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Driving licence

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 12:14pm
19 replies528 views5 members subscribed
Teresa14evans

Posts: 10

Location: Denia

Joined: 10 Sep 2020

We are looking for someone in the Denia region who can help us exchange our UK driving licences please

Herefordjack

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 1:28pm

Herefordjack

Super helpful member

Posts: 874

1088 helpful points

Location: Pego

Joined: 18 Dec 2017

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 1:28pm

Hi

My partner and I did ours about 18 months ago pre lockdown, but I think the procedure is basically the same. First thing to do is read and digest Jim's Guide on this site regarding changing your driving licence to the Spanish one, so you're fully briefed.

What's involved? (All my remarks are qualified by the fact I don't know what if anything has changed due to Covid). First, you both need to get medical certificates in one of the specialised driver's medical centres around the country. We went to the one in Marques de Campo, Denia, the main shopping street in the town, it's between the small Santander branch and the Movistar shop, halfway down on the left going towards the sea. Look for the sign 'Centro Medico Conductores' sticking out from the wall. They are only open at certain times, the opening hours are posted on a notice outside. They are on the first floor. No appointment was required, you just rock up and wait your turn. Costs about 35 euros per person. If you are reasonably fit and healthy, it's something of a formality. Apart from the usual form filling, there's a dexterity/reflexes test run by the receptionist where you sit in front of a computer screen and use paddles like a 1980's computer game to move a cursor along a moving road. The idea is not to touch the road edges, you'll cause a beep every time you do.

Then you go in to see the doctor, who goes through your medical history, checks your blood pressure, checks your eyesight on a chart, shows you colour blindness diagrams. At the end of all that, you should be issued there and then with your certificates which basically say you're fit to drive. They last three months.

Then you need to make an online appointment at the nearest Trafico office to suit you. Yours, like us, is probably Alzira, which is more than halfway to Valencia. Resign yourself to a day out and time your appointment so you can treat yourself to a menu del dia afterwards! You'll need the application form filled out and printed off, plus other documents and your UK licences. See Jim's Guide. The office in central Alzira is fairly easy to find. There is some onstreet parking nearby. The public side of the office is typical, a waiting area with seats and a display board showing the appointment numbers. You need to check in at the machine when you first arrive, and get a ticket with your number on it. When you get called, as Jim says, go up to the desk, apologise for your poor/non existent Spanish and hand over the documents. I think you pay the fee there and then by banker's card.

They'll tell you they'll call you back by e-mail when they want you to return. What's happening is that they contact the DVLS in the UK for your details, so their reponse determines how fast things move. Eventually they'll e-mail you and tell you they want you to come back in, maybe three/four weeks later. You go back to Alzira again, same routine (I know, what a pain), they take away your UK licences and they'll give you a temporary licence (piece of paper). They tell you your Spanish licence will arrive in the post. Hopefully, it goes smoothly and a few weeks later, you'll be the proud owner of a Spanish licence.

Teresa14evans

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 1:34pm

Teresa14evans

Original Poster

Posts: 10

Location: Denia

Joined: 10 Sep 2020

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 1:34pm

Herefordjack wrote on Thu Sep 10, 2020 1:28pm:

Hi

My partner and I did ours about 18 months ago pre lockdown, but I think the procedure is basically the same. First thing to do is read and digest Jim's Guide on this site regarding changing your driving licence to the Spanish one, so you're fully briefed.

What's involved? (All my remarks are qualified by the fact I don't know what if anything has changed due to Covid). First, you both need to get medical certificates in one of the specialised driver's medical centres around the country. We went to the one in Marques de Campo, Denia, the main shopping street in the town, it's between the small Santander branch and the Movistar shop, halfway down on the left going towards the sea. Look for the sign 'Centro Medico Conductores' sticking out from the wall. They are only open at certain times, the opening hours are posted on a notice outside. They are on the first floor. No appointment was required, you just rock up and wait your turn. Costs about 35 euros per person. If you are reasonably fit and healthy, it's something of a formality. Apart from the usual form filling, there's a dexterity/reflexes test run by the receptionist where you sit in front of a computer screen and use paddles like a 1980's computer game to move a cursor along a moving road. The idea is not to touch the road edges, you'll cause a beep every time you do.

Then you go in to see the doctor, who goes through your medical history, checks your blood pressure, checks your eyesight on a chart, shows you colour blindness diagrams. At the end of all that, you should be issued there and then with your certificates which basically say you're fit to drive. They last three months.

Then you need to make an online appointment at the nearest Trafico office to suit you. Yours, like us, is probably Alzira, which is more than halfway to Valencia. Resign yourself to a day out and time your appointment so you can treat yourself to a menu del dia afterwards! You'll need the application form filled out and printed off, plus other documents and your UK licences. See Jim's Guide. The office in central Alzira is fairly easy to find. There is some onstreet parking nearby. The public side of the office is typical, a waiting area with seats and a display board showing the appointment numbers. You need to check in at the machine when you first arrive, and get a ticket with your number on it. When you get called, as Jim says, go up to the desk, apologise for your poor/non existent Spanish and hand over the documents. I think you pay the fee there and then by banker's card.

