Changing driving licence over
 

I want to change my driving licence over to a Spanish one, I have just browsed the free beer thread and read up what ever was in there about it but it don't tell you the full procedure.

I know I need to first get a certificate of entitlement in Spanish from DVLA question is can I obtain that even though I am already in Spain ?

Who do I approach once I do get it ?

And once changed over can I just use my new Spanish licence as normal in the UK ?

Thanks.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

There's a very good section in the Wiki about a members first hand experience of exchanging his licence.

http://britishexpats.com/wiki/Spain_...tocard_licence

You don't need anything from the DVLA so long as you have your current UK licence. Some offices ask for a medical certificate but normally that isn't needed on a simple exchange.

The information on the Trafico site does not mention a medical but the individual offices seem to make up their own rules.

http://www.dgt.es/was6/portal/conten..._Y_NORUEGA.pdf

The simple (but more expensive) option is to get a gestor to do it for you - probably about €50

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Hmmm always forget you can use a gestor for just about anything they are a god send sometimes :-)

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

True and it avoids those large bruises on your head caused by banging it on the wall frequently!

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

I used a Gestor, cost 50euro, money well spent as it would have cost much more than that for the trips back and forth to Traffico Granada.

You can use your Spanish licence in UK no problems (actually easier than a UK licence as there is no paper part).

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

I found probs with a spanish license when trying to add me onto my parents policy for a short time.... think about it before you change over!!

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Well I tried and failed.

I went to the traffico in Seville last October armed with all the relevant paper-work including medical cert, photos etc, paid my fee and was told they would ring me after 6 weeks.

I'm still waiting for the call :unsure: :(

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Surely all your friends on the caravan parks know the answer to this one.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Found it a simple and pain free process. Trafico in Alicante, queued up to pay, given ticket for right window, handed over my completed form and medical certificate, sent off to DVLA to confirm licence was valid, letter arrived asking me back to Trafico, handed over UK licence & given temporary Spanish one, letter arrived telling me to collect new licence. Whole process took 5 weeks. Delays are more than likely caused by DVLA.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Slightly off topic I accept, but possession of a UK licence is very useful if you wish to open a UK bank account! Try it with a Spanish licence.
And yes I know and fully accept the requirement in law to have a Spanish licence etc, I'm just making a point that the UK licence is a very good ID document when in the UK and giving it up has some, albeit perhaps minor, consequences.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

AFAIK there is nothing in the law requiring this - it just makes good sense.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

What's wrong with a passport?

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

I changed over to a Spanish licence through a Gestor. It cost 90 Euros, money well spent.

However, should I have to return to the UK, I would want to change back to a UK licence. Has anybody done it?

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

I went over to UK recently to attend my brother's wedding. I asked him to put me on his car insurance as this would be easier and cheaper than hiring a car for the week. I was stunned by the cost - £400

The problem, it seems, is that I live in Spain and don't have a UK licence!


Here we have changed our insurance policy to allow anyone over 30 to drive - the annual extra cost is about 30 euros! (whether they have Spanish licences / UK ones or whatever).

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Why u trying to be clever through a forum you little wrongen ain't you got anything better to be doin you silly sap

Leave me out ya bad div

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Err ... if you have off site issues with a poster then suggest you leave em there
Thanks

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Very simple for us using a Gestor, we just handed over the completed forms, photos and medical certificates and 100€ for us both.
We had been issued with a temporary paper to drive with until our photo card licences arrived three weeks later, it was all very easy.

Over the last four years I've hired a car in the UK several times using my Spanish licence with no problems at all.
I've also used the licence there for identification purposes with no problems either.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Look back through the thread please and look for the sarcastic comment made towards me. Had I done anything wrong ? If he hadn't of made that comment in the first place I wouldn't have piped up.

Can you understand where I am coming from ?

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Is that you LUSHDADDY???????????????

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

No
Back to topic please

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

:ohmy::ohmy:
That's taking the p*ss. It's such an easy thing to do, even speaking limited Spanish.

€200 for less than one hour's work? You've been had.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

I think you will find Meg is saying €100 for the two = 2 x €50
Gestors seem to have set fees for doing things, it is in their interest to get things done smoothly
There are so many of them around it can't just be the lazy expats who use them, especially out here in amongst the olives where expats are a very small % of population

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Even at 100 Euros it is expensive for standing in a short queue for a few minutes as "we just handed over the completed forms, photos and medical certificates"

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Our gestor would have to drive for two hours to get to trafico!

We never changed our licences over. No requirement to, knew we were not going to be in Spain permanently, so saw no need.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

I disagree, I think that is very reasonable. We paid the same. For us it would have been an hours drive to Valencia plus an hour back, parking in Valencia plus all the associated hassle. I think it was money well spent, for us.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

I would also point out that the situation at each Trafico office can vary from incredibly helpful to downright obstructive.

If your local office is one of the latter then a gestor's fee is cheap at the price.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Or more likely pay someone closer to do it for him ;)

In general I think gestors can be worthwhile and money well spent but, in some cases, take the piss. But each to their own I guess. Having done the licence transfer twice now, it really is a simple process.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Iv decided not to bother because there is no need really. I'm sure somebody said on here before though that the guardia start being funny with you if you have got a uk licence and your driving a Spanish car. Then again there are plenty of Brits driving rentals about on uk licence.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

solely because they cannot issue points on a UK licence only a Spanish one

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Good point. What's it like the points system on a Spanish licence ? 12 points before a ban ? 3 points for using phone while driving ?

In other words is it same as uk ?

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

others will be able to tell you more about the points system in Spain, but I do know they like to pull Brits for driving using flip-flops down in the CDS.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Ha jokers ain't they but then again it can be quite dodgy driving in flip flops I wouldn't like to do it.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Almost only they give you 12 points and then take them away from you.

Details here http://www.dgt.es/was6/portal/conten...ion_Puntos.pdf

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Any chance you could explain that too me because iv got no chance of reading that ha.

I start a Spanish course September though wheyyy.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Try Google Translate or Google Spanish driving licence points.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

I wondered about the flip flop thing do they mean flip flops as I know them i.e. no back on them? I presume wearing sandals if if quite flimsy with an heel strap is ok?

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

around our way they are fining anyone with open toes - even with a heel strap - & they're not just pulling Brits.............

the rule is actually 'suitable shoes' - so maybe it's down to interpretation ........ & how many goals Spain score ;)

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Thanks Lynnxa I must admit I have driven in sandals I don't wear flip flopsI will use my trainers in future.

Re: Changing driving licence over
 

Little bits of good info like that mean a lot really just saved me about 200€ ha. They are badly corrupt here any fine goes in the copper who pulls you's pocket.