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Whilst it is not strictly necessary to exchange your UK Licence for a Spanish one, you may find it more convenient to do so ...
British and other EU Citizens
Any UK driving licences that were issued prior to 1990 are invalid unless they are accompanied by an official translation into Spanish - Any infringement of this law could result in a very heavy fine being awarded, and the inconvenience of having to sort this out with the Guardia Civil and / or the DGT.
The minimum age that you are able to hold a driving licence in spain is 18 years old, so any 17 year old holding a UK licence will be unable to drive.
Spanish driving laws and regulations previously stated that licence holders were entitled to legally drive on a valid UK, or other EU licence, for a period of no more than six months - after which time they were then required to either :
- Leave Spain
- Not drive any road vehicle during their stay in spain
- Apply for their UK or other EU driving licence to be approved and stamped
- Apply for a Spanish driving licence
However : As an EU citizen holding an EU type driving licence this is now only 'a recommendation'.
The British Consulate also suggests that it is advisable to exchange UK licences for Spanish ones, which are also valid for visits to the UK. In the UK the DVLA will not put a foreign address on a replacement licence, nor will they send one out of the country. Therefore, if a British licence is only registered with Spanish authorities and is lost or stolen, a replacement cannot be obtained from the UK, and Spanish authorities will not be able to replace one they did not issue.
Licence Validity & RenewalsThose wishing to renew driving licence categories BTP, C1, C1 + E, C, C + E, D1, D1 + E, D and D + E must do so every 5 years up to the age of 65, every 3 years beyond that age.
All other categories of licence have a validity of 10 years up to the age of 65, renewable every 5 years beyond that date.
To renew a licence in Spain the applicant needs a medical certificate issued by an officially recognised centre.
To apply for your driving licence to be replaced by a Spanish oneGo to your local provincial traffic headquarters (often based within the police station ) and ask to change your British driving licence for a Spanish one. They will inform you that you must undergo a medical examination (as do Spanish nationals) and give you details of how to proceed...
Take with you:
- Your valid UK or EU driving licence
- Your NIE certificate
- Your Residencia paperwork
- A photocopy of both sides of the driving licence id photograph card
- Your passport and one photocopy
- Two passport photographs
This process may vary slightly from town to town , but the above documents should cover all variations. When you have all of these documents the proceedure is usually very quick and simple.
Your new spanish licence is also valid for driving during visits to the UK.
To apply for your british driving licence to be stamped and registeredMake it clear that you want your licence stamped, not replaced and proceed as above.
Please Note:The practice of registering a british driving licence (photo type) can now only be carried out at main provincial police/highway authority offices, e.g., Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia etc...
Lesley - in theory you shouldn't, but in practice how are they going to know ? As long as you provide them a valid EU Driving Licence they are not going to check with the DVLA (Unless of course you have a bump!)
My current valid UK driving licence has my old UK address but I am now residing in Spain can I use this licence to hire a car in England ?
To Rachel Ward
Everyone needs the medical - once every ten years until 65 years I think. My medical here in Valencia cost me 52 Euros and the new licence 26 Euros. The medical was daylight robbery but outside the Jefatura there are people asking questions as if they would be beggars, but they are offering medicals and other licence services at possibly cheaper prices.
Does everyone need to have a medical or is it from a certain age ? and how much is it for a new licence ?
To Lorraine
To change your UK licence to a Spanish licence it must be valid (en vigor) otherwise the Jefatura del Trafico won't consider it - and you will need the "paper counterpart" of the licence as well.
If your UK licence has expired I think you will need to get it renewed in the UK first - then you can use it in Spain.
Ask at your local Jefatura but I think they will only exchange a valid UK licence. Perhaps the DVLA could FAX your details - they faxed my Certificate of Entitlement - to the local Jefatura but I doubt it will work.
This is great useful information but how do I go about this if my UK licence has ran out !?
I am 44 years old, but I take it I will need a medical could you please help me with where I need to go - Is it still same procedure, and just explain it has run out ? Thankyou for your help
Thanks Mr Deller, your opinion on Expat Mortoring in Spain is always appreciated.
We would encourage our visitors to read your experiences and insights in your book >>>>
I am studying the "new" EU Directive on the standardisation of driving licences within the EU. All 58 pages of it. The directive was formulated in 2006, but is effective from the 19th January 2013. The main change is a new chipped card type that has been made much more secure. With scam artists offering Eastern European licencs to those who have been "unfairly banned" or want a new classification without taking a test for it, it is bad news. Basically it formalises the need in Spain for all drivers regardless of where they obtained their licences in the EU, who are resident in Spain, to take the mandatory medicals as we all have had to since 2006 anyway, Ley 62/2006. Needless to say I meet a someone, an expat every day who is ignorant of this and they will get a shock if they have an accident involving injuries as that mean usually a Court case. Another point is that all those who have been resident here for two yrs. will have to get the new licence !
@ Elena : Not wishing to be pedantic or anything, but that may be becuase you haven't actually asked a question ?
