Join the Villamartin forum
My name's Alex and this is my website all about Villamartin in Spain. Register now for free to talk about Driving, hiring, buying and owning a car in Villamartin and much more!
Can anyone clarify whether I need an IDP to hire a car in spain now that we're post Brexit, I have a full valid uk driving licence and live in the uk but have had them in previous years but never been asked to produce them. Can't seem to find a definitive answer from either gov.uk or the hire company, any feedback would really help, thanks.
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:14pm
Helpful member
just uk licence
Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:18pm
jack1959 wrote on Sun Nov 14, 2021 9:14pm:
just uk licence
Many thanks
That's too simplistic an answer.
True as far as the law in Spain goes you do not need an IDP, the UK gov website 'helpfully' says thay you may need one.
but....
There was a case just a week or so ago where someone was refused a hire car at Alicante because he did not have one.
Hire companies are free to impose whatever conditions they choose so either check specifically with yours or just get an IDP and be done with it.
Definitely get one if you still have an old paper licence!
Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2021 9:08am
Marela wrote on Sun Nov 14, 2021 7:34pm:
Can anyone clarify whether I need an IDP to hire a car in spain now that we're post Brexit, I have a full valid uk driving licence and live in the uk but have had them in previous years but never been asked to produce them. Can't seem to find a definitive answer from either gov.uk or the hire com...
Read more...
...pany, any feedback would really help, thanks.
What is an IDP please?
Advertisement - posts continue below
Bosscat wrote on Mon Nov 15, 2021 9:08am:
What is an IDP please?
Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2021 9:18am
Villas wrote on Mon Nov 15, 2021 9:10am:
https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/get-an-idp
https://internationaldrivingpermit.org/country/spain/
Read more...
V
Ah righto, I've been hiring cars in Spain for thirty years and never been asked to show one, is it really worth getting one?
Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2021 10:41am
Darro wrote on Mon Nov 15, 2021 7:25am:
That's too simplistic an answer.
True as far as the law in Spain goes you do not need an IDP, the UK gov website 'helpfully' says thay you may need one.Read more...
but....
There was a case just a week or so ago where someone was refused a hire car at Alicante because he did not have one.
Hire companies are free to impose whatever conditions they choose so either check specifically with yours or just get an IDP and be done with it.
Definitely get one if you still have an old paper licence!
My thoughts exactly, the last thing I need is to be refused a car for the sake of a piece of paper. It's just another money making scheme as we all know but it's only a fiver for the year so for piece of mind I'll be getting mine, thanks so much for the info, much appreciated.
Bosscat wrote on Mon Nov 15, 2021 9:18am:
Ah righto, I've been hiring cars in Spain for thirty years and never been asked to show one, is it really worth getting one?
If case you hadn't noticed things have changed since Brexit!
An IDP cost's £5.50 and a trip to a post office so why wouldn't you just get one?
Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2021 12:40pm
Darro wrote on Mon Nov 15, 2021 11:41am:
If case you hadn't noticed things have changed since Brexit!
An IDP cost's £5.50 and a trip to a post office so why wouldn't you just get one?
I wouldn't get one because the latest Spanish government advice says I don't need one.
Find more Driving, hiring, buying and owning a car topics from a particular area:
Or view all Driving, hiring, buying and owning a car topics in all of Costa Blanca.
