Changing your UK Driving Licence - Page 2

marcliff wrote on Fri Mar 17, 2023 12:17pm:

Click on my link. If you use Google Chrome it will automatically translate to English.

On the right is Canjes de Permiso Extranjero (Foreign Permit Exchanges)

Read more...

That takes you to Exchanges of Foreign Permit and asks you to select the country.

United Kingdom is on that list and has been since yesterday.between Portugal and Dominican Republic.

Then you opt for Face to Face then, on the next page, select appointment request.

Annoyingly, UK does not come up on that page. It tells you you have to select Office Formalities and then complete the next page.

I have contacted DGT to find out why it has to be done this way and not just select UK. If they reply I'll post the answer.

I know it's a new system and they may not have got around to it yet but you'd think they'd have been ready for it.

It also says that, if you are over 65, you can just turn up at the office without a prior appointment and they'll do it for you. Whether that works or not is down to Spanish bureaucracy. 

marcliff wrote on Tue Mar 14, 2023 9:46pm:

Now that the Ministry of the Interior in Spain has announced the bilateral agreement between Spain and the UK to enable those taking out residency in Spain from UK to exchange their driving licence, there are a few procedures to go through.

Those now coming to Spain and those already here will have a period of 6 months in which to exchange their licence as from March 16th 2023. You can do this even if you licence has expired since you have been here but not if it expired before taking out residency. Those coming to Spain after that ...

Read more...

...date will have a period of 6 months in which to exchange their licence from the date they take out residency. Failure to do so will mean you will not be able to drive in Spain and we don't want to have to go through the taking of driving tests again.

Firstly, you need an appointment with trafico. This can be done with the DGT at Alicante or Elche. You will need to make a cita previa (prior appointment) before attending. You can do this by calling 060 or completing a request online.

The updated page to obtain the appointment is now Cita Previa DGT

You will need to complete the application form which is here Exchanging Foreign Driving Licence

Once you have the appointment, you need to take the completed application form.
You need your passport and a copy.
Your NIE certificate and copy
Your residence card and copy. If you have a TIE this may obviate the need for your passport and NIE certificate but take them to be safe.

The medical and psychological test certificate. There are loads of posts on here where to get them done but this map shows you the recognised centres. Just enter your province (Alicante) and town. This will cost approximately 40 euro. Note it is only valid for a certain time so don't get it until your appointment is confirmed.
Your current UK licence and a copy.#
Two photographs 32x25mm.
The fee of €24.78. This can be paid at a bank or at the actual appointment.
If you are over 70 the fee is not applicable.

The British Embassy is advising that you do this straight away and do not wait until the 6 months approaches as you will not be able to change your licence nor drive in Spain once that 6 months is up.

marcliff wrote on Mon Mar 20, 2023 1:02pm:

No, you can't keep it. You have to exchange it within six months of taking up residency and they retain your UK one. If you don't exchange it, you are no longer legal after the six month period.

There is no problem driving in UK with a Spanish licence. 

Paul013 wrote on Mon Mar 20, 2023 2:23pm:

Thank you for that marcliffe.

The main reason I asked was because we have dual Australian & British Citizenship and will be moving to Spain directly from Australia.

Read more...

As we hold both UK or AU Driving Licences, which one would you think we have to exchange - our UK or AU licence and keep the other?

Gillyt59 wrote on Mon Mar 20, 2023 3:41pm:

Hi  Has anyone been able to get an appointment yet  Gillian