UK car importing

Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 3:05pm

6 replies3 members subscribed

Posts: 7

Location: Altea

Joined: 22 Aug 2023

Hello. I have been in Spain since 14th August with a UK plated car and I know I have six months to import it. I have a few questions: 1. (a technical one) it's a Toyota Avensis 2016 and I understand I need to make sure the headlights are to the correct setting. Can this be done manually or do I need to change the units?

2. I have a 'Padron' but do I need residency as well to import the car?

3. Does anyone know what the correct procedure is to do this?

4. Also have a UK license, does that need to be converted as well within 6 months and how do I do that?

Sorry, lot's of questions but maybe somebody can help me with this and would be happy to pay for this service.

Thanks

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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 3:12pm

John123456

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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 3:12pm

The following links may provide all the answers:

https://upsticks.es/importing-a-non-eu-vehicle-into-spain-all-you-need-to-know/

https://lifestylegroup.es/register-uk-car-spain/#:~:text=applicable%20on%20top.-,Customs,and%20when%20you%20acquired%20it.

https://www.ageinspain.org/post/driving-in-spain-a-guide

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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 4:06pm

Darro

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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2023 4:06pm

Are you a UK passport holder?

If you are non resident then you are not supposed to be on a Padron nor can you switch to a Spanish licence.

You do not need residency to import a car.

Re headlights, very few vehicles have lights which can be properly adjusted to pass an ITV for LHD so it's a virtual certainty that you will need replacements.

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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:02am

Eileen57

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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:02am

Hi Edwin 1

We are non residents and changed our Toyota Avensis to Spanish plates in 2020. Yes, you need to replace the headlights in order to pass ITV . It is not necessary to have padron or residency to do this . In fact we used a gestor across the road from the ITV centre in Torrevieja who changed the lights ,took the car to the ITV etc for us making the whole procedure easy to do . Sorry, I cant remember the name but its the only gestor beside the ITV centre

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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2023 2:11pm

Edwin1

Original Poster

Posts: 7

Location: Altea

Joined: 22 Aug 2023

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2023 2:11pm

John123456 wrote on Tue Dec 26, 2023 3:12pm:
The following links may provide all the answers:
https://upsticks.es/importing-a-non-eu-vehicle-into-spain-all-you-need-to-know/

Read more...

https://lifestylegroup.es/register-uk-car-spain/#:~:text=applicable%20on%20top.-,Customs,and%20when%20you%20acquired%20it.
https://www.ageinspain.org/post/driving-in-spain-a-guide

Many thanks! Most helpful.

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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2023 2:14pm

Edwin1

Original Poster

Posts: 7

Location: Altea

Joined: 22 Aug 2023

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2023 2:14pm

Darro wrote on Tue Dec 26, 2023 4:06pm:
Are you a UK passport holder?
If you are non resident then you are not supposed to be on a Padron nor can you switch to a Spanish licence.

Read more...

You do not need residency to import a car.
Re headlights, very few vehicles have lights which can be properly adjusted to pass an ITV for LHD so it's a virtual certainty that you will need replacements.

Thanks. I have a Dutch passport and have a 'Padron' and also working on Residency which apparently I need to exchange my UK license to a Spanish one but nobody can really give a conclusive answer on this and who ever you ask, you get a different answer!

I contacted a Toyota garage for a quote the change the headlights ... might as well change the car!

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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2023 3:49pm

John123456

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Posts: 1464

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Location: Benidorm

Joined: 27 Feb 2021

Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2023 3:49pm

Edwin1 wrote on Thu Dec 28, 2023 2:14pm:
Thanks. I have a Dutch passport and have a 'Padron' and also working on Residency which apparently I need to exchange my UK license to a Spanish one but nobody can really give a conclusive answer on this and who ever you ask, you get a different answer!
I contacted a Toyota garage for a quote the change the headlights ... might as well change the car! ...

Read more...

...

It is essential that you are a legal resident in Spain to be able to exchange your licence. The contents of the following links will confirm this and provide you with more detailed information:

https://balcellsgroup.com/exchange-drivers-license/#:~:text=In%20order%20to%20exchange%20your,in%20case%20of%20Spanish%20nationality

https://administracion.gob.es/pag_Home/en/Tu-espacio-europeo/derechos-obligaciones/ciudadanos/vehiculos/permiso-conduccion/validez-canje-reconocimiento.html