Spanish Driving Licence

[Yorick]

After Brexit I just swapped my UK licence for a Spanish one with no problems. But Penny and a pal chose to wait for various reasons.
On January 1st, the swapping option stopped as Brexit kicked in. Most folk thought that the swapping would be negotiated and reintroduced.
But on May 1st the reciprocal agreement ended and a UK license is no longer valid here.

So, Penny is taking theory classes in preparation for her test, soon. But, she cannot drive her 125 on her car licence till she's had it 2 years. Previously she could ride it, indefinitely, on her UK car licence.
So she's gonna take extra theory questions which will go towards her bike licence. I'm glad, so that we can get her a 200 or 250.

But it's backfired on my pal with the S1000RR. He has to take his bike test, but then has to wait 2 years before he can ride a bigger bike. A or A1 or summat.

I'm glad I took the easy way. But they'll be able to keep their UK licenses after the test, whereas I had to surrender mine,

[Mussels]

So if you want a UK license you need to retake your test?
That seems really odd.

[Yorick]

So if you want a UK license you need to retake your test?
That seems really odd.

No. They need to get a Spanish licence.

[Noggin]

I missed the cut off point here and so have to wait until June as the French won't process UK application if you have more than 6 months till the card is out of date

Even enclosing a letter explaining that I drive for work and had a French transport company did not encourage them to change it sooner

Sadly, it's likely to take the full 6 months to come through, but I'll be happy when I have it

And, for now, at least I don't need to take a test and have restrictions !!!

[Demannu]

And, for now, at least I don't need to take a test and have restrictions !!!

No need to fret, the ducati easily qualifies as a restricted bike

[demographic]

Lot of trust to put in the UK government to sort out a deal when they made a shitshow of everything else to do with sorting deals with Europe.

[Yorick]

Lot of trust to put in the UK government to sort out a deal when they made a shitshow of everything else to do with sorting deals with Europe.

They're still exchanging Spanish licences for folk in UK

[DefTrap]

I'm not bothering until mine runs out, a couple of years yet.
And even then I'll probably just renew in the UK and blag it.

[Yorick]

I'm not bothering until mine runs out, a couple of years yet.
And even then I'll probably just renew in the UK and blag it.

Over here the Guardia Civil are a bit keener than Le Plod.

[Scootabout]

Brexit. The gift that keeps on giving

[Noggin]

I'm not bothering until mine runs out, a couple of years yet.
And even then I'll probably just renew in the UK and blag it.

Over here the Guardia Civil are a bit keener than Le Plod.

It isn't keenness - there is paperwork (that I carried cos of work) that states that Brits cannot change their licences until there is only 6 months loft on the card. If you have less than 6 months, then I guess you are supposed to show the confirmation that you've started the process.

Having said that, I am aware of some people that have been stopped without the paperwork by Le Plod that don't know of the rules currently who are then a smidge heavy handed!!

[Pirahna]

The Spanish want access to the DVLA vehicle owner database to that they can issue traffic tickets to UK vehicles that commit offences. The DVLA won't give access so the Spanish won't now swap a UK license for a Spanish one. I believe access to the DVLA stuff was given before Brexit then withdrawn, now they expect the Spanish plod to apply for vehicle details on a case by case basis.

This is the reason I won't apply for Spanish residency just yet. However, I have an Irish passport so the 90 days in, 90 days out stuff doesn't apply. I'll just stay until I get caught then deal with it then. Hopefully it'll be sorted out sooner rather than later.

[Supermofo]

Got my passport stamped on Thursday entering Spain, my blue passport. All felt very odd.

[lostboy]

My mates in PB have just fallen foul of this as well. He swapped his in, she didn't. She now needs to go through the test route.

[Yorick]

My mates in PB have just fallen foul of this as well. He swapped his in, she didn't. She now needs to go through the test route.

She did a 2 day course on the theory.
In the test it's 30 question. Can only get 3 wrong.
There's about 100 online tests and she's doing quite a few each day as practice.

[Noggin]

I want to do a sort of HGV as I want to have a licence to drive coaches. That I will definitely need to do a test for. So will hang on a year or so until I speak and understand better!!!

[Whysub]

When I received confirmation that my application for residency had been accepted, I applied for my licence.

Too many Brits here decided that Spain needs Brits, and that they would drop the requirement for licence exchange and the 90 in 180 days. Fools. I have no sympathy for those that got caught out because of their mindset, not the rules which were so widely publicised, you could not escape knowing.

Incidentally, many traffico police officers here used gov.uk to check UK registered cars that passed them had MOT and Tax, which they are no longer allowed to do. So if you get pulled it can be a lengthy process to get your details.

Many UK registered cars here are now deemed illegal. Owners that have residency have 30 days to put the vehicle onto Spanish plates, or get rid. Many are risking it by keeping their UK cars here well after the 30 days. If you are non resident, the rules are a bit different, but I can't be arsed to look them up.

Basically, look at the laws of where you move to, and don't expect them to be changed because you are British (or a person of any other 3rd party country).

[Yorick]

There is one good thing to come out of this. She keeps her UK license so she can still drive her car which she keeps at her mum's.

I don't think she'd be allowed to if she had just a Spanish licence.

[Asian Boss]

We knew what we were voting for! Look at her shoes! Defend the statues!

[Whysub]

There is one good thing to come out of this. She keeps her UK license so she can still drive her car which she keeps at her mum's.

I don't think she'd be allowed to if she had just a Spanish licence.

Another can of worms-what can you drive where on what licence.