[lyric050203]

Listen to the bloke down the pub if you must but the fact is, in short, NO ONE can drive a UK or any other foriegn registered car on Spanish roads unless they are a bonifida tourist and the same goes for RHD. You have to convert. END OF.

You are the 21st century equivalent of the man in the pub unless you can show the relevant law.

[amideislas]

Funny, you can insure foreign-plated cars, though. Wouldn't think that possible if it's illegal.
Insuring foreign-plated cars in Spain

The Germans with summer houses around here have German-plated cars kept in their garages all winter. All tell me it's perfectly legal, since they don't spend more than 183 days per year here (not tax-residents). They have Spanish insurance, though.

[Im_and_Er]

It would be foolish in the extreme to judge the validity of an alleged law on whether or not an insurance company is prepared to take your money !

Simply put if a vehicle has European type approval then no member state has the right or authority to declare it unsafe and refuse to register it.

Not Spain but this case refers all the same:

http://ec.europa.eu/enterprise/newsr...=en&tpa_id=138

If anybody does actually encounter this then they should immediately report it to SOLVIT but I wouldn't hold your breath !

[playamonte]

Originally Posted by amideislas Funny, you can insure foreign-plated cars, though. Wouldn't think that possible if it's illegal. Insuring foreign-plated cars in Spain The Germans with summer houses around here have German-plated cars kept in their garages all winter. All tell me it's perfectly legal, since they don't spend more than 183 days per year here (not tax-residents). They have Spanish insurance, though.

As far as I am aware a Spanish Insurance Company will not/cannot insure a non Spanish plated/registered vehicle.
An insurance broker based in Spain can though place a policy with a non Spanish insurance company as many expats know.
Mapfre / Linea Direct will refuse to insure foreign plated vehicles. (or used to anyway)

[playamonte]

Originally Posted by ukhozi My information is from the new ITV station in San Pedro de Alcantara who spent a lot of time researching this very problem, they also helped me with changing a none conforming kit car to Spanish. RHD cars no longer comply with safety rules regarding visability. If the ITV station chooses to ignore this is its up to them but the GC will not be so carefree in the future. Listen to the bloke down the pub if you must but the fact is, in short, NO ONE can drive a UK or any other foriegn registered car on Spanish roads unless they are a bonifida tourist and the same goes for RHD. You have to convert. END OF.

Ah a Kit Car, in that case changing the driving controls over may be an option & in that case Spain may well insist on this, but as for (RHD cars no longer comply) as you state above is not the case, for if it were this would end the import of UK cars into Spain.

On the last item from the above quoted post, do you mean that should you hold a Spanish Driving Licence you cannot legally drive a foreign plated vehicle as this is my understanding as well.

[ukhozi]

It doesn't matter what licences the driver has as long as it valid here, ie an EU one . Yes. The import of RHD cars will end. Already it is difficult selling one. Thinking one can continue to drive with gay abandon on non Spanish plates has gone. Miisinformation and rumour abound. David Searle's book You and the law in Spain will confirm what has been said. Drivning in Spain is also a good read. Failing that talk to you ITV manager and ask him to look it up.

[snikpoh]

Originally Posted by playamonte As far as I am aware a Spanish Insurance Company will not/cannot insure a non Spanish plated/registered vehicle. An insurance broker based in Spain can though place a policy with a non Spanish insurance company as many expats know. Mapfre / Linea Direct will refuse to insure foreign plated vehicles. (or used to anyway)

Simply not true (I don't think?)

IBEX insured our car whilst we were in the process of matriculating it. We had fully comprehensive cover on UK plates !

As I understand, IBEX are Spanish (?) although based in Gibraltar and are underwritten by Lloyds.

[ukhozi]

To be driven on the road a vehicle must be fully toad legal in the country of registration. UK cars must be registered by a MMIB member and although any overseas insurance company can apply to join, none have.

[Domino]

Originally Posted by ukhozi To be driven on the road a vehicle must be fully toad legal in the country of registration. UK cars must be registered by a MMIB member and although any overseas insurance company can apply to join, none have.

what is the EU regulation for toads ??

