Stephen GrimmerThat must be new. When I became a Spanish resident, I had to do it within 6 months. Nonetheless, the UK is no longer an EU member. And getting a Spanish licence isn't prohibitively difficult.

Morgan Williams"if you choose to live here permanently, ultimately, you'll need to get a Spanish driving licence. No matter what nationality you are." ULTIMATELY, yes, but EU citizens can drive indefinitely on their home licences until these expire (so up to 10 years). The issue is their renewal, which is a mere formality (simply old for new if under 70.) If you are actually resident when the old one expires you have to apply for the renewal in Spain. Applies in whatever country you are currently resident in, across the EU.

I just noticed an amusing poll that the MDB started some time ago. "Should British driving licences be recognised in Spain? " Yes/no. Erm, yeah. They are and always have been recognised. There's no such issue to vote on. Surprisingly, some people actually voted "no". (Really??). I suppose it's like the famous kipper speech by Boris. It really doesn't matter if there's any point to argue. We'll argue it anyway. Because we can. How about this poll: "Fish is good" or "Other foods bad". Choose one.

BrisketThe point Brisket, is that UK is not part of EU any longer, but a third country like all others, so the UK licence is not an EU one anymore. If UK will accept EU driving licences when resident, it's a matter for them but Spain won't accept it. Not to too complicated to comprehend, is it?

BrisketOk, if it's true that as a resident of the UK, you can drive with any old licence issued anywhere, the UK would probably qualify as the only country in the world where that's possible. And it might also explain why the UK has little clue about how many foreigners actually live there legally or illegally, and consequently, how it sold Brexit on an anti-foreigner platform. But that's not the issue. It's Spanish law. That's how it is. You can like it or dislike it, but if you choose to live here permanently, ultimately, you'll need to get a Spanish driving licence. No matter what nationality you are. End of. Now, if you're waiting to get a free ride by simply exchanging your licence, then that's your choice. It may or may not happen again. And while it's inconvenient, it's really not an unsurmountable hurdle to take the test. But it's a bit cheeky to protest that you're not getting exceptional treatment. And being that Brits are rather famous for exceptionalism, it does tend to add yet another validation of the stereotypes. And surely, that leads to what you might characterise as "anti-british" sentiment. Well, if you don't like being characterised that way, it might be wise to consider not *acting* that way. A little humility would go a long way towards a mutually beneficial relationship. But it's always blamed on "them". Another stereotypical behaviour. 🥺

Ulla JacksonHmmmm, well you don't have to exchange your licence in other EU countries, or take another driving test. Same is true for people coming to UK. Ii don't think anyone is saying UK licences are better! It's just pointlessly inconvenient. And certainly didn't help the new nomad visa seem attractive

BrisketNo, it should not be a nightmare for Nomads. If they stay "a couple of years" they should get their licences changed too. Why are Brits believing their driving licenses are better than anyone else's? You live in a new country, it should come naturally to change your licence.

Zoltan TeglasMe too. The thing that doesn't make sense is that nobody is refusing Brits a driving licence, and never did. They could have gotten one at any time, but decided to wait to see if there's some chance of simply exchanging it. All the while driving illegally and moaning when they get caught. Could've avoided that from day 1. And it begs the question of whether all this is only prolonging the inevitable. You're going to have to get one anyway. So, get one. Everybody else did.

Now let's see if the remaining resident Brits can get their bums in gear, so we can leave the moaning, feel sorry for us, behind. If they still are lazy or refuse to change their driving licence, noone and noone should feel sorry for them, and I hope I will never read another comment about British driving licences on this site, ever.

Morgan WilliamsI've had a Spanish licence for a long time. I'm just enjoying the stupidity of it all and the same MDM story just with different dates.