But all your doubts will be solved soon. To learn more about the main rules you should take into account while driving in Spain, read the article about Driving in Barcelona, things you need to know. Taxes in Spain for Expats: For Residents and Non-Residents, Legal: Civil, Family and Labour Law in Spain. arrange for a canje/exchange (voluntary exchange) where your new Spanish licence will have the same end date of your present one. The most common types of driving licences are the following: Car licences (B, B1 and BE), which can be obtained from the age of 18 and are valid for ten years. The Brexit Agreement recognises UK licences as equivalent, however each member state has to put in place their own arrangement with UK for licence exchange. The last date for Spanish residents with a UK driving licence to register their intent to exchange for a Spanish licence (without taking a test) was 30th December 2020. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There are some other countries that have agreements with Spain related to driving licenses, but you have to be aware that you are only allowed to exchange your license if your country . Protects the personal information printed. Many Brits have been left unable to drive legally in Spain since May 1 when the deadline to exchange driving licences following the pre-Brexit process expired after Spain refused to extend the . If your licence doesn't expire in less than 15 years, you can carry on using your EU licence, but are also free to exchange it any time you want. It is possible to exchange it, if you can provide: 1.-. The British authorities have issued an update about the negotiations with their counterparts in Spain over UK driving licences this morning, Friday 5 August, but the message was basically that there is nothing to report. Expats looking to make impactful investments, Expats warned to shore-up wealth ahead of recession, Croatia best country to retire to as expat: ranking, Sardinia could pay you 15,000 to move there. In Portugal it is called an "atestado mdico eletrnico" (digital medical certificate). I accept the terms and conditions of this website. Nonetheless, we are working hard to come to an agreement with the Spanish Government. The licences issued in 2021 by the UK were valid until 28 February 2022, and are no longer valid for driving in Spain after that date. Because it is very likely that the driving license you obtained in your country of origin is not valid in the Spanish territory, and hence, But all your doubts will be solved soon. 22 November 2021 Driving licence exchange for UK nationals - please note that this is brand new information. Your email address will not be published. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". When driving in Spain, you must have the IDP to assist foreign agents in validating your license. You can drive in Spain using a foreign driving license for a set period, after which foreigners must obtain a Spanish driving license. If your European licence expires, you must renew it in order to continue driving. The British authorities have issued an update about the negotiations with their counterparts in Spain over UK driving licences this morning, Friday 5 August, but the message was basically that there is nothing to report. Also in anticipation of an agreement for the U.K. licence, This is not a post advising that U.K. licences can be exchanged at present but advisory only so that you can be prepared.. DGT website also available in English, French and German. In the previous section we have established that if you are from a country outside the European Union and you are going to reside legally in Spain, you must exchange your drivers license (although we also recommend you to do so if you are an EU citizen). This medical certificate must be specific to the driving license. We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audience is coming from. +34936315139 +34936315139 info@balcellsgroup . You can make your appointment here. Spain, at the moment, is refusing to recognise British driving licences which has left many expats in the slow lane. The 'grace period' when UK driving licences will be eligible for British expats residing in Spain has been extended to 28 February 2022, the British Embassy in Madrid has confirmed. However, there is an exception, since in the case of being in the country as a tourist (for example, if you are in Spain on vacation for 2 weeks) you could drive with a license obtained in a non-EU country and the exchange procedure would not be necessary. The update which came courtesy of the British Embassy in Spain's Facebook page was aimed at those who had previously registered to exchange their licence before December 30, 2020. 