The end is in sight to the long running dispute over British driving licences in Spain. Spain does not recognise UK licences which has left many British expats in the slow lane, but this could all change in a matter of days.
The British Embassy has issued the following statement on its social media sites:
"Driving licence exchange*
Following the ambassador’s last message, both the legal and political approvals are under way. We can’t yet provide a date when the process will be complete, but once we have further information we will let you know. In the meantime, here are provisional answers to some of the questions you have asked about what we expect to happen next.
What happens after the agreement is published in the BOE?
Once the Agreement is finalised and published in the BOE (Spanish state bulletin) you will be able to drive for six months on your valid UK licence, during which time you will need to exchange it for a Spanish one to be able to continue driving. After that six months, you will no longer be able to drive on your UK licence, but will be able to continue to exchange it for a Spanish one. When we say UK licence we mean any valid licence issued by the DVLA (Great Britain licensing authority), DVA (Northern Ireland licensing authority) or Gibraltar licensing authority.
I understand I have to take a psicotecnico test (psychophysical aptitude test). What does that involve?
The psicotecnico test is a short test to check your eyesight and reactions. You may also have a brief interview with a doctor. You will need a certificate showing you have passed the test in order to exchange your licence. It is valid for three months. There are a wide range of providers and you can find the official list at:
https://www.dgt.es/.../centros-reconocimiento-conductores/
Will UK driving licences as a result of an exchange of a licence obtained by a test in a third country be exchanged? (For example, I took my driving test in Australia and converted my Australian licence to a UK one when I lived there)
You should be able to exchange a UK licence obtained as a result of exchange with a third country as long as Spain also has a driving licence exchange agreement with that country. In the example, Spain does not have an exchange agreement with Australia, so you would not be able to exchange it if your licence was originally granted there.
What types of licences can be exchanged?
You can exchange any valid UK car (category B) licence and we expect that many other licence categories can be exchanged too, including mopeds and motorcycles. Further details of all categories will be available when the agreement is published.
3 comments
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BrisketThere has, always been a simple route to a driving licence. Some Brits just found it inconvenient. This will make it more convenient, although nobody ever prevented any eligible person from getting one. Perhaps some just weren't eligible? One does need to be officially resident - another "inconvenience"?
"After that six months, you will no longer be able to drive on your UK licence, but will be able to continue to exchange it for a Spanish one" This is the most sensible change yet. It's always seemed strange to put a time limit on exchanging the licence. It seems perfectly reasonable to restrict driving after the six months and having to take a simple test to show physical and mental aptitude seems fine too. If I'm understanding this correctly it seems like a good way forward at last and won't leave anyone without a route to getting a licence if or when then need one, whilst at the same time alleviating pressure from the Spanish system by insisting they retest large numbers of foreign drivers. This is all looking a little more positive for everyone.
What? I have to get *another* Spanish driving licence, just because I'm British?