They'll tell you they'll call you back by e-mail when they want you to return. What's happening is that they contact the DVLS in the UK for your details, so their reponse determines how fast things move. Eventually they'll e-mail you and tell you they want you to come back in, maybe three/four weeks later. You go back to Alzira again, same routine (I know, what a pain), they take away your UK licences and they'll give you a temporary licence (piece of paper). They tell you your Spanish licence will arrive in the post. Hopefully, it goes smoothly and a few weeks later, you'll be the proud owner of a Spanish licence.

Thank you very much, really helpful. I don’t suppose you know of anyone that can sort it all for us ?

Herefordjack

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 1:38pm

Herefordjack

Super helpful member

Posts: 874

1088 helpful points

Location: Pego

Joined: 18 Dec 2017

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 1:38pm

Teresa14evans wrote on Thu Sep 10, 2020 1:34pm:

Thank you very much, really helpful. I don’t suppose you know of anyone that can sort it all for us ?

I'm afraid not, we did it ourselves, as I said.

You should have a go, it's not that difficult, and you'll only end up blowing another 2/300 euros if you get a gestor involved. The point is, you've still got to be present at the medical exam (obviously) and the two Trafico appointments, so basically you're paying someone to accompany you and speak a bit of Spanish. Not worth it.

Teresa14evans

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 4:24pm

Teresa14evans

Original Poster

Posts: 10

Location: Denia

Joined: 10 Sep 2020

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 4:24pm

Herefordjack wrote on Thu Sep 10, 2020 1:38pm:

I'm afraid not, we did it ourselves, as I said.

You should have a go, it's not that difficult, and you'll only end up blowing another 2/300 euros if you get a gestor involved. The point is, you've still got to be present at the medical exam (obviously) and the two Trafico appointments, so basically you're paying someone to accompany you and sp...

...eak a bit of Spanish. Not worth it.

Thank you. I’ve heard mixed messages about the medical. I know it’s not mainland Spain but a friend of mine lives in Gran Canaria and he didn’t need a medical.

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Herefordjack

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:43pm

Herefordjack

Super helpful member

Posts: 874

1088 helpful points

Location: Pego

Joined: 18 Dec 2017

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 5:43pm

Teresa14evans wrote on Thu Sep 10, 2020 4:24pm:

Thank you. I’ve heard mixed messages about the medical. I know it’s not mainland Spain but a friend of mine lives in Gran Canaria and he didn’t need a medical.

Your friend may have done what's known as a licence exchange. Again I recommend Jim's Guide for the details.

Teresa14evans

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:35pm

Teresa14evans

Original Poster

Posts: 10

Location: Denia

Joined: 10 Sep 2020

Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2020 10:35pm

This post that was quoted has been deleted.

Thank you very much for all the help it’s much appreciated. I went on Jim’s guide and because I have 7 years until mine expires I think I can exchange without a medical but I can’t get an appointment atm - all booked up 🙄

SteveC1953

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 10:03am

Posts: 41

19 helpful points

Location: Denia

Joined: 5 Feb 2020

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 10:03am

We used a gestor who was very good and helpful. If you don´t mind paying for it try:-

                               Maria Trujillano GoyaA NIE NUMBER.  c/ Sertorio, 13 (Denia). 03700 - Alicante / Phone: (+34) 684 458 847Email: [email protected]www.anienumber.com 

Teresa14evans

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:08am

Teresa14evans

Original Poster

Posts: 10

Location: Denia

Joined: 10 Sep 2020

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:08am

SteveC1953 wrote on Fri Sep 11, 2020 10:03am:

We used a gestor who was very good and helpful. If you don´t mind paying for it try:-

                               Maria Trujillano GoyaA NIE NUMBER.  c/ Sertorio, 13 (Denia). 03700 - Alicante / Phone: (+34) 684 458 847Email: m...

Thank you, I will message her 😊

dinnerout

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:43pm

dinnerout

Legendary helpful member

Posts: 2180

2422 helpful points

Location: Beniarbeig

Joined: 18 Sep 2015

Posted: Fri Sep 11, 2020 12:43pm

Teresa14evans wrote on Fri Sep 11, 2020 11:08am:

Thank you, I will message her 😊

Bahia Driving school in Ondara will do it all for you, except the photos. I can recommend them. Very simple and for exchange licences only you do not need a medical. It's a simple eye test followed by an easy co-ordination test. You'd have to be deaf dumb and blind to fail it. The test centre is right upstairs from Bahia too, so very easy there.

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