2021 You will have to renew this licence every 10 years until the age 65 and every 5 years after age of 65. Your European driving licence will be valid in Spain as long as it is current. If you hold a driving license from the US (United States of America) and you intend to drive in Spain for longer than 6 months then you must take a Spanish driving test to exchange your licence. It is specially designed to provide its users with general information. Can I drive a vehicle in Spain with a drivers license from my country of origin? ctx.getRequest().getScheme(). Countries with an agreement with Spain that allow an easy exchange, Proof of having been employed as a professional driver for a period of not less than 6 months by companies legally established or with a branch in Spain, Not to be deprived of the right to drive motor vehicles and mopeds, nor to be subject to suspension or administrative intervention of your permit or license, Pass an aptitude and behavior control test on roads open to traffic, It is worth mentioning, first of all, that, Once you have prepared and gathered all the documentation, you can proceed with the license exchange. Driving In Spain: UK Nationals Must Exchange Licences By June 30 Expat Tips Published: 09 April 2021 12:18 CET Updated: 22 June 2022 12:18 CET. The UK Government has engaged in these negotiations in good faith and ensured that Spanish drivers in the UK have, as always, encountered no limitations nor inconvenience in their ability to drive. Renew or exchange the license after two years. In general, licenses from other European Union or European Economic Area countries can be exchanged for a Spanish license as long as certain conditions are met. license, whether issued in Spain or in another EU country, British expats slam Spanish authorities over driving licence chaos - 'can't blame Brexit' British drivers in Spain have been updated on the driving licence situation which has been ongoing . For new arrivals, driving licences issued by the British authorities will . German driving licences are valid for 15 years from the date of issue. Harmonised European model. Help the refugees. Material. Spanish driving licence we would be glad to help! /pag_Home/en/Tu-espacio-europeo/derechos-obligaciones/ciudadanos/vehiculos/permiso-conduccion/validez-canje-reconocimiento.html Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Once you get an appointment (something that may delay you for 2-3 months), the process is quite fast. Up to 12 weeks in total, depending on how quickly the DVLA (aka DVSA) take to respond to the DGT in Spain. What driving licences can you use in Spain? All rights reserved. Those who are under 18 cannot drive legally in Spaineven if they hold a legal license from their home country. An international driver's license in Spain, officially known as the International Driving Permit (IDP), is a document that translates the information from your U.S. driver's license into Spanish. If someone else is going to complete the procedure on your behalf, please . Due to Brexit, Brits who were living in Spain before January 1 2021 and who wanted to keep driving legally were required to exchange their UK licence for a Spanish one by giving their licence details to the Dirrecin General de Trfico (DGT), Spain's vehicle and licencing body, before December 31 2020. If your country is on the list, good news: you will be able to exchange your permit easily. Make sure you request the option Driving licence renewal (EU/EEA only) (renovacin de permisos de conduccin: solo UE/EEE). You need to exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one if you:-. electronically to the Provincial Traffic Headquarters. While the UK was . You will have to do it the "Spanish" way. If the new licence was not applied for before 31 December 2020, the person in question will have to obtain a new Spanish driving licence. This renewal involves exchanging your licence for a Spanish one. DEBBIE BARTLETT Malaga Friday, 5 August 2022, 13:11. For holders of UK driving licences, to drive in Spain as a resident in Spain, after the end of the Brexit Withdrawal Agreement transition period (December 31, 2020), it is necessary to change your UK driving licence for a Spanish one. For EU/EEA Countries: Click Here for direct link to . Mohamed Mohamed el-Amir Awad el-Sayed Atta (/ t / AT-ah; Arabic: [mmmd elmi wd essj.jed t]; September 1, 1968 - September 11, 2001) was an Egyptian hijacker and the ringleader of the September 11 attacks in 2001 in which four United States airliners were commandeered with the . This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Written declaration of not being the holder of another driving permit or If you are going to exchange a European driving license, check the box "canje de permiso de conduccin europeo", as the process will be much faster. You will have to go to the DGT on the appointed day where you will receive your provisional license, and 3 months later you will receive your Spanish license at your home address. The EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway); and is ordinarily resident in Spain. If an EU license is renewed in Spain, it converts it into a Spanish license, which then needs to be renewed every 10 years. Proof of identity and residence: National Identity Card or Driving licences issued by the British authorities will be valid for driving in Spain for a . Format. However, Spain has agreements with a limited list of countries to make this exchange faster and easier, such as Brazil, Argentina, Andorra or Panama (among many others). Note: the list of countries sharing exchange agreements does change. Required fields are marked *. I want to sign up to the