Using UK driving licences in Spain
Using UK driving licences in Spain
Don't know if this is alarmist or based on any fact.
https://www.petrolprices.com/news/uk-li ... ed-brexit/
If it is correct then those of you who live in Spain and still use your UK driving licences the I suggest you change them to Spanish(EU) driving licences soon.
Cheers
Gerry
https://www.petrolprices.com/news/uk-li ... ed-brexit/
If it is correct then those of you who live in Spain and still use your UK driving licences the I suggest you change them to Spanish(EU) driving licences soon.
Cheers
Gerry
Gerry Harris
Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
I have read this in several places. The AA always supplied an IDP pre EU days. I remember having to obtain a green cars as well. The only people who it may cause problems for are the long stayers who are still on UK plates.
The Spanish hire companies have already said they will ignore the rule for UK citizens.
The Spanish hire companies have already said they will ignore the rule for UK citizens.
Last edited by costakid on Fri Mar 16, 2018 2:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
I though a driving licence was only "legal" if it had your correct address and had therefore assumed that if living in Spain a UK licence was invalid. Not so?
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
No, it is acceptable to have your old UK address on it when you move to Spain.
Sid
Sid
Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
If not planning to leave Spain why not just get a Spanish one. As for non-residents why would the EU bother. We Brits can drive in USA, Australia etc. with our UK licences.
Wonder which bright spark in Brussels thought up the "third country" tag, probably the commission for propaganda. I presume EU countries are the first Wonder what second countries are.
Wonder which bright spark in Brussels thought up the "third country" tag, probably the commission for propaganda. I presume EU countries are the first Wonder what second countries are.
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
please see citizens advice bureaux for more info.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/cab-s ... -licences/
https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/cab-s ... -licences/
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
What has that article got to do with the original question?
It’s also 3 years old.
Sid
It’s also 3 years old.
Sid
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
Sorry Sid, I attached the incorrect article. Here is the correct updated one.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/faq/c ... e-spanish/
David
https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/faq/c ... e-spanish/
David
Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
That link has nothing to do with my original question.
Cheers
Gerry
Cheers
Gerry
Gerry Harris
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
But not when you move in the UK: https://www.gov.uk/dvla-change-addressEl Cid wrote:No, it is acceptable to have your old UK address on it when you move to Spain.
Sid
"You must tell DVLA when your address changes so your driving licence, vehicle log book (V5C) and vehicle tax are up to date...Change the address on either:
your full driving licence
your provisional driving licence
It doesn’t cost anything to change your address with DVLA.
You can still drive while you’re waiting for your new licence...
...Before you start
You can be fined up to £1,000 if you don’t tell DVLA when your address changes."
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
Perfectly true but totally irrelevant as Gerry was specifically referring to people who LIVE IN SPAIN. They do not need the correct address on their licence.
It’s all in the FAQs viewtopic.php?f=42&t=27787 (last paragraph)
Sid
It’s all in the FAQs viewtopic.php?f=42&t=27787 (last paragraph)
Sid
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
Agreed. Just pointing it out for UK readers who may have not made the change. Also I guess it would be illegal if the Spanish resident used his unchanged UK licence when hiring or driving in the UK when going back for visits.
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
No, that is perfectly acceptable, if you were challenged about this (very unlikely) you just have to prove that you were not resident in the UK and there for a temporary visit.
Basically the police are only interested in whether you have a valid licence or not, it’s worth noting that if you have a Spanish licence there is no address on it.
I checked all this out personally with the DVLA before I wrote the FAQ.
Sid
Basically the police are only interested in whether you have a valid licence or not, it’s worth noting that if you have a Spanish licence there is no address on it.
I checked all this out personally with the DVLA before I wrote the FAQ.
Sid
Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
I've never had a problem in the UK when hiring cars.ashtondav wrote: Also I guess it would be illegal if the Spanish resident used his unchanged UK licence when hiring or driving in the UK when going back for visits.
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
No, you wouldn’t, although last time I was asked for my national insurance number when hiring in the UK. Where you would hit a potential problem would be if you had a minor(or major) traffic offence with police involvement. In fact unless police are involved you could merrily drive around with anyone's licence!
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
You seem determined to convince us that there are problems, imagined or otherwise, with a non resident using a UK licence in the UK. I specifically asked the DVLA for a ruling on this and this was their answer.
Providing your UK licence is still valid, you will be covered to drive when you return as a visitor even if it is displaying an old address.
Going back to the original address issue, this is exactly what they said.
Drivers who take up residence in another European Community/European Economic Area (EEC /EEA) country no longer have to exchange their driving licence, but may continue to drive using their own national licence for as long as it remains valid. You should, however, check with the appropriate driving licence authorities where you are now resident for information on any conditions that the host member state may stipulate.
National licences may only carry an address from the country which issued that licence. We are therefore unable to re-issue your British licence with an overseas address.
It is accepted that drivers who move to another part of the EC/EEA could be holding a licence showing an incorrect address.
This is permissible under the terms of the EC Directive on Driving Licences.
I hope you find this information helpful.
Providing your UK licence is still valid, you will be covered to drive when you return as a visitor even if it is displaying an old address.
Going back to the original address issue, this is exactly what they said.
Drivers who take up residence in another European Community/European Economic Area (EEC /EEA) country no longer have to exchange their driving licence, but may continue to drive using their own national licence for as long as it remains valid. You should, however, check with the appropriate driving licence authorities where you are now resident for information on any conditions that the host member state may stipulate.
National licences may only carry an address from the country which issued that licence. We are therefore unable to re-issue your British licence with an overseas address.
It is accepted that drivers who move to another part of the EC/EEA could be holding a licence showing an incorrect address.
This is permissible under the terms of the EC Directive on Driving Licences.
I hope you find this information helpful.
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
That's interesting, a couple of years ago a friend, who had lived here a few years, was fined 200 Euros for using a UK licence here.
Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
When you hire in the UK you are supposed to get a DVLC certificate to show you don't have any points on your UK licence as the paper copy is no longer valid, and you just have the card. I usually print it off the gov.uk siteashtondav wrote:No, you wouldn’t, although last time I was asked for my national insurance number when hiring in the UK.
https://www.viewdrivingrecord.service.g ... nce-number?
and for that I need my national insurance number as well as my driving licence number. Sometimes they've not wanted to see it, particularly since we've started using the same hire car company and they have all my details now logged into their system.
Thanks for the confirmation Sid. That's why I've not rushed to change mine until it expires.
Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
Depending on the licence codes (uk)on the back it may have been illegal. but more lilkely the guardia seem to make things up as they go along interms of driving licences.thats why its far easier to just change you licence. far easier than appealing a big finemarkwilding wrote:That's interesting, a couple of years ago a friend, who had lived here a few years, was fined 200 Euros for using a UK licence here.
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Re: Using UK driving licences in Spain
Wicksey - re “I've not rushed to change mine until it expires“
Be aware that the first thing to expire is the photo (assuming it is a photocard licence) and this can creep up on you. You are also obliged to have medicals to the same schedule as Spanish folk or your licence is not valid. If you are doing this then you may as well finish the job as change to a Spanish licence!
Be aware that the first thing to expire is the photo (assuming it is a photocard licence) and this can creep up on you. You are also obliged to have medicals to the same schedule as Spanish folk or your licence is not valid. If you are doing this then you may as well finish the job as change to a Spanish licence!
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