Driving licenses and medicals

[tjtops]

Please can anyone give me the definitive answer (or link) to the following:
How long can you drive in Spain on a UK (EU) licence (if you're resident here)?
When/if you need medicals (and how to go about it)?
Is it worth changing to a Spanish licence (if not compulsory)? And if you do, how often do you need medicals?

[hillybilly]

Did you read viewtopic.php?f=22&t=19798 from last year? Some of your questions will no doubt have been answered in there.

[Jool]

From British Consulate website in Spain

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for ... spain/cars

UK driving licences

UK driving licences issued from 1990 and the photocard licence issued from 1997 are accepted in Spain. The minimum age required to drive is 18 years. For information about the photocard driving licence please visit the DVLA website.

Licences issued before 1990 are only accepted if accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (available from the Spanish Embassy in London and the Real Automóvil Club de España if the licence holder is already in Spain). Holders of these may prefer to use an International Licence issued anywhere outside Spain.

You may keep your UK licence (if issued after 1990) or exchange it for a Spanish one, subject to the same medical examinations as Spanish nationals[/u]. It is advisable to exchange UK licences for Spanish ones (which are valid for visits to the UK). The DVLA won't put a non-UK address on a replacement licence, or send one out of the UK. Therefore, if your UK licence is lost or stolen in Spain, you will not be able to obtain a replacement licence from the UK. Spanish authorities will not be able to replace one they did not issue. For information on how to apply for a Spanish driving licence, please contact the Jefatura Provincial de Trafico in your area.
Spanish driving licence renewals

Spanish driving licences are valid for ten years if the licence holder is under 45, 5 years from 45 to 70 years and two years thereafter. To renew a licence the applicant needs a medical certificate issued by an officially recognised centre.[/b][/color]

[tjtops]

Thanks guys...superstars indeed!

[hillybilly]

We know

[janda_grant2]

We know

Modest as well!

[Campo Steve]

I think one of the main advantages of changing over to a Spanish licence is as mentioned in the British Consulate web site. If you keep your UK licence but lose it then it can be difficult getting a replacement, unless, of course, you have left a UK address on the licence.

[Jool]

Actually it was the gals who replied!!!!!

[tjtops]

Well I'm not sexist!!!