Why do you need an idl to drive in spain

You mean IDP not IDL but legally you don't need one to drive in Spain.

Some hire car companies still insist one though and the police are not always up to speed either so to cover all bases it's best to get one just in case.

It could turn out to be the best £5.50 you ever spent!

You need one thanks to Brexit (don't you just love it!) and you can get one from the Post Office in the UK. 

Check the UK government website it shows no IDP required.

According to the UK Gov website a international driving permit is not needed in most cases. Read the attached for full details.

https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit

Aitch.

You do not actually need one if your a holder of a plastic type licence but for peace of mind it is worth it.

1 you can get it from a UK Post office.

2 Cost £5.50

3 Lasts 12 months.

4 just take passport size photo, payment, and your driving licence. 

This is fact because I did it on Tuesday.

For those that need to query whether they need a IDP I have supplied a link to the N332 facebook page which will give you definitive information. The N332 page is compiled by the Spanish Police and the information is translated into English by them.

Scroll down and you will find lots of helpful and informative information on this subject, but in essence and in general, for UK drivers there is no legal requirement to have an IDP. Whether an IDP is useful in certain circumstances has been covered already, the application and cost for one is minimal, and that procedure has also been explained by other forum members.

https://www.facebook.com/DrivingSpain/ 

Regards,

Bob

Correct me if I'm wrong, but this article appears to be referring to UK drivers with UK registered vehicles whilst visiting Spain/Europe.

I have a Spanish Reg car and also have annual parking at  Alicante airport and use it during my 90/180 day rule allowance. 

I am non resident, hence never going to be in Spain for more than 3 months at a time and assume that my UK plastic licence will still be valid and I will not need an IDP.

Any advice would be welcome.

Thanks 

Brian.

Thanks for posting this Bob.  

The N332 officers have also been co-ordinating appeals and refunds for those UK tourists who have been incorrectly fined for not having an IDP because it is not required - unless you have the old style, paper licence.  Despite all the fuss on social media, N332 reported that only 31 people had reported being incorrectly fined and, after investigation, it came back to some specific officers who didn't understand the rules!

Kind regards,

Kim

Thanks Villas, this confirms what I'd previously reported from the N332 website.  Whilst the majority of UK drivers do not need an IDP to drive in Spain, this news article doesn't mention the exception in respect of UK drivers who have the old style paper licence - in that case, they do need an IDP.

Let's hope that the Government statement filters through to the car hire companies!

Kind regards,

Kim