Finally, for British citizens wishing to locate to Italy, they should register as a resident to receive the new residency document, apply for healthcare and if applicable . You have to pass the written test before proceeding to do the practical test. As I understand it , its because the British tourists having committed an offence often go back to the U.K. without paying the fine. They say the access is necessary to be able to follow up those who commit driving offences in the country. 4. It is administered in England, Scotland and Wales by the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) and in Northern Ireland by the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA). Since 1 May 2022, thousands of UK licence holders who had been resident in Spain for six months or more have been unable to drive with their UK licences, even though the vast majority of other EU nations have struck deals with the UK post-Brexit for the simple exchange of driving licences. Theres absolutely no reason why we should be in this predicament. In Spain, it is illegal to drive under the influence of alcohol and drugs. This is one of the consequences of Brexit and the measure also affects Spanish drivers in the UK. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. View or share your driving licence information. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Tweeting an update on Friday, July 8, Hugh Elliot the Ambassador said that progress is slow and the two parties were still trying to work through the technicalities on any agreement. From 1st May 2022: - if you were living in Spain before 1st January 2021, your valid UK driving licence will no longer be valid for driving in Spain. If pre-registered, you then had until 31st December 2021 to actually make the exchange. We can advise you on English speaking driving schools in the area and answer all doubts you may have about the practicalities regarding the test and exam. After the probationary period ends, the drivers are given a one-year grace period to upgrade their licences to Competent Driving Licence. Opening hours : Monday to Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Friday from 9:00 to 15:00, it will only be attended by appointment, preferably via email or telephone. For new arrivals, driving licences issued by the British authorities will be valid in Spain for a period of six months from the date of entry of the holder or from the date of obtaining the residence permit (TIE). Review our Privacy Policy for more information about our privacy practices. Hi all, Wondering if anyone has managed to convert their UK driving license into a Spanish one after Brexit. No part of this website may be reproduced without written permission from the publishers. So this is very important. What Are The Advantages? The Norwegian government has allocated NOK 50 million to a total of 17 universities, which will be used to Copyright 2013 - 2021 SchengenVisaInfo.com. If the new licence was not applied for before 31 December 2020, the person in question will have to obtain a new Spanish driving licence. Apply for your first provisional driving licence. According to a statement of Minister Karl McCartney, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of . Spanish law does not require drivers to carry reflective jackets, but anyone found walking . The current situation arose on May 1 after a deadline expired, making UK licences invalid for anyone who had been resident for more than six months in Spain. UK driving licence holders in Spain can continue to drive on their UK licence until 28 February 2022. As of May 1 2022, all British citizens who stay for more than 6 months in Spain will have to take a Driving test, exactly the same as for any Spanish citizen. The time to get your drivers license will depend on the circumstances of each one, but dedicating the necessary time and taking into account that you are already a driver, it should not take more than 15 days to prepare for the theoretical exam. Many of you have quite rightly mentioned that I expressed the hope to you that you would be back on the road by the end of July. property could be taken by local governments when ever they felt like it (for the good of the local community), So decided to buy and live in France, Which we are very happy with. - Have a driving licence with a validity of 5 years or more on the date of issue for Group 2 (BTP, C1, C1E, C, CE D1, D1E, D, DE). This will be the second stoppage after similar industrial action was taken in March of this year, which caused serious problems to Spain's supply chain and even saw the dairy sector [] You could be given a roadside breath test if the police suspect you of being over the limit. Thank you for taking the time to read this article, do remember to come back and check The Euro Weekly News website for all your up-to-date local and international news stories and remember, you can also follow us on Facebook and Instagram. An update will be given as soon as an answer has been received. Driving without a valid license is illegal in Spain, and can create legal problems for the driver. