AN OVERVIEW OF DRIVING IN SPAIN Driver’s General Regulations (January 2006) UK citizens with a UK(EU) driving licence i.e. photo-card licence, no longer need apply for or exchange domestic licence for Spanish licence (except for professional drivers). UK(EU) licence holders may drive legally in Spain on their existing licence subject to Spanish requirements, as apply to Spaniards, in respect of licence expiry and renewal and passing a medical examination (Article 22). However, residents may voluntarily register their licence particulars with Jefatura de Trafico (Article 23) or exchange UK licence for Spanish licence at any time (Article 26). Whereas UK licence is valid from date of issue until one is 70 years of age and one is not required to pass medical; in Spain, one’s licence needs to be renewed periodically depending upon one’s age i.e. less than 45 years old – every 10 years, older than 45 but less than 70 – every five years and, over 70 – every 2 years (Article 16.2). In the event that one wears glasses or suffers other medical conditions, different time scales apply. In order to renew Spanish licence one need pass medical examination at designated centre wherein the speed of one’s reactions is tested. Accordingly, UK nationals residing in Spain who chose to retain UK(EU) licence are required pass a medical within 4 years of living here and thereafter pass periodic medical in accordance with Spanish law. Residents who fail to comply with the said Spanish laws will be driving on Spanish roads unlawfully (Article 24(a)). If one registers or exchanges UK licence, the Jefatura will automatically notify you as to when your next medical is due. Further, if residing in Spain and one no longer has a UK address, those of you who have not registered or exchanged your licence may encounter difficulties in the event that losing your UK licence, as DVLA may say that you failed to notify them of change of address and prosecute you for the same. Further, DVLA cannot issue new licence with Spanish address and you may encounter difficulties in persuading the Spanish authorities to issue a Spanish licence.
Myles G. Jackson 22 June 2007 Disclaimer Although we hope this article will be of interest to readers, the author accepts no liability and offers no warranties in relation to it and its content, to the fullest extent such liability can be excluded by law. The article is not a substitute for legal advice, and is not intended or offered as such. The author excludes and does not accept any duty of care to anyone who makes use of, or seeks to rely on, material detailed in this article. |