UK DRIVING LICENCE - Page 2

garyc7907 wrote on Sun Nov 20, 2022 1:20pm:

Hola Steve, just to clarify your previous statement, does this mean that when you take driving lessons in Spain you do not need a licence at all; as long as you are with a Driving Instructor???

beckfordburger wrote on Wed Nov 23, 2022 1:41pm:

You might find this link useful. You need to do everything through an approved driving school. It's not like the UK.

https://spanishnewstoday.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-ge...

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...t-a-spanish-driving-licence-these-are-the-7-things-you-have-to-know..._1770437-a.html?_ga=2.134740089.929409910.1669206945-528652536.1669206945

garyc7907 wrote on Sun Nov 20, 2022 11:40am:

Hola everyone, can anybody tell me the latest farcical situation reference the use of our UK Driving Licence in Spain and its possible solution?? I am sure there are many British ex-patriots that are currently stuck in “no man’s land” with the current ruling with no method of transport othe...

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...r than begging lifts from friends, neighbour’s or getting a taxi?? Surely this situation has gone on long enough for everyone.?? Is it worth getting a “provisional” Spanish driving licence and doing a few lessons and then taking a driving test?? Any advice would be gratefully received 🙂👍

Golandrina wrote on Wed Nov 23, 2022 5:44pm:

Have a look at the N332 website as it deals with anything to do with driving in Spain and it is for English speaking people.   The site is run in collaboration with officers of the Guardia Civil and has an English version of the Spanish equivalent of the Highway Code on it.

Claudio59 wrote on Wed Nov 23, 2022 6:34pm:

Hi Gary,

You have used the right definition, "farcical"...as it stands there are currently only two countries in the EU not recognising automatic exchange ot UK licences, Italy and Spain, as of latest news the situation seems to be about to be solved for both ( I am in the same situation, holder of UK lic...

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...ence despite not even being British but trapped in this)

From direct experience and feedback to questions from official bodies the advice is not to go down the taking lessons and test route UNLESS you really need to drive.

The reason is simple, by doing so you will spend LOTS of money and time as it will be months before you get to pass a test....assuming you pass it there will be more months to wait to get you licence, which will put you in the "newly qualified drivers" section, basically as if you had never driven before, with all implications involved, insurance premiums, half points allowance etc. etc... 

Waiting for the stalemate to be cleared will equally involve months but when this will finally happen you will be able to convert your licence at equal conditions.

It's down to every individual's situation and needs to decide which way to go, either way there will be a very long wait.

Hope it hepls

Darro wrote on Thu Nov 24, 2022 11:37am:

It's reported that the waiting list for driving tests runs to some 300,000 which I presume to be national.

To my knowledge there are no fast track mechanisms such as you might find in UK.

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If not fluent in Spanish the theory test can be difficult and time consuming challenge, yes you can sit it in English but apparently some of the translations leave a lot to be desired. 

Even in Spanish some questions are counter intuitive so you can imagine how those might translate and trip you up.

Kimmy11 wrote on Sun Nov 20, 2022 1:59pm:

Hi Gary,

Based on my neighbour's recent experience, who passed his practical test on Friday, that is correct.  First of all, he had to register with a driving school, taking his TIE, Padrón and 2 coloured photos.  Then he spent several weeks learning in the classroom to prepare him for taking t...

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...he driving theory test, which he had to pass before being allowed to take to the road.  Several driving lessons later with a qualified instructor, he took his practical test last week - he's been issued with a document confirming his pass result, which he has to carry in his car until his card licence is issued to him via the driving school.

Bearing in mind the British Embassy's announcement in June that everything had been resolved and just needed to be ratified by each Government, even if things progress smoothly from now on, I can see it being several months more before the legalities are completed.  In Hugh Elliott's words, "We will now take forward the remaining steps including legal checks, securing ministerial approval on both sides, which for Spain is by the Consejo de Ministros (the Spanish Cabinet), and the necessary treaty processes and formal exchanges".  That doesn't sound to me like a process which is likely to be completed this side of Christmas, but I sincerely hope I'm proved wrong.

Kind regards,

Kim

Lady in Purple wrote on Fri Nov 25, 2022 6:12pm:

Hell can you confirm whether the practical test was in English or Spanish please