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. A ban came into effect on Sunday, May 1, after a six-month rule ended which allowed Brits to use their DVLA issued licences in Spain. Extract from the Facebook page of the Embassy 'Brits n Spain'. In order to be able to drive in the EU legally, British citizens residing in Spain will have to obtain a driving licence by undertaking the theory as well as the practical driving test. >> Portugals Failure to Issue Post-Brexit Residence Permits Hinders Life of Almost 35k Brits. British citizens with a UK driving license residingin Spain, cannot exchange their driving license for a Spanish one. On Friday October 14th, the British Embassy in Madrid published its latest update on the driving licence debacle which has kept an unnamed number of UK licence holders living in Spain off the roads since May 1st. But as I say, I cant give you a definitive timetable. until 31 December 2020. Click here for further details on how to ADVERTISE with us. But, please, do be assured that we are resolving those issues, one by one. Theyre doing it to us because they can. This means that from 1 January 2021, licences issued by the UK authorities were valid for driving in Spain for a further ten months, until 31 October 2021 only, and were no longer valid for driving in Spain after that date. By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you dont already have one. These are the. The change does not apply to tourists, who can still use their UK driving licence, and also affects Spaniards living in the UK. The change does not apply to tourists, who can still use their UK driving licence, and also affects Spaniards living in the UK. The last date for Spanish residents with a UK driving licence to register their intent to exchange for a Spanish licence (without taking a test) was 30th December 2020. It was previously suggested by the British Embassy that Spain had asked for data provision to form part of the licence exchange agreement, and that the UK authorities were reluctant to share this information. Practical classes: Cost 32/ driving class. Can I drive my UK car in Spain after Brexit? Got a news story you want to share? If they didnt it was either laziness o thinking they are above the law. Sections. If you drive in Spain as a tourist, you are able to use you UK driving li-cense. If you live in Spain and your UK driving licence is lost or stolen or if it expires you will not be able to renew it with the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency. The truth is it has taken much longer, as there have been unforeseen issues that we have been working very hard to resolve. The last date for Spanish residents with a UK driving license to register their intent to ex-change for a Spanish license was 30th December 2020. The driving school will help you with the whole documentation process. With negotiations continuing he is hoping to have a substantive update next week however, the onset of the summer holidays could delay any progress should an agreement not be reached shortly. You need to exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one if you:-. Many of you also continue to ask why you cant drive while the talks are continuing. While there remains some outstanding work to be done to agree on the annexes of the agreement between both countries, the UK authorities explain that once the agreement is finalized, the same will be published in the Spanish gazette. One person has even set up a Facebook group, called Invasion of the British Embassy in Madrid for the DL Exchange lssue, with the aim of organising a peaceful demonstration at the embassy, as well as for a delegation to have a discussion with the ambassador and his staff. You must apply at your local DGT office for your driving test. Spain has also indicated that sufficient warning was given to those who needed to change their licences, but it is well known that some tried unsuccessfully to meet the deadline with applications or documentation rejected. The British government have been in talks with the Spanish authorities about this for months now and the latest information we have is they are close to declaring a deal that will allow British residencia to drivein Spain and vice versa as the problem also exists for Spanish peoplein the UK to drivethere until an agreement is finalised. Reasons to believe that a UK driving licence meets all the requirements under the EU directive to be valid in the EU therefore there could easily be an agreement between Spain and the UK for exchanging these permits. If you are affected by this change and need to drive, you should take immediate steps to apply for a Spanish driving license. Step 2: Take a test to determine your knowledge of Spanish traffic laws. It means that if you have been resident in Spain for longer than six months, your UK-issued licence will no longer be valid to drive here from May 1," the statement of the Ambassador reads. The maximum penalty is a fine of 1,000 and your driving license loss for up to four years. All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE. In a video message posted on the British Embassys Facebook page on Tuesday, Ambassador HughElliott acknowledged that there have been unforeseen issues since stating back in June that his best estimate was to have everyone back on the road around the end of July with two months now having passed since the best estimate date. British residents in Spain have had plenty of warning and plenty of time to change their licences. The biggest concern for some British expats is that their UK driving licences are no longer valid in Spain and a deal, which the British Embassy hoped would be reached over the summer, has still not been ratified. The test is divided into two; a written and a practical driving test. What a load of hogwash. The Spanish government wont stop British tourists to drive because they need the revenue and tourists would go elsewhere. pic.twitter.com/SbYSnM410x, Hugh Elliott (@HughElliottUK) July 8, 2022. Replace a lost . (You can unsubscribe anytime), 2022 spainlifeexclusive | All rights reserved | Terms and condition, We are hoping to hear in the next two