@ Everyone else : The vast difference in personal experiences is quite shocking and amongst other things just goes to show how the DGT have been lax in passing information on internally - let alone to the general public !
I received no answer to my question
Ann - well now, my Daughter HAS been fined for NOT having a Spanish driving licence because she has been resident for 5 years and that was in Barca. We took advice and decided it wasn't worth the agro NOT to take a Spanish Licence & have changed. No medical needed because my licence expired 2015. No more worrying! lol
Have been to trafico in Palma de Mallorca this morning and was told that I DO NOT need to register my UK licence or have a medical until 9 January 2015 !
Ian - this website says the changes are from 19th Jan NEXT year, but I was sure it was from THIS year...........?
There new regulations out Please read this and Please change your documents ASAP or face a fine. The min fine is 200€
http://www.aeaclub.org/aea-informa/205-conductores-extranjeros-renovar-carnet
Thank you P.H.Connell
To Philip Newcombe:
The list of Spanish requirements requires that your UK licence be "en vigor" - currently valid - to be able to exchange it for a Spanish one.
You will need to get a UK address - and GP - if you wish to avoid having to go through the trouble and expense of sitting the driving test for a new Spanish licence.
The arrogance of the DVLA quite literally beggars belief.
Due to an illness in 1998 my UK Licence has been issued firstly at 2 yearly intevals then to 3 year. However since I do not have a registered GP or a UK address the DVLA will not issue another. My Uk licence expired a couple of years ago so (subject to a medical) can I apply for a Spanish driving licence with an expired Uk one?
If changing your driving licence can i pay on my credit card ? does anyone know ?
Just to let you know I do now have my Spanish Driving Licence and the hold up was in England not Spain.
Best of luck to all when you need one.
John Collins
we have been today to change our UK licences to Spanish and we didn't need to take a Medical! They took the copies of whats on your list and ONE photo and said the licence would be mailed to us. Apparently they get in touch with the DVLA and once that's OK they produce the licence. We are both 60 this year and our friend is 65. Everything I have read says a medical is needed every 10 years up to 65 then 5 yearly.
I have all the documents to change my UK licence - still valid until 2018, though the photo expires in 2013 - to a Spainish licence, except for the Paper Counterpart which I have lost.
I had a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) faxed to me from the DVLA - for 5 quid - but the Oficina del Trafico wants an original.
Does anyone know what I have to do get the DVLA to send me an original COE to my address here in Spain - or to the Oficina del Trafico - I am on the verge of desperation.
Well can you believe it, I have just returned from Traffico (Alicante) with a temporary licence after applying on the 14th December 2011. After numerous phone calls to Swansea, they were apparently at fault. In an answer to JC regarding which doc's Traffico require, a certificate of Entitlement is what they want, but traffico wont take it personally, it has to come from Swansea with an official letter (as I found out when Swansea SOLD me one). Hope this helps others. DONT give up.
I am a British citizen and my son has double nationality, Spanish and British. He has a British driving license how can he go about changing it for a Spanish one?
I've had a similar problem to John Collins, but I applied to change my licence on 14th December 2011 and up to now (24th August 2012) have still not got my Spanish licence. Alicante Traffico tell me they have requested confirmation 3 times from Swansea, the DVLA tell me they haven't had anything from Spain. We have had 'Certificates of Entitlement' (£5.00 each) sent from Swansea, but Traffico wont accept them as there is no administration from Swansea,
What next??? The photo on my licence ran out on 16th August. Heeeeeeeeeeeelp somebody. This is so frustrating.Traffico did issue a green stamped form which proves I have applied for a Spanish driving licence, I recently had to have it restamped, for police purposes, as the law now states that you now need to obtain a Spanish licence if you have been a resident in Spain for two years.
I tried recently to change my English driving licence to a Spanish one as it was due to expire on 25/02/2012
I collected all of the documents, passport pictures etc went to the Alicante Trafico and was issued with the orginal "Premiso de Conduccion" duly stamped on the 03/02/2012. I was told that the Spanish diving licence would be posted to me within three weeks. It is now the 20/04/2012 and I still have not received it. We have contacted Trafico who say they are waiting for a response to an enquiry they have made to the DVLA? They say they always do this. I contacted the DVLA who said this was unusual and offered to send me a Certificate of Entitlement. They faxed me a copy and have also posted me a copy as well.
Does anyone know what information Trafico require from the DVLA? I have a clean driving licence and have never be fined or arrested.
My source was the DGT website
also any of the DGT approved medical centres have all the correct information
I renewed my Spanish licence recently I am 75 and it will expire when I am 80
Hi Fred, and thanks for your input.
- We are not infallible, nor do we claim to be, and appreciate updates, comments and contributions from all of our visitors. We note your original post, byt perhaps you could quote your source here ?
I have sent to posts on this article re the change in spanish driving licences and you still have not bothered to amend the published information
IS THERE ANY POINT IN SHOWING INCORRECT INFORMATION FOR EXPATS TO REFER TO
We followed similar advice in Alicante in August 2011 and to date we do not have a licence or any idea when we will receive one. When we asked Traffico when a licence would be sent to us we were told quote'It will take as long as it takes'.
