However, despite the British government having played its part and is reviewing the documentation submitted by the Spanish, but even if it works for the British, it is then again going to be in the hands of the Spanish to green light it and if they do not do so this week, talks could be postponed until September when Spain returns from its summer holidays.
The British embassy has said that it has a team prepared to negotiate through August, but are the Spanish willing to do the same or head off to the beach?
The British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, has spent months trying to reach a solution and is well aware of the frustration the problem is causing thousands of British residents but it appears that Spanish have their hands on the brake and are playing things by the EU rule book.
In his latest update last Friday, Elliott said: "We know there are lots of questions and concerns about the ongoing negotiations on driving licence exchange. We’ve rounded up the most common questions you’re sending in to provide you with more information, as well as an update on what’s happened this week.
We also know that all you want is to be back on the roads - and we want this too. We hope the below is helpful in providing transparency and understanding around the process.
When are we going to be able to drive again?
We don’t know for sure because it is a live negotiation, but the UK’s ambition is to reach a deal as soon as possible. We genuinely are making progress each week. For example, this week we have agreed the main text, which means there are only the annexes outstanding. We recognise it has been frustratingly slow though.
That said, it does appear that both sides are nearing a deal which would give British residents another period of six months to exchange their licence for a Spanish one.
7 comments
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Wake me up when reality hits. Oh, it already has. Café con leche por favor.
So IF he gets an extension of 6 months to change the driving license, it will be interesting to see how many will and how many will moan they can't drive on the UK one until that expire.
Ganja Pit Bull NutjobWhat can he do? Peeing into the wind! The UK made a choice and now the reality of that choice is playing out.
This is not a 'debacle'. As expats who lived here legally and had all our paperwork in order, we had until December 2020 to complete a relatively painless procedure to exchange our UK licences for Spanish ones. Very easy. Many chose not too do so. Well tough Sh**. If you choose to live in a foreign country then follow their rules or I suggest you return to the UK.
Ganja Pit Bull NutjobSure, Mr Elliot could have got something done months and months ago. The thing is, if the British license driving community would like something different to a "no you can't" and would like the possibility to be able to change their licenses to a Spanish EU licenses then agreements do take time. So yeah, you can have yourself a firm "no!" if you would want a resolution to the answer today.
I think Hugh Elliott is a bit of a wet fish. Doesn't seem to get much done.
"When are we going to be able to drive again?" That depends on how soon you get a driving licence. You will need to do that, regardless of how the "negotiations" end up. Afterwards, you can drive all you want. The sooner, the better.