latest on the crazy driving licence situation

Last update from HMA was that the “final details” were being worked out ready to be submitted for legal and political approval, and more documents were expected this week.  He “hoped” an agreement would be signed off by end of July, but don’t hold your breath for that one as the Congress of Deputies goes on vacation end of July / August and nothing will be signed until early September.

I’m afraid to continue driving now, you’ll need to do a test

Should be another update today hopefully.

thanks  Dario,thats a great help, I will just have to wait,65 now and not fancy starting from scratch especially all in spanish

i will be keeping an eye out for your up date on this  you seem to be on the ball!!!!

many thanks Dario regards DaveW

Hi Maggie B , thanks for your reply to my question   I will just have to wait for the boys to get their

act together and get this done!  best wishes to all who are waiting just like me

many thanks maggie  ,,,,,,,,dave w

Wait! I am a little confused here. The UK nation voted for Brexit and then they got Brexit and then didn't Boris later demand "Let's get Brexit done." Didn't Boris also inform Brits in Spain that the Spaniards would negotiate with the UK government for major issues for those Brits living in Spain. But, nobody told the Spaniards. So what's this "crazy driving licence situation ?" The Spaniards didn't cause it. Why should they negotiate? What's the difference in say somebody from Zimbabwe applying to have a Zimbabwe driving licence legalised in Spain?

And if you are a Brexiteer, why are you reticent to do a driving test in Spain? Do you think just because you're a card carrying member of the Tories you should be exempt? 

Just remind me, Who are the "Crazy" ones? - Even Manuel (from Barcelona) wouldn't have voted for Brexit.

Totally agree great post again Mathew keep it up 

An interesting situation.  On exiting the EU, Spain lost all access to DVLA that it had had with UK as an EU member.  The UK government at the time did promise that nothing would change, Brits would still be able to work, live and indeed drive in the EU as they had before Brexit.

That was of course, a lie.  Or incredible incompetence.  Looking at recent events, I must admit I would err towards the latter as the root cause, although I am sure the former played some part when realisation finally dawned.

That aside though, Spain bent over backwards and did not immediately invalidate British licences, instead extending and extending periods of validity while  talks "progressed".  It became apparent though that the main sticking point was immediate / roadside DVLA access.  Spain receives a great many British tourists / visitors that drive and indeed has a great many British migrants living here ... some of whom have lived here many years and have not yet changed licences and indeed some of whom continue to drive British registered cars.  As a consequence, Spanish authorities wanted to be able to check at a roadside stop whether a particular vehicle was taxed / MOT'd etc and whether a licence was in fact valid or disqualified / suspended.

This access was something DVLA drew a line in the sand at and talks stalled; it was at this point Spanish authorities kind of lost patience and said "enough" and announced the end of validity of British licences for British residents of Spain - tourists were of course unaffected, not even needing an IDP.

At this point, it seems further pressure was brought to bear as DVLA suddenly reversed its position and the main stumbling block was removed.  Being able to then move forward, it was a case of dotting the "i"s and crossing the "t"s.  I have not as yet seen any further update from HMA but one is due out soon.  Further documentation was expected from Spain this week past and once everything was finalised, it would be sent for legal and political ratification.  As soon as Ink goes on to the signature block of the agreement, British licences should become valid again and British residents SHOULD be able to swap licences as they did before.  Please note use of "should".  As anyone who has spent any time here knows, what "should" happen and what is actually interpreted as the rules can often be two very different things.

Two things to note - it will need a legal go ahead before it can be sent to the congress of deputies for ratification, and Congress of Deputies goes on vacation until September very very soon.  I'm not saying it definitely won't be signed by end of July, just that with each passing day it becomes more and more unlikely.

The other thing to remember is that it won't be an open ended use of UK licences for British Residents of Spain - there will be a certain time period in which they will be obliged to offer their licence for swap - 6 months? 12 months? no idea - I'd be guessing at 6 months though, and I'd also imagine that the moment there is an agreement in place, DGT will be swamped with applications to swap, and if that DOES happen in July / August, you'll lose 2 or 3 months of your 6 months straight away because NOTHING official happens in Spain in August. DGT / Extranjeria / Gobierno all go on vacaciones, and on return waiting list for appointments in some areas will be ... extreme

We can say with some degree of certainty that it IS going to happen - eventually .... just don't expect plain sailing and an easy licence swap, because you will likely be disappointed.

once again thanks to the very informative Dario Martin,I have problem waiting for the appropriate  documents  to be put in place.I am a new resident here since JAN 2022,and appreciate 

all the replies to my post .thanks Mojacar Forum and will continue to follow the very informative Dario on this subject 

       regards to all dave65

should have read I have no problem waiting for the appropriate  documents  typo error 

apologies