Drivers License
I have a valid full Irish driving license which expires in Aug 2023.
1. Can I use this when I arrive in Spain?
2. Can I transfer it to a Spanish license?
3. Do I have to do a Spanish driving test at any stage?
Pat
I have a valid full Irish driving license which expires in Aug 2023.
1. Can I use this when I arrive in Spain?
2. Can I transfer it to a Spanish license?
3. Do I have to do a Spanish driving test at any stage?
Pat
Hi,
What interesting questions. Are you North or South? Then what will happen post-Brexit & any honeymoon.period?
We are Brits. & processed UK license to Spanish but to do that needed to be Residents with Residencia.
Then there is quite a lot about acquiring an International Driving License from a UK Post Office but ensure it's for the correct country.
Will you be purchasing a Spanish Plated car or driving your own here?
If hiring then check requirement with hire-car Company.
For the former you will need an NIE.
Sorry but this raises so many questions in return.
Once out of EU, yes you will need to take a Spanish Driving Test to obtain a Spanish license which is why so many are now processing and Trafico.is backlogged.
Can I close by giving you the e mail address of Ana at our Solicitors. She speaks/ types flawless English.
Should be definitive if.you are from the Republic but with NI think so much is still.not clear. ( in.spite of us.being bombarded by various information on numerous forums.
There's also Citizens advice on
Best Wishes,
Bob and Sandra
Mojacar Playa and Puerto Lumbreras
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:46am
Many thanks for your response.
I am from the Republic of Ireland.
I would be buying a car with Spanish plates.
So I need to be resident before I can get a drivers license.
And as advised here by another forum member it takes 10 years for an EU citizen to get residency.
I better send an email to your recommended solicitor as this driving license issue could be a game changer for me.
I'd have to be able to buy a car and drive it.
Thanks again for your help.
Pat
Really sorry not more informative but being in The Republic means you will still.be in Europe post this Brexit Fiasco so it may just be an NIE initially with a Spanish car and International.Driving Licence but Ana will advise. There is a ruling that as and when.you get your Residencia you have 6 or 9 months to get a Spanish License if driving a Spanish registered vehicle. UK effectively becomes a third world nation.or something when we leave. No change there then!!!!!!
Saludos,
Bob and Sandra
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Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 12:28pm
Many thanks Bob and Sandra.
Have sent an email to your recommended solicitor Ana who I have already been in touch with via another recommendation from Steven in VIP Almeria.
Will see what she says.
Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2019 8:38pm
Legendary helpful member
Irish Pat wrote on Sun Apr 14, 2019 11:46am:
Many thanks for your response.
I am from the Republic of Ireland.
Read more...
I would be buying a car with Spanish plates.
So I need to be resident before I can get a drivers license.
And as advised here by another forum member it takes 10 years for an EU citizen to get residency.
I better send an email to your recommended solicitor as this driving license issue could be a game changer for me.
I'd have to be able to buy a car and drive it.
Thanks again for your help.
Pat
Hi Pat, me again - to clear up confusion, you can apply for Residencia the moment you arrive (and have an address :-D). It’s Spanish Citizenship (Spanish passport, ability to vote in Spanish elections etc etc) that will take 10 years from legal residency - i.e. Residencia. Being from ROÍ and therefore in EU, you will automatically get permanent residence status after 5 years of residencia.
Residencia gets you your NIE and allows you to stay in Spain longer than 90 days. To be clear, Residencia can be applied for immediately - and indeed should be if you intend to spend more than 90 days in the country in any 180 day period.
With regards a driving licence, once you have obtained Residencia, you are obliged to swap to a Spanish Licence. You won’t need to resit a driving test, merely do a medical / co-ordination test (costs about 50€) and your Spanish Licence will arrive in the post in less than 3 months.
On arrival, as you are an EU Citizen, you will be able to drive a Spanish plated car on your Irish licence without an IDP as it is an EU licence - hope that helps
Posted: Mon Apr 15, 2019 6:48am
Dario,
Many thanks for the clarification.
That sets my mind at ease.
Kindest regards
Pat
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