[ukhozi]

As has been said they would take you money but unless they are a MMIB. member it is not worth the paper it's on.(ref; You and the law in Spain) by David Searl.

[amideislas]

Originally Posted by ukhozi It doesn't matter what licences the driver has as long as it valid here, ie an EU one . Yes. The import of RHD cars will end. Already it is difficult selling one. Thinking one can continue to drive with gay abandon on non Spanish plates has gone. Miisinformation and rumour abound. David Searle's book You and the law in Spain will confirm what has been said. Drivning in Spain is also a good read. Failing that talk to you ITV manager and ask him to look it up.

how old is this story? I've been told that they changed the law on this just last year. I further understand that the Spanish restriction was in violation of EU law, and it's now a matter of where you are legally resident rather than whether your car is Spanish-plated or not. If you are a Spanish resident, you must get Spanish plates. Otherwise, c'est la vie.

and yes, IBEX does specialise in legally insuring foreign-plated cars. IBEX online quote

Like I said, virtually all the people who have summer homes here legally keep and drive cars plated in their respective countries. Mostly the Germans, but there are some Brits here with legal RHD cars with GB plates. 100% legal and insured, and yes, they have to keep the MOT up to date.

[ukhozi]

Originally Posted by amideislas how old is this story? I've been told that they changed the law on this just last year. I further understand that the Spanish restriction was in violation of EU law, and it's now a matter of where you are legally resident rather than whether your car is Spanish-plated or not. If you are a Spanish resident, you must get Spanish plates. Otherwise, c'est la vie. and yes, IBEX does specialise in legally insuring foreign-plated cars. IBEX online quote Like I said, virtually all the people who have summer homes here legally keep and drive cars plated in their respective countries. Mostly the Germans, but there are some Brits here with legal RHD cars with GB plates. 100% legal and insured, and yes, they have to keep the MOT up to date.

So they have to return to the UK (or Germany, France etc) at least once a year, or are you advocating the illegal practice of MoT by post scams which is not only criminal but bloody stupid! The annual test is a SAFETY CHECK not only for that car but for the safety of the rest of us on the road. There is a Honda Accord parked out font our community for the last 6 years, has a new tax disc and MoT every year and yes, I have reported it to the DVLA as what he is doing is a crime and I don't know if his suspension or brakes will fail when he is coming in the opposite direction to me one day, scares the bejesus out of me..

[ukhozi]

Originally Posted by amideislas how old is this story? I've been told that they changed the law on this just last year. I further understand that the Spanish restriction was in violation of EU law, and it's now a matter of where you are legally resident rather than whether your car is Spanish-plated or not. If you are a Spanish resident, you must get Spanish plates. Otherwise, c'est la vie. and yes, IBEX does specialise in legally insuring foreign-plated cars. IBEX online quote Like I said, virtually all the people who have summer homes here legally keep and drive cars plated in their respective countries. Mostly the Germans, but there are some Brits here with legal RHD cars with GB plates. 100% legal and insured, and yes, they have to keep the MOT up to date.

Which means they are home owners (if only for a few weeks a year) and not tourists, therefore their cars ARE illegal. only tourists can drive a foreing car in Spain on none Spanish plates. I have also heard (from my German neighbour) that there is a 'special understanding' between the Spanish and Germans, RUBBISH! The Germans have to comply just the same as the rest of of us.

[Chiclanagir]

I would like to see some official documentation which states that a RHD car will not pass an ITV. Ours had its annual check in October and nothing of this was mentioned. I would also state that it was matriculated on to Spanish plates 8 years ago. It really needs replacing now but the cost of Spanish cars new and old is ridiculous.

[lynnxa]

Originally Posted by ukhozi Which means they are home owners (if only for a few weeks a year) and not tourists, therefore their cars ARE illegal. only tourists can drive a foreing car in Spain on none Spanish plates. I have also heard (from my German neighbour) that there is a 'special understanding' between the Spanish and Germans, RUBBISH! The Germans have to comply just the same as the rest of of us.

owning property doesn't make you resident - equally you don't have to own property to be resident

non-residents can drive foreign plated cars - only residents can't