weeks the final arrangements. One To be updated with all the latest news, offers and special announcements. Meanwhile, a British tourist visiting Spain can rent a car without any issue, using their UK licence. Until now, British residents in Spain have been able to use their licences issued in their country, and all other European countries have reached a post-Brexit agreement. However, there are still some exceptions to this rule. 6. Will my driving licence be valid? Several other comments posted on the Embassys Facebook page suggest that the negotiations have been held up due to political wrangling over Gibraltar. We have similar arrangements in place with 24 other EU Member States, but negotiations with Spain have become more complicated due to Spain requiring additional elements in relation to driving . New drivers must display a standardized (15 cm 19.5 cm; 6" x 8"), reflective green and white "L" plate on the lower left corner of the rear window for one year after obtaining their first driving . This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. Drivers must have held a full driving licence for at least 12 months. As weve said previously, we did request the reinstatement of those measures several times, but this wasnt granted. Data has shown a huge 65 percent rise in people taking out a French car insurance for expats policy. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. If the driver has been banned from driving for a DD, DR or UT offence, or has been disqualified for 12 months or more, we will only rent 5 years or more after the return of the licence. The embassy reiterated that the negotiations are complex and that they recognise the impact this is having on those affected. Supported by SST. The "Brits in Spain" Facebook page is continually. Once approved, the practice begins, here the important thing is the skill and if you have the British license you will have it, possibly the biggest inconvenience you have is that the examiner does it in Spanish, for this reason it is important that you take some classes to understand the instructions before the exam. SPAIN'S self-employed truckers have voted to begin an indefinite strike starting on midnight on Sunday, as the sector continues to struggle against high costs. A deadline that has already been extended by four months from the previous expiry date of June 2021. Although the written test can be done in English, the availability of the practical driving test in English will depend on . I, too, am frustrated by the pace. A car driving through the mountains in Mallorca. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Ill be in touch as soon as I have further details.. Since May, Britons living in Spain have been banned from using their UK driving licences on Spanish roads, much to the dismay of expats. Please be assured that we are resolving those issues, one by one, the ambassador said. By comparison, in Wales, Northern Ireland and England the drink-drive limit is 0.8 mg/ml of blood, and .5mg/ml of blood for Scotland. 22 November 2021 These changes are set out in Article 21 of the General Regulations on Drivers. We are already starting to receive inquiries from our clients on this matter in Fuster & Associates and therefore we have collected the following information from different driving schools in the area used to working with English-speaking clients. Since May, Britons living in Spain have been banned from using their UK driving licences on Spanish roads. Since January of this year, all British residents in Spain who dont have a driving licence issued in Spanish territory face a fine of 6,000 euros. But what are the unforeseen issues and what really is going on behind the scenes? Theyre doing it to us because they can. There are some exceptions and what is called an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be needed. Review our No further details were provided as to what the technicalities are that are being worked through with the last substantive update suggesting that access to the Driving Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) remained a sticking point. Then get in touch at [emailprotected], Your email address will not be published. I too kept my UK driving licence as right from the start you were allowed to do so until it expired, The agreement with France and UK was done in a matter of weeks and I still have my UK licence to this day and can keep it until it expires in 2026. Our aim is to secure a deal that allows UK licence holders resident in Spain to exchange their licence for a Spanish one without the need for a practical test, so they can return to the roads as soon as possible, the statement reads. Well, in summary, Id say were genuinely still making progress. The official guidance on the UK government's website for British expats in Spain says: "If you have a valid UK driving licence: From 1 May 2022, if you were living in Spain before 1 January 2021 . Humphrey Carter 21/10/2022 15:21. The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web no one else even comes close. All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers. In order to drive as a British person with Spanish residency, you either have to re-take your driving test or wait for the agreement to be passed that authorises driving on a UK licence. Information in English since 1962. . Since the beginning of 2022, residents in Spain with a UK driving licence, haven't been able to exchange to a Spanish driving licence unless they took a Spanish driving test. According to USwitch, passing your driving test in Spain is almost double the cost in the UK and averages between 700 and 1100. As financial turmoil and rising inflation continue to cause UK citizens to feel the pinch, it appears plenty of people seem to be turning dreams of finding an escape route into a reality. Learn to drive a car: step by step. It is estimated that almost 200,000 British nationals live in Spain, with. 2022 EWN Media. All the opinions and views expressed in our 'Opinions, Blogs & Spanish Experiences' section do not necessarily reflect the views of 'Spain in English' or Maravilla Pictures Ltd. Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP), Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall). (Image: Getty) He added: "Moving to France has always been an attractive proposition for many . Licence endorsements up to 9 points are accepted. Yes, most UK drivers are still able to use their normal driving licence to drive in EU countries. Example: Yes, I would like to receive emails from Spain Life Exclusive. Like in most European countries driving in Spain with a UK/EU driving license is perfectly viable and you do not need to replace it for a Spanish one. In response, many of those affected have been sharing their stories online, with some explaining how administrative errors on the part of Spains DGT traffic authority meant they were unable to process their licence exchange before the deadline. If you were living in Spain before 1 January 2021, your valid UK driving license will no longer be valid for driving in Spain We previously thought, we genuinely thought, that wed have concluded the negotiations by the summer. If you moved to Spain after 1 January 2021, your valid UK licence will be recognized for 6 months from the date you obtained residence. Alejandro Gonzlez Tudela, research scientist at the Spanish National Research Council's Institute for Theoretical Physics.Fundacin BBVA Scientists working on quantum physics in computing have been making friendly wagers for years. Known as the PEOPLES PAPER, Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain. Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox! For tourists and non-residents, UK driving licences remain valid for six months after the tourist arrives in Spain. - As of the 1st of January 2021, licences issued by the British authorities will enable you to drive in Spain until the 28th of February 2022 and will not be valid for driving in our country from that point onwards, the established in article 21 of the general driver's regulation being of application from said date. National Driving license of your home country that you wish to exchange. We, here at Fuster & Associates are ready to help you in any matter regarding to this new situation. Our latest update on driving licence negotiations is below . Currently as a resident of Spain you cannot drive on a UK licence, although Brits on holiday there can, according to a comment left on the post by Michelle Robins. The UK Ambassador to Spain has given an update on the driving licence debacle, with nothing new to genuinely give hope to the thousands of in-limbo drivers whose increasing frustration has led one group to try and take matters into their own hands. It is unknown if this is still the issue. Its disgusting behaviour. The British ambassador and his team at the British Embassy is working around the clock to try and resolve the issue and we are told that a deal is "close." For some UK residents in Spain the deal cant come soon enough. Were working on this every day. I've been living in the UK since 2005, got my driving license here, and was thinking of moving back to Spain next year. Originally from South Africa, Peter is based on the Costa Blanca and is a web reporter for the Euro Weekly News covering international and Spanish national news. An IDP can be bought at Post Offices for 5.50. These are as follows: Valid UK photocard driving licence Valid Proof of ID or National ID Card for EU citizens Getting those affected back on the road remains our top priority. A news report by Spanish state news agency EFE suggested that the hold up could be as a result of ongoing talks over Gibraltar. Specializing in high-end real estate on the Costa Blanca North, Koch & Varlet is a Javea-based luxury real estate agency that provides a first-class A new television series dedicated to the boom of the Costa del Sol will be based on real stories and characters from the classic With various diverse and unique pieces in store, Azure Home Store in Javea specialises in on-trend rustic furniture to give you the home patio Movida Denia was founded 5 years ago with the goal of providing a unique and complete dining experience in a relaxed yet sophisticated setting. Before we moved to the EU we thought about buying and living in Spain, Then having spend many months there and delving into the system we came to the conclusion it was a corrupt and racist country on the whole. A lot going on behind the scenes says UK ambassador about driving licence negotiations. I get how frustrating it is to hear that, but we are making progress. Driving licences issued in any Member State of the EU, UK (until 12/31/2020) and the EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) are valid to drive in Spain while they are in date and have not been been withdrawn for any reason (with the exception that the age required for driving will correspond to that required to obtain the equivalent Spanish driving license). Test and theoretical exam: Cost 380 (standardized prices in all driving schools). Although the driving lessons are slightly cheaper, taking. However, it has been emphasised that this does not affect UK license holders who have just recently arrived in Spain. The United Kingdom effectively ceased to belong to the European Union on the 31st of December 2020, so traffic arrangements within the EU ceased to be valid. Many of those affected in Spain have vented their anger on the Embassys Facebook page. Image Yau Ming Low / Shtterstock.com. Theres also no provision for deaf people like myself to take lessons. 