newsletter! from your registration as a resident in Spain. document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Based in Barcelona, with over 40 years of professional experience, Balcells Group Lawyers provides expert legal advice and services specialised in the areas of Immigration, Tax, Business and Legal, Rambla de Catalunya, 124, 1-208008 Barcelona (Spain)+34 936 31 51 39, Monday Thursday | 9:00 18:00Friday | 9:00 17:00, Services|News|Contact| About |Legal Notice | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy, document.write(new Date().getFullYear()); Balcells Group | All Rights Reserved | Site by INZONE, If you are a foreigner in Spain and would like to drive keep reading. country, together with the Certificate of Registration in As you know, one of the key actions for UK Nationals living in Spain is to exchange your UK driving licence for a Spanish one, but recently a lack of appointments has made this difficult. However, if the DGT cannot trace valid information, you must bring corroborating documentation. You will receive your definitive licence in approximately one-and-a-half months. Security overlay: polyester layer that incorporates special adhesive material. This includes taking a driving test. Relocation & paperwork Services! Those with licences from the EU and the EEA are allowed to drive in Spain with their current licences, as long as they have not expired. There is no other alternative. Spain now extends UK driving licence validity until 30 April. If you did not register with DGT before 30 December 2020 and wish to obtain a Spanish driving licence now, you should follow the DGT process for non-EU nationals. It is worth mentioning, first of all, that the process may vary depending on your country of origin (especially in terms of the tests that must be taken), so we recommend that you first consult with an expert before starting the process. Driving licence exchange. Overlay: transparent layer that protects the information printed using colour sublimation. Speaking about the ongoing negotiations, the British Embassy in Spain said: "We know that many of you continue to have questions, concerns and frustrations about the ongoing negotiations on driving licence exchange.". Also, if your driving licence has expired or is about to expire, as a Spanish resident you should renew it in Spain. Fill in the following form and we will get in touch with you as soon as possible: immigrationbusinesstaxesreal estategeneral legal doubt. The licence holder or any appointed proxy must lodge the renewal application. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Can you drive in Spain with your current driving license? To renew you just need to make an appointment at your local driving licence authority before your current licence expires. You can check if your country is on the list here. They . If you are a foreigner in Spain and would like to drive keep reading. Timescales may vary depending on region, timeframes depend on the current workload of each individual office and how they communicate with the DVLA (DVSA). If you are not one of them, it is necessary to take the relevant driving tests in Spain. We understand that some UK Nationals are currently unable to drive whilst we are negotiating with the Spanish. Before entering fully into the exchange process and its details, there is a crucial factor to take into account. Mixed sheet of PVC and polycarbonate coreMade up of five layers:- Holographic protection layer- PVC overlay- Polycarbonate core- Special PVC overlay, laser characters- Transparent protection layer. UK driving licence swap update + Driving in Spain + Moving to Spain Q&A . If pre-registered, you then had until 31st December 2021 to actually make the . Driving licenses for people over 65 are valid for: If you have a driving license valid indefinitely issued in another EU country The legal age for driving in Spain, as in any other European country, is 18. the Central Register of Foreigners for EU foreigners; You get in a center of recognition of drivers, and the center sends it List of EU/EEA member states. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Since the beginning of 2022, residents in Spain with a UK driving licence, haven't been able to exchange to a Spanish driving licence unless they took a Spanish driving test. If you lived in Spain before 1 January 2021 and registered your details and intention to exchange with the DGT before 30 December 2020, you should have requested an appointment with the DGT (traffic authority) to exchange your UK licence by 31 December 2021. If you wish to exchange your driving licence for an equivalent Irish driving licence, you must do so within 10 years of your driving licence expiring. Driving licence renewal in another EU country. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. in Spain. