Advice please
 

Advice please
Hi all, new to the group. I have rather unique question. Im aware that some if not all of the answers maybe judgemental, thats human nature. I am an hgv driver in the UK. Was. Last year I was servicing my car on my property on private land off the road. It was a weekend lovely sunny day, and i thought some nice wine whilst listening to music would be a good idea, right? WRONG! Several hours later, and copious amounts of wine, her majesties finest wandered onto the land, the keys were in the ignition, engine was running. Regardless of my vociferous protests, they breathalysed me. Showing me almost 3 times over the legal limit in Scotland of 24mg. Banned. Possession of a vehicle with intention to drive. 2 years big fine. OK, so im now thinking of maybe relocating to a different country, preferably spain spent a lot of time there with armed forces and have fond memories. Ive done a wee bit of research and so far as I can tell from UK.GOV website, I can gain a licence and drive in a foreign country, but cannot drive with that licence in the UK. Which isn't an issue for me as I'd have no cause to return. I would obviously have regain my hgv licence equivalent in Spain. Its a difficult one, im sure there will be some that look down on my predicament, but I am not, nor have I ever been a drink driver. But hgv driving is all ive ever done since armed forces, my family are all grown up. Im single, so im thinking the timing could be right? Except for maybe brexit and coronavirus of course. Thank you all for reading this. Hope you are all well and staying safe.

Re: Advice please
 

It sounds feasible, just a matter of having enough money to throw at the venture. Allowing for accommodation, completing any mandatory courses and tests. The lingo may or may not be a stumbling block? Probably no shortage of drivers?
When you said "two years big fine" was the two years bit the ban or a hotel stay on top?
Good luck whatever.

Re: Advice please
 

Ha ha no time at her majesties leisure. Two year ban and a big fine. I have accommodation sorted etc. Just wanted some advice as to whether my research was correct. From what I gather the uk does not have a reciprocal agreement with spain on driving licence bans etc. Even less so after January 2021. After the way i was set up and treated I have no intention of ever returning to the UK if I can help it.

Re: Advice please
 

I see that you have put an identical post in the Cyprus forum. Two very different countries, which one are you leaning towards the most?

Rosemary

Re: Advice please
 

Hi thanks for the response, ive definitely decided on spain, I just couldn't figure out how to delete the other post.
thanks
Steve

Re: Advice please
 

I have deleted it for you.

Rosemary

Re: Advice please
 

I sympathise with your situation, but there is no way you would get a driving licence in Spain.
As far as I am aware, and I am about to change my British licence for a Spanish one, they do do some checks with DVLA.

Re: Advice please
 

Once resident in Spain, you can do a driving test and will get a Spanish driving licence. He's not exchanging a licence, so is basically a new driver.

Re: Advice please
 

Language skills ? Spoken and written. Why would a Spanish firm hire an Anglo (or a Scot) for this job when he can get a local ? Sorry to sound negative.

Re: Advice please
 

Oh i agree, but I've already secured employment. Im not hgv driving in spain.
Sorry for the confusion.
Steve

Re: Advice please
 

Thank you that is also my understanding, I already have accommodation and employment in place.
Regards
Steve

Re: Advice please
 

My understanding is that if I were to try and exchange my currently suspended licence fir a spanish one, that would not work, however if I start the whole process again as a new driver and obtain a Spanish licence then thats perfectly legal.
Thanks
Steve

Re: Advice please
 

Yes...I guess so...Can´t see anything wrong with that. I don´t know how good your Spanish is....but the theory test is in Spanish.

Re: Advice please
 

I understand that there is a huge waiting time for driving tests due to the virus. The driving schools are getting really upset about it.

Re: Advice please
 

And there is a huge waiting time for Brits to get an appointment to change their UK licences to Spanish.

I struck lucky in getting one....but I must have tried online at exactly the perfect time.