2. By signing up, you will create a Euro Weekly News account if you dont already have one. Tell DVLA you've changed address: step by step. If however you move to Spain on a permanent basis and become a formal resident and you find that your UK license expires you will need to exchange it for a Spanish one. The Minister also claims that the UK Government has engaged in these negotiations, pointing out that Spanish drivers in the UK have encountered no limitations nor inconvenience in their ability to drive, in spite of Spains move to limit the use of UK-issued driving licenses. Please supportSpain in English with a donation. Invasion of the British Embassy in Madrid for the DL Exchange lssue, best estimate was to have everyone back on the road around the end of July, Sitges consolidates its recovery of international tourism, 718 kg of rubbish collected from Sitges coastline over 3 months, 72% plastic, Spains Guardia Civil seize largest amount of marijuana on record, Four dead, including teenager, after brawl turns deadly at wedding in Spain, Rugby player & former Celebrity X Factor singer Levi Davis missing in Barcelona, Climate activists glue their hands to the frames of Goya masterpieces at Prado museum, Spain temporarily closes airspace due to Chinese rocket debris, Bara icon Gerard Piqu plays his last game at Camp Nou, but adds: Ill be back, Sitges Hills Villas Property Management, Medical helicopter lands on Sitges-Vilanova road after man suffers heart attack. From the time the license is received until the age of 65, it must be renewed every 10 years. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. It remains a priority. Tweeting an update on Friday, July 8, Hugh Elliot the Ambassador said that progress is slow and the two parties were still trying to work through the technicalities on any agreement. Thank you for your collaboration. For all further details, see: @2021 - spainenglish.com & Maravilla Pictures Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Whether its local news in Spain, UK news or international stories, we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home. If you drive in Spain as a . It reportedly affects a minority of the 407,000 UK nationals who are officially resident in Spain, as many managed to exchange their licence for a Spanish one before the deadline at the end of 2020, as advised. Spain is dragging its feet for racist reason towards those from the UK and for that reason Im glad I dont live there. Pascal Siegmund, who has started the Facebook protest group, has said that he believes the delay in implementing the agreement on driving licences is linked to the negotiations regarding the post Brexit status of Gibraltar. The ambassador's latest message has done little to calm the anger, frustration and sense of helplessness . The Department for Transport in the UK and the Spanish Interior Ministry here in Spain have been leading these negotiations with input from our respective foreign ministries. Driving in Spain with UK license 2022. And, as the governments representative in Spain, I hear and understand your frustrations. This fee covers two rounds and if the student does not pass, they will have to pay an additional 180. The Spanish driving licence will no longer be valid in the United Kingdom, nor will the British licence be valid within the European Union. Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in Spain. 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Here is the full transcript of Hugh Elliotts latest message: Weve given some written updates recently, but I wanted to talk to you personally about the driving licence negotiations, which I know are continuing to have a serious impact on many of you. Valid Passport. "If you have a valid UK driving licence: From 1st May 2022 if you were living in Spain before 1st January 2021, your valid UK driving licence will no longer be valid for driving in. - Have a driving licence with a validity of 15 years or more on the date of issue for Group 1 (AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE). Do not hesitate to make your Spanish driving license as soon as possible to avoid any legal misunderstandings, when you should be enjoying the sun and the beach instead. Headlamp beam deflectors are another must for UK drivers venturing into Spain in their right-hand drive cars. Especially since the Spanish in the U.K. arent treated in the same way. What sort of a country punishes its residents To get back at another country? As the deadline of April 30th has already come and gone, the British Embassy in Madrid is currently trying to arrange a further extension of the agreement over the mutual exchange of Spanish and British driving licenses post-Brexit. And so, the advice that we have been giving all along, which is that you should consider taking the Spanish test if you do need to drive urgently, remains valid. If you are heading to Spain in your own car, you will also need a number of additional documents that you must keep with you at all times. There are only a couple of issues left, but they are complex. Were working on this every day. The official guidance on the UK government's website for British expats in Spain says: "If you have a valid UK driving licence: From 1 May 2022, if you were living in Spain before 1 January 2021 .