International Driving Permit

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 10:41am

4 replies80 views3 members subscribed

Paul2109

Posts: 104

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Location: La Zenia

Joined: 6 Dec 2020

Hi all,

I'm currently in the process of applying for my NLV and once I am in Spain, I will have 6 months to obtain a Spanish Driving Licence. Im hoping that within that time, there will be an exchange agreement, whereby I don't have to do a full Spanish driving test. I understand that it's possible to obtain an International Driving Permit from the Post Office in the UK, that would allow me to drive on my UK licence for one year, thus doubling my period of hope for a licence exchange agreement. Does anyone know if this would be legally acceptable in my circumstances? Thanks.

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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 11:04am

blaze451

Posts: 10

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Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 21 Aug 2021

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 11:04am

Hi,

no it wont allow you to drive for 1 year. It is valid for 1 year but that does not mean it allows you to drive for 1 year.You are still subject to a max 6 months before requiring to exchange for a spanish licence.(also an international permit is not required in Spain) It is also unlikely that an agreement will be reached any time soon as is not a priority. So you should probably brush up on your Spanish if you dont already speak it 😀

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 11:07am

Darro

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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 11:07am

No, an IDP is nothing more than a translation of your UK licence. You don't need one to drive in Spain but neither will it serve the purpose you're hoping for.

You will have 6 months to take a Spanish test and that's it.

I wouldn't hold your breath for an exchange agreement and I certainly wouldn't hang onto it as an excuse to delay studying for a Spanish test, that can easily take the 6 months you have.

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 2:51pm

Paul2109

Original Poster

Posts: 104

24 helpful points

Location: La Zenia

Joined: 6 Dec 2020

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 2:51pm

Thanks for the answers - I thought that would probably be the case but wirth asking, eh? Mi Espanol es muy poco - but you can request both English speaking Instructors and Examiners, so I understand.

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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 3:02pm

blaze451

Posts: 10

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Location: Torrevieja

Joined: 21 Aug 2021

Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2021 3:02pm

Paul2109 wrote on Wed Nov 24, 2021 2:51pm:
Thanks for the answers - I thought that would probably be the case but wirth asking, eh? Mi Espanol es muy poco - but you can request both English speaking Instructors and Examiners, so I understand.

You can get english speaking instructors, but the chances of getting the examiner to speak english are slim to next to none.The multi choice test can be done in english (though I have heard the translation is a bit iffy and makes it harder than it should be) but the actual driving test is done in spanish. Again I have heard that in some instances the examiner did speak english but by far the majority wont, and to count on it would be a serious mistake.