International Driving Permit

You can drive in Spain on your UK driving licence as a visitor.  If it's a hire car that is pretty obvious to any of the authorities.  If however, you are driving a Spanish car that is not hired it is probably best to have proof of your non residents status, together with the other driving documents you must carry in Spain.  ( There is an ongoing issue if you are resident and have not exchanged your driving licence, that is a topic that is well documented elsewhere and I won't rehash it.)

You do not need an IDP although, some hire car companies are asking for them.  Personally, I would find a different company but that is just me!.  As far as the Guardia are concerned, they are also wrong ( good luck with arguing your case with the men in green). An IDP is available at the post office in the UK and costs £5.50 (plus what your photos cost). 

One little addition to the above is if you're still in possession of the old paper licence, rather than a photocard licence then it is arguable that you do need an IDP 

Hope this helps K 

This has always been the case.

You can get them from the Post Office, you will need a passport photo to go on the permit.

If driving in France you may want to consider getting one for France these are different permits!

From memory the permit for Spain is Permit September 1949 and the French permit is November 1968

But check with the Post Office

Thank you lexszur and LosPardoslady for your prompt replies. It was my understanding that an IDP wasn't required but this person was insistent that it was and as I have been driving over here for two weeks I was concerned. 

BillD

I can confirm IDP is not required for UK tourist driving in Spain.  As you are here already, you can’t get an IDP anyway as the IDP cannot be used in the country of issue.

Agree that it’s better to be on the safe side and get one before you come over next time as Guardia sometimes have a very … wide … interpretation of the laws

I totally agree with you.great advise.

Yes dario i totally agree with you on this."But let's pick on the brits.". Totally out of order but like you say for £5. Cover your back and don't give them an excuse!!...as a tourist you ain't got a chance never mind trying to understand them.i will always carry a IDP from now on when I'm driving in Spain as a holiday home owner after reading these posts in the past 12mths.Were just easy Targets at min and WE Don't have a leg to stand on if you get a Disgruntled guardia civil.

This is a serious issue and should be highlighted a lot more on this site.

There making the rules up to suit themselves at present and you won't have a leg to stand on.And can be a very expensive lesson for the sake of a  £5.00.IDP that can be bought from a post office before you arrive in Spain.

Glad I read this thread, coming over in 2 days, knew I didn’t need one but now off to the Post Office to cover every eventuality! Thank you , advice on here had to be worth £5.50!