Changing driving licence over
Jun 23rd 2012 | 5:13 am
#17
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,646
From: Near Alora....but not too near. :)
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.
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.
Jun 23rd 2012 | 5:17 am
#18
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 121
From: Nueva AndalucÃa.
Re: Changing driving licence over
Can you understand where I am coming from ?
Jun 23rd 2012 | 5:22 am
#20
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,646
From: Near Alora....but not too near. :)
Jun 23rd 2012 | 6:09 pm
#22
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 106
Re: Changing driving licence over
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.
Jun 23rd 2012 | 6:20 pm
#23
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 12,053
From: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
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.
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.
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
Jun 23rd 2012 | 6:38 pm
#24
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 106
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"
Jun 23rd 2012 | 7:39 pm
#25
Ex Expat
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,140
From: West Midlands, ex Granada province
Re: Changing driving licence over
We never changed our licences over. No requirement to, knew we were not going to be in Spain permanently, so saw no need.
Jun 23rd 2012 | 8:44 pm
#26
Retired and loving it!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,211
From: Ontinyent - Valencia region (campo)
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.
Jun 23rd 2012 | 10:10 pm
#27
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,231
From: Granada Costa
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.
If your local office is one of the latter then a gestor's fee is cheap at the price.
Jun 23rd 2012 | 11:46 pm
#28
Forum Regular
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 106
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.
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.
Jun 23rd 2012 | 11:55 pm
#29
Thread Starter
Banned
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 121
From: Nueva AndalucÃa.
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.
Jun 24th 2012 | 1:04 am
#30
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 12,053
From: In the middle of 10million Olive Trees
Re: Changing driving licence over
solely because they cannot issue points on a UK licence only a Spanish one
