For those residents who failed to meet the Spanish deadline to exchange their licences for a Spanish one, they still cannot drive on their UK licence - this does not apply to holidaymakers hiring a car.
However, the ambassador said that while he is all too aware of the frustration and stress the situation is causing many British residents, talks are ongoing - he said it is top of the list of issues at the embassy in Madrid.
Elliott also said that, while he cannot give a running account of developments, talks are very much alive and that a deal is close to being reached.
The deal appears to be a six-month grace period during which time British residents will be able to exchange their licence for a Spanish one.
He stressed that we are talking weeks not months and that the embassy and London are doing all they can to reach a quick and satisfactory solution. Progress is being made to get everyone back on the road, said the ambassador.
As it seems unlikely that Spain will agree to UK driving licences being valid again for British residents, it will be a case of exchange or take a Spanish driving test.
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@les Yes, of course. If you have a NIE number (and if you own a property, you would have), and the car is registered in your name, then your UK licence is perfectly valid, as long as you can prove you're not here for more than 90 days in a year. The Spanish licence requirement only applies to permanent residents. Again, as it does anywhere else in the world.
Are non resident British car owners that have invested in a holiday property, now allowed to drive their Spanish registered cars? It may be of more expense, but I would drive my own car, than a hire car every time to my resort when I visit Mallorca.
@jack It seems you're the perfect target of this misinformation campaign. It seems to suggest that UK drivers licences aren't valid in Spain, however, that's not what it's about, and UK driving licences are perfectly valid in Spain, and aren't under any such threat. The issue is about residency. Like everywhere else in the world, including the UK, if you obtain permanent residency and want to legally drive, then you must obtain a Spanish driving licence. Just as you would need to obtain a UK driving licence when you live in the UK. There's nothing unusual about that. The irony (and exceptionalism) here is obvious. British residents legally living here have been given every opportunity to exchange their licence for a Spanish one. The process was fairly straightforward. But many Brits living here were never legally registered as resident, and so they never bothered to exchange it. Now, they want just keep on living as an eternal tourist, off the books, off the radar. Apparently, it's their "right", although ironically, you wouldn't be allowed to do that in Britain. But you know, we're special. And that's what it's about.
Rich Jack'3rd world countries' ? Seriously? In the last few years I've spent time in Birmingham, Middlesbrough, Blackpool, Burnley, Portsmouth, Southampton, Liverpool and Manchester. They're far more run down than any city in Spain I've visited. As for the UK's trains and roads . . .
Aww shucks. So, you still can't live here without getting a Spanish licence? Hardly a "deal". We want it all. And now. I wish for the good ol' days, when you could live here as an eternal tourist, drive your RHD car on a UK licence, rent your flat out to tourists when you're not here, and pocket the cash tax free... as if you don't exist. Sadly, those days are gone. Anybody know another paradise where I can live full time while pretending to be a tourist?
Are spanish driving licences valid in the UK? If so then eff you spain. From what I've read spanish licences are valid until the age of 70 in the UK. It's about time the uk started to let 3rd world countries where they stand.