Driving as a new resident

Hi there

It is true

Regards 

yes I am afraid that Brexit has made it very difficult now to drive here.  If you are a resident you have to have a Spanish licence and now the exchange of the UK one has ended and it means that you have to take driving lessons and pass the Spanish test to get a licence.  Of course if you are not a resident you can drive on your Uk licence and possibly an International licence ,but I don't think that's needed here at the moment.  Not many driving schools here are jumping up to say we speak English and will do the lessons etc so not sure what people are going to do about it.  When you watch the cars with the learners, which are always full because it is cheaper to have the whole car occupied whilst they take turns driving, and the instructors with arms out the windows and not taking much notice of the learner driver you wonder how they ever pass a test.  But then they drive badly most of the time here anyway!    

Don't think it's Brexit to blame.  If you're a Spanish resident you have to have a Spanish driving licence.  

No but Brexit is the cause of no longer being able to swap a UK licence for a Spanish Carnet de Conducir.

To the OP, as it stands right now, yes, if you had not registered to swap your licence before 31/12/20, then you will be obliged to sit a Spanish driving test to get a Spanish licence, and yes, if you are resident, a Spanish licence is mandatory.

There ARE “talks” happening regarding the ability to exchange a UK licence for a Spanish one, but at the moment it’s just talk with nothing concrete or even hopeful forthcoming.

Hi i just read your reply as i too am looking to re locate and cant devide whetger to bring a car or not as thought of taking a driving test in spain fills me with dread. Do you have to take lessons&then a test or just a test as i have been told they do an eye test then the test is done via a console system?? Very confusing😁

The test you describe is that that was required when swapping a licence - eye test and a console-based co-ordination test.

Now though, you will be obliged to take lessons with an accredited driving school, then take the Spanish driving test.

Hi thank you that will make a big difference now as to where i locate as didnt want to start the stress of driving lessons etc at my age lol. I want to leave stress behind so looks like i will have to get an bicycle that turns electric for longer journeys and use public transport or taxis for when doing a big food shop. 

Just to clarify as i will be a EU member(EU passport) will i still have to take a test or can i just change driving license to an EU driving license??

Hi im in similar situation as last thing i want to do is start taking driving lessons&taking tests when i re locate.