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Using a UK driving licence bin Spain

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 1:09pm
30 replies1984 views8 members subscribed
BigOLondo

Posts: 26

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Location: Villajoyosa

Joined: 28 Sep 2019

Good morning and please accept my apologies if I am going over old ground.

I have been advised that, after 1 October. I will no longer be able to drive in Spain using my UK licence and that I have to take a Spanish driving test.  I've also been told that I need to take formal driving tuition before taking the test, which is likely to cost £3,500.00 (that's three thousand five hundred pounds.

Can anybody please either confirm this or suggest an alternative?

Many thanks. 

tebo53

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 1:23pm

tebo53

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Joined: 29 May 2018

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 1:23pm

BigOLondo wrote on Wed Sep 15, 2021 1:09pm:

Good morning and please accept my apologies if I am going over old ground.

I have been advised that, after 1 October. I will no longer be able to drive in Spain using my UK licence and that I have to take a Spanish driving test.  I've also been told that I need to take formal driving tuition before taking the test, which is likely to cost £3,500.00 (that's three t...

...housand five hundred pounds.

Can anybody please either confirm this or suggest an alternative?

Many thanks. 

I understand that if you are a permanent resident you have until 31st October until your UK licence is no longer valid in Spain. You will then need to obtain a Spanish driving licence. You will need to take a driving test using the Spanish language. I imagine that there will be variations on cost if you shop around. 

Steve 

Kimmy11

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 5:02pm

Kimmy11

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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 5:02pm

Hi BigOLondo,

That is correct - the information is confirmed here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-spain#driving-in-spain

Kind regards,

Kim

Cheryl

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 7:47pm

Cheryl

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Location: Albatera

Joined: 8 Jun 2017

Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2021 7:47pm

If you are a UK resident you don't need to change to a Spanish licence, you don't even need an IDP.
https://www.petebarden.co.uk/news/articles/international-driving-permit-guide.html

Check again, I'm no expert, but I think that is the situation.


Loulou21

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:19am

Loulou21

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Posts: 233

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Location: Santa Pola

Joined: 9 Jan 2017

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:19am

I don't know where you got £3500 for taking your Spanish driving test but my son is doing his test in La Zenia, in English and at a cost of about €700!! 

Go into any Autoescuela and they provide lessons in Spanish or English.

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Kimmy11

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:16am

Kimmy11

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Joined: 8 Aug 2017

Posted: Thu Sep 16, 2021 8:16am

Hi BigOLondo,

It's not clear from your original post whether you're Resident in Spain, or Non-resident; however,  you now have the correct answer for each situation.

Kind regards, 

Kim

rds1234

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 8:31am

rds1234

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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 8:31am

My partner as insured her motorhome in Spain as she is going to put in storage and fly down and use it, I have told by her insurance that I can drive it with my uk license I’m a Spanish resident.

Cheryl

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:20am

Cheryl

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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:20am

rds1234 wrote on Fri Sep 17, 2021 8:31am:

My partner as insured her motorhome in Spain as she is going to put in storage and fly down and use it, I have told by her insurance that I can drive it with my uk license I’m a Spanish resident.

If you are a Spanish resident then you should have a Spanish driving licence surely? 

rds1234

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:56am

rds1234

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Joined: 16 Feb 2021

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:56am

Cheryl wrote on Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:20am:

If you are a Spanish resident then you should have a Spanish driving licence surely? 

Why do I need a Spanish license we can not exchange it I’ll never pass a test , her Spanish insurance company say it is legal for me to drive a uk plated motorhome with a uk license.

Cheryl

Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 11:09am

Cheryl

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Location: Albatera

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Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2021 11:09am

rds1234 wrote on Fri Sep 17, 2021 10:56am:

Why do I need a Spanish license we can not exchange it I’ll never pass a test , her Spanish insurance company say it is legal for me to drive a uk plated motorhome with a uk license.

Google "how long can I use my UK driving licence after becoming resident in Spain?"

The insurance company may not have been given the full story as it is illegal for you to drive in Spain on a UK licence if you have been resident for 6 months ( I believe the amnesty ends 31st October this year). Unfortunately in the event of an accident all this will come out and the insurance will be void.

Don't take my word for it but do your own research.

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