Very helpful.
We are told to do the Spanish thing and apply for a local licence but the system does care about expats.
Does this apply regardless of your residential status ?
Over 70 the licence is now renewed for 5 years unless the medical requires otherwise
There is no legal requirement to have an EU licence validated by the country of residence
Contrary to your statement there is no need whatsoever for UK driving licences to be stamped or replaced by a Spanish one for residents in Spain; unless they work professionally in road transport. However they must be accompanied by a valid Spanish medical certificate within the complicated and recently changed local regulations for periodic checks. Given that most current UK photo licences only last 10 years, it is worth exchanging for a Spanish one before you hit that problem.
Please amend "to 70 years and 2 years after that to 5 years thereafter until you are aged 80
I have just received mine renewal licence and it expires in november 2015 when I will be 70 and 6 months very strange
Many thanks Sr Deller - your book is always highly recommended by Tumbit as a source of reliable and up to date motoring info !
All the facts and proof of them may be seen in the book, Motoring in Spain, temporarilly out of print while the Fourth Edition is being finished. But if your UK licence expires, you have 3 years to renew it either in the UK if you have a legal UK address (not strictly legal though) or here in Spain. Obtain a Form D737 from the DVLA. This is a certificate of your classes for which you have passed the tests. But remember that if resident here, it is fully legal to use your foreign EU licence, e.g. a current unexpired UK, as long as you obey the same administrative rules that Spanish drivers have to and one is the taking of the periodical, simple medicals at the special clinics (reconcimientoes).. Toimnot take nthe medicals meansd that youtr licencve wille expire in Spain (and the EU) and you will probaly not find out until in a Court of law where the other driver's lawyer will tell te Court that you had no driving licence as you lose the accident case.
Thanks Old Timer I will certainly give it a go.
My understanding is that you can apply for a Spanish Licence from an expired UK Licence, but you may still need to go through a Medical Exam in Spain to prove your fitness to drive.
Due to an illness I have had to have my UK driving license renewed, subject to medical reports, firstly for one year, then two and that last time it was for three years. Since then I have moved to Spain and was told by the DVLA that I can no longer renew my license because I do not have GP in the UK (or a UK address). My medical reports came from my consultant at the hospital not from my GP anyway. My license expired some time ago. Can I still apply for a Spanish driving license even if my UK one is out of date?
Good advice Craig - this seems to be one of the 'bar stool hero's' favourite subjects (along with not bothering to import a UK car). Nice to read a first-hand account aswell.
I exchanged my licence for a spanish one. It was very painless. I read (like in a previous comment) and hear from many of the practice of obtaining a duplicate licence ffrom the UK prior to exchange.
When I initially attended the traffic office I took all the required documents and paid the fee. After going to the window I was sent away still with my UK licence and told they would write to me when they had had confirmation from the UK that my licence was valid. They said that whilst waiting for their letter I should go and have my medical. I did all this, recieved the letter and went back.
At this stage they took the UK licence off me and issued me a Spanish card temporary licence stating that the new plastic licence would be with me in a couple of weeks. It was.
Out of interest after having my Spanish plastic licence for a few weeks I called the DVLA in Swansea and simply asked "what is the status of my licence". They found me on the computer and simply answered that I do not
Like a lot of expats, I didn't want to give up my UK driving license, so I reported it as being lost on the DVLA website. You can order a duplicate copy online for 20 Quid and that way when you hand your old copy in to the Traffico you will still have a copy to keep. Not stictly legal, but works for me.
A very big thank you Tumbit.I now realise that for the last 3 years I have been really fortunate .I had my UK license stolen and i thought carrying the denuncia was adequate! Having read your articles,almost everything I have been doing is illegal.Time to sort it out.Again thanks
Cheers Paul! Whilst we acknowledge that the procedures do vary from Region to Region, we will modify our list of recommended / required documents to take - always better to be over-prepared.
Further to my visit to Trafico for the 2nd time, it seems you also need your Residencia paper, or Permit of Residence ( a copy and the original to show them ).
I was also told by Trafico that because Britain is in the EU, our British driving licence is fine to drive with, and not just for 6 months only.
I've decided to have both for piece of mind!
the above bullet points are correct except for one:
where it says a copy of your NIE form, i'm afraid that's not quite correct. They need to see the ORIGINAL.
If you think you've got all the paperwork, you can bet your life there's something missing. They love to frustrate you!!!
It'll cost €26 too.
Suggest you look at their website under "trafico" to double check!!
Fernando, In the UK the advice given to Businesses is NOT to recognise a non-UK license, and I would assume that the same is true in Spain. It may help your case to do the following 2 things : contact the issuer of your license to confirm this and also to obtain a sworn translation that you can keep with your license when applying for vacancies.
Hi, can you please tell me if you know if my British forklift and reach truck driving licenses can be exchanged, or recognised in Spain?
I passed my theory test with this page http://www.englishdrivingschool.com they have a lot of test in english.
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