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. The printed words can only be read with a special lens. After 2 years of usual residence, if you have a driving licence with an indefinite validity period (only if this is required by the national authorities in the country where you live) You commit a traffic offence in the country where you live. Theyre not going to be able to drive down here, and they [the police] will be checking that. He added: My understanding is that they are checking up on British-registered vehicles and it will be up to the owner of the vehicle to demonstrate how long its been registered here, not up to the Guardia Civil to prove that theyve been here over the time allocated.. administracion.gob.es The last date for Spanish residents with a UK driving license to register their intent to ex-change for a Spanish license was 30th December 2020. If you move to another EU country and your driving licence expires, you will have to renew it there if that is where you have your normal residence.. No matter the type of driving licence you have - old or new style format-, you will be issued with the new standard format licence (plastic, credit card sized photo card) when you renew it. British citizens with a UK driving license residing in Spain, cannot exchange their driving license for a Spanish one. Produce evidence of having been employed as a professional driver for a period of not less than 6 months by a company or companies legally established or with a branch in spain. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. Size. /, En lo posible, para la resolucin de litigios en lnea en materia de consumo conforme Reglamento (UE) 524/2013, se buscar la posibilidad que la Comisin Europea facilita como plataforma de resolucin de litigios en lnea y que se encuentra disponible en el enlace, New message from UK authorities about driving licence exchange in Spain, 'We are nearly there,' says ambassador, but still with no date for driving licence deal, Some British residents forced to stop driving as right to use a UK licence ends. N.B. My licence is not an EU licence If your licence is not an EU licence - including those from the USA, Canada, Australia and the UK, you may legally drive in Spain with that licence for up to six months, so long as it is valid.Thereafter, you have to have acquired a new Spanish driving licence by taking the Spanish driving test (theory and practical) - unless there is an exchange agreement such . Unin Europea Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional "Una manera de hacer Europa", Validity and exchange of an EU driving licence, COVID-19 health crisis. Can You Drive in Spain with a Canadian license? If you hold a driving license from Canada and you intend to drive in Spain for longer than 6 . Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. The licence you held is exchanged for the equivalent Spanish licence. from another EU country and was As of February 2022 the validity of UK Driving Licences has . The exchange means we replace the driving licence you held with an equivalent Spanish licence. The reality is that, if you are a foreigner legally residing in Spain, you cannot drive a vehicle with the drivers license you got in your country of origin. But an agreement that would see British residents able to exchange their licences for Spanish licences without taking a test remains unclear at this stage. Important warning . Driving license: original and photocopy force, updated Color Photography 32mm x26 mm, completed and signed photo (provided on the Traffic Headquarters). . the same class as requested. However, if you do not belong to any of the territories with an agreement, the exchange is still possible but in a more complex way. No need to complete paper forms, make appointments or visit an NDLS centre . Can I exchange my UK driving licence for a Spanish one 2021? A fee is payable for this procedure. It continues to be a top priority for the UK. Simply select the office that is nearest you, check the option canjes de permisos de conduccin, select your country of origin and be patient, as it is very likely that it will take some time to find an available time slot. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. If someone else is going to complete the procedure on your behalf, please state the applicants and the proxys identity card numbers when you telephone 060 to book the appointment. "DRIVING IN SPAIN. By renewing an EU driving license in Spain, it is converted into a Spanish license, which then has to be prolonged every 10 years, and every 5 years after the age of 65. . Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Guidance for UK driving licence holders living in Greece or Italy also updated. Your email address will not be published. foreignlicence.com and associated websites. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Passport; Residence permit or identity card or passport of your Exchanging a non-EU licence for a Spanish licence In the background design, on both the front and back of the card. 90km/h on out-of-town roads. Visitors interact with the Provincial traffic in your browser only with your consent with UK posted on its Facebook. Is much simpler to follow than obtaining a new licence before your current licence expires further information, must. Comply can result in on-the-spot fines or worse licence authority before your current licence expires a test some nationalities allowed. Governments have finally reached a deal was supposed to be back on progress! 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