibly?)