Jondee

hi,

I am moving over in a few weeks and my daughter is currently taking driving lessons. I have some questions that I need answering.

1. Would she be allowed to drive in Spain as soon as she passes her test in the UK? (I think I know the answer to that but need to confirm)

2. Would she be better off waiting untill she is in spain, take a few lessons driving on the right and pass her test in Spain?

3. Is car Insurance as much of a rip off as they are in the UK?

Thank you in advance for any replies

JD

derek500

1. Yes, as long as she's 18.

2. She'll have to be pretty fluent in Spanish to do that. No point.

3. Quite expensive here, but policies include european breakdown/accident recovery.

jdr

She will have to be over 18 to drive in Spain. Moped 14.
Most of the insurances are done on the car not the driver, any driver over 30 with a licence, if under 30 they usually add excess.
There are some companies on CDS that do an English test but most are in Spanish, so she would need to be pretty fluent.

Jondee

Thank you both that has helped a lot.

I had been told that you have to be driving for 3 years in order to drive abroad but I had the feeling that was something to do with car hire agreements and didnt apply if you intend to be a resident.

Regarding Insurance, I have just thought of another question

4. Does Spain have Direct Debit? i.e can the insurance be paid monthly?


Muchas Gracias

derek500

I pay all my bills by DDs (domiciliaciones). Don't know if you can do car insurance monthly. I'm sure it would be possible at a premium (sorry about the pun).

mikelincs

Newly qualified drivers in Spain have to display a Green L plate, not sure for how long but believe it is for a year, not sure if this would apply to a newly qualified driver who has passed test in the UK. You will only see green L plates as learner drivers here are ONLY allowed to be taught by registered driving schools. No-one is taught by their dad, mom, friend or other relative.

MnM

Hi Jondee,
If she is over 18 and has passed her UK driving test she can drive in Spain. Although, as a new driver, I would recommend she has a few lessons when she gets here to get her accustomed to driving on the left

As for car insurance, well you've got many replies to that one!

Best of luck
Martha

Mitzyboy

Im with Mapfre and you can pay monthly, quarterly or annually from your bank account.
I didn't find the policies too expensive to be honest (and I know Mapfre are not the cheapest). My UK car was under £400 in the UK and is that here too. Also, as stated above you get European breakdown cover also, and the insurance covers everyone in your immediate family. If my 23 year old daughter had passed her test she would be covered as well.