I now have a new Spanish licence but I am having trouble getting insurance in the uk as it is only 3 months old

If you have a Spanish licence why are you getting insurance from a UK company? 

When they ask how long have you held a licence then they aren't asking about this one but when you first got your licence. I think the number on the back of the Spanish licence gives the UK licence number which is the one you should quote.

Thank you so much for your reply.

The problem is I obtained Spanish residency as we have a house in Spain and after Brexit we were told it would be more difficult to get residency later, so we got it. But we’re not really living there yet. Then because I was a resident I had to change my license. Now I have found out this is a real problem for my insurance in the UK.

I have found one company “acorn” for over £3000 per year and I am going to write to my present company “LV” instead of calling, in the hope I will get a different reply. Anyway I’ll keep looking.

I know it’s not the answer to your question, but if you hold temporary residency here, but don’t live here, make sure you stick to the regulations about the amount of time you are allowed out of Spain. 

Regarding your vehicle in the UK it is possible for you , to have the vehicle  registered and insured by someone else, with you as a named driver. It could  also reduce your assets on your Spanish tax return???? 

Lynn

It would seem mcewena1 took out residency when it was simpler so prior to the withdrawal therefore will not be affected by the time in and out of Spain. I think that only applies if residency was gained after the withdrawal with a visa which stipulates the times in and out.

I also think the question from the insurance company about how long you've held a licence applies to the first time you had one.

I, for instance, passed a Cypriot driving test in 1969 and a British Forces one in 1972 but only got my UK licence from 1976 but the insurance company accepted I'd had a licence from 1969.

Don't knkw if they still issue them but give DVLA a call and ask for a 'Letter of Entitlement' which will state when you first obtained a UK licence and your entitlements.

Can only be done over the phone and used to cost £5 payable by card.

Hello. What a mess. Right. You do realize you can drive a max of a year in the UK on your Spanish driving licence which will if you look at it have had various entitlements to drive removed from it. So do not get caught out driving something you once could but now cannot in the UK. If you plan on moving to Spain within a year wonderful, problem solved. You stated you have been driving for over 50 years (Just a youngster then Ha) Therefore you are a minimum of 67 years old possibly a minimum of 68. NOTE REGARDLESS YOU MAY ONLY DRIVE IN THE UK UP TO 70 ON A EU LICENCE BEFORE OTHER ISSUES ENTER INTO THE EQUATION. You can also swap the licence back EU to UK if your plans change for living in Spain however you have a max of 5 years to do this before resitting a UK test. Well you would have to take a medical as the 5 year period would take you over the UK legal/fit to drive entitlement. I was going to say take out a basic motor traders policy working from home, cost approx 800 per year however forget that, there are ways around most problems in life, lets  keep everything legal, you have no comeback then. All my vehicles are insured through Abbeygate Insurance/Madrid in Spain. +34 951277455. I would ring them and explain matters. They are a decent honest company. I have been with them in Spain for nearly twelve years. There are many companies out there that would insure you if you look on the internet however as you have stated not cheap. If its any consultation I often make mistakes in life, I think that's a good idea  then the next day think "O dear what have I done" One will always learn until one passes. You need to think carefully, where will I be in 12 months time. Spain is a wonderful country, so much to see and do. Friendly people and warm sunshine. I am "out to pasture". Talk to Abbeygate, keep everything legal. I wish you peace and contentment for the future. My Regards. R.

Thank you so much for your reply and advice. I am beginning to wonder whether to give up on my Spanish residency even though it took a lot of trouble to get it. I don’t expect to move permanently to Spain yet as we are tied looking after grandkids and another is on the way.

NOTE REGARDLESS YOU MAY ONLY DRIVE IN THE UK UP TO 70 ON A EU LICENCE BEFORE OTHER ISSUES ENTER INTO THE EQUATIO

Gulp! I am 72. What issues.

Do you know if you change your licence back you get the original. It looks like I’m going to have to change my licence back anyway. I haven’t had time to cal the number you said but I will try tomorrow.

Thank you so much

Hello.  I have been working since 7 am this morning. We stopped several times for bacon sandwich's. Its now  gone 11 pm,  just finished replacing the main roof on our Finca with the help of 3 people. I thought you were over 70 but did not want to say. I am older. I was stripped of many items on my licence when I exchanged mine even though I asked "Like for Like". I have been driving forever, have loved/collected  motor vehicle's/steam traction engines  for very many decades going back to the Wilson pre- select gearbox fitted in many Daimler cars and various other quality hand made British cars now sadly gone. Am just about nodding off sorry. I am off to bed shortly after a cool Guinness. In the morning I have to collect a new vehicle for staff use which will replace our old Ibiza. When I am back in the afternoon I will reply to your questions. If you have a friend or your wife to drive you around at the moment then do so. I should be back around 4 pm tomorrow. 

I have UK registered motorhome but as a Spanish resident and with Spanish license I find no UK insurance companies to insure me I looked everywhere two years, and as the own I should have to put it on Spanish plates.

How I got around it was put my motorhome my partners name so she could insure it,I found the one and only UK insurance company that would insure me as a named driver as Spanish resident and with a Spanish driving license it is legal to drive the motorhome in Spain and Europe.

That cost me £ 900, I did find Spanish insurance company that would do it for €630 but I want store in the UK.

Don’t know if this helps or anything to do with the question.