MikeJ

After 1st Feb most main POs will have them. Up until then there are only 90 branches. And it's not until then the The Post Office can issue the 1968 version (which might be need for Portugal). From 1st Feb you get a choice of 3 different IDPs: 1949; 1926; 1968 conventions each will probably cost £5.50 but may have different duration - the final details were not available at the PO I visited although it was obvious that the staff had been briefed.
Theoretically you will need 1968 for Portugal and 1949 for Spain in the event of a hard Brexit.

PS: For those of you who think I've become a bit of a knowall having been an ignoramus when I OP'd. As I didn't get a definitive answer I resorted to doing some serious research (by Google!,,) and legwork.
And I hope that my responses may have been of use to someone.

Martin mc

Jon-Bxl

Mike Martin

Its only through discussion like this that we can get to the bottom of this. Its clearly not easy!!!

Thanks Mike for opening the discussion

Now UK license holders can plan, and it might be that its a few quid '''insurance" to give peace of mind for the "new adopters" adapting to the (possible) change in the driving rules vs horrible trouble abroad.

Reading this I continue to feel concerned for the occasional traveller, who hasnt read this thread or done a similar detailed investigation/discussion.

Hopefully before high season the message will have gotten out.

Jon

PS I have no idea what UK expats abroad need to do to actually get the IDP(s) if they still have a UK DL.

neil77

Hi Jon, the Spanish citizens advice bureau advise that British expats living here exchange their driving licence for a Spanish one prior to March 29th. If they dont then the procedure is more than likely to be they will have to complete a Spanish driving test.
There are quite a few publications by the Spanish citizens advice bureau, and then there is loads of info on H.M.Govt site as well.
Here's one link re driving licence:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/br...iving-licence/
As I understand it, one has to apply for residency in Spain if you have lived here for 6 months, but one cannot apply to exchange the driving licence until you have lived here two years. I could be wrong on that but Im sure I read it somewhere in the reams of info that is on the internet.
Im currently going through the process of changing my driving licences to Spanish ones so if anyone needs any advice or help, please message me. There are conflicting requirements, eg. some places say you need a medical, some say you dont. But the medical is nothing to worry about, costs about 40 euros each and is a simple eyesight test and a stethoscope inspection and a few questions, one of which amazingly was - "do you snore"!! Then some particular sized photographs are needed similar to passport photos, all your documents as listed on the Trafico site and up to Huelva for the actual exchange. [Thats my next stage]
Not a hard process and Id rather that than do a Spanish driving test!

Fiberite

Hi
Re; the Spanish driving test,
I am told it is an automatic failure if you use your indicators.
Fiberite

Jon-Bxl

Thanks Neil

Gosh that is difficult (if I understand it - I may well have it wrong) . Subject to: IF there is a no-deal Brexit

1 Expats who meet the residency criteria before March 29 need to get their skates on! (like you are doing) - or get an IDP. I completely understand why you don't want to sit a Spanish driving test!

2: Those 'expats' that don't - need to get the IDPs. Which they need to pick up if they are going to the UK before 29/3. I haven't seen any info on getting the IDP outside of the UK ( AA, PO's etc) Likewise for visitors (non-expat Spanish)

3. Those 'expats' that have passed the residency requirements but for various reasons, don't want residency (some not to be discussed on a public forum!) need to go to step 2.

Bottom line (I think) is IF there is a no-deal Brexit, effectively all UK DL holders (who don't want to - or cant get a Spanish licence) will somehow need to get their hands on the IDPs (plural) before 30/3.

Simple - yes ?

Jon

Jon-Bxl

Fredbargate

You are allowed to use them so long as it is in no conventionally recognised way or they transmit useful information to any other road user.

EsuriJohn

Fiberite

Drivers must also be able to demonstrate thier skill at , double parking, parking on rounabouts and crossings and when negotiating a roundabout use only the right hand lane irrespective of where they exit ( no use of indicators of course)

irismary

Conversely, does anyone know whether with a Spanish Licence we will be able to drive in UK after Brexit. I assume it is possible to acquire an IDP in Spain, but have no idea how.

EsuriJohn

A & M

Yes, you will be able to drive in the UK with a Spanish licence, even after a no deal Brexit. This is what the UK Government official guidance note says on the topic:
"From 29 March 2019, in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, arrangements for EU licence holders who are visiting or living in the UK will not change.
Visitors with EU driving licences will not need an IDP to drive in the UK."
(Source: Guidance note "Prepare to drive in the EU after Brexit" published 25 Oct 2018, revised today, 1 Feb 2019).

ElizabethAnn

I should add that you are required by Spanish law to change your UK licence to a Spanish Licence once you have been resident for 2 years.

As I went to the DGT (Director General of Traffic) in Huelva yesterday to start the process I thought it might be useful to others to know the process so here's an up-to-date step by step guide for anyone based around Ayamonte. (For those who speak and read Spanish here's their key page online: https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/tramites-...-europea.shtml)

1) You need a Fit to Drive - medical certificate - which you get from the Specialist Doctor opposite the Zoo entrance in Ayamonte. No appointment required. Costs €40 Opening Times available on Google Maps but mostly 10 - 11:30am
RECONOCIMIENTOS MÉDICOS
Av. Ramón y Cajal, 9, 21400 Ayamonte, Huelva
676 47 62 41
https://g.co/kgs/ugQBBw

2) All the data / forms listed here (in English version) -https://sede.dgt.gob.es/Galerias/tra...ega_Ingles.pdf
3) The Photograph must be on photographic paper - not printed on paper from your photos like I did but you don't need it for your first appointment at the DGT.
4) The completed Form here: https://sede.dgt.gob.es/Galerias/tra.../Mod.03-ES.pdf
You can complete it online then "save as" a PDF and print it out.
5) Make an appointment to attend the DGT in Huelva and take all the documents required plus your photo and Medical Certificate. (I was lucky and the Administrator at the Doctor's Surgery made my appointment online for me on the day and time of my choosing. She speaks good English. You can do it online too at https://sedeapl.dgt.gob.es/WEB_NCIT_...itarCita.faces if you speak Spanish and / or can cope with the IT bit and google translate.)

At the appointment your documents will be checked and you will be given a dated receipt.

The next stage I have not reached yet but the lady at DGT explained to me what would happen next.

a) You then wait until the DGT contact you - they are checking with DVLA in the meantime that your Licence is valid and current, etc. - by email or phone to say you can return for the licence. This will be about a month - more or less. (Please note that the system that DVLA have of providing the info online that you can use to share your Licence data with third parties is not sufficient for their purposes so don't waste the paper.)

b) Make an appointment for your return - same link as above - and then return for the Licence with your UK driving licence and your photograph. This SHOULD all be explained in the email they send you.

c) Go to the appointment - don't know what happens then but you will either get you new Licence or a piece of paper to say you can drive while you wait for the new Licence to arrive in the post.

It was all quite painless and everyone was very nice and very helpful. It helped that I am TRYING to speak Spanish but as it is very slow for me still, inevitably I resorted to google translate app and they were all fine with that too once I mad the initial effort.

Hope this helps.

chrismortley

How easy was that
Takes 5 mins , no forms ,only need driving licence , passport photo & money the post office do the rest