Does anyone know where to get clarity or evidence of which licence categories are automatically changed over when moving from uk to spain

Best to check on the DGT site.

Rosemary

On initial exchange all existing groups are transferrable but you may have to specifically ask for those above B & B+E to be included. In my own case the agent doing the exchange asked me if I wanted them.

Their resultant validity on the Spanish licence will depend on the periodicity of the associated medicals which are either 2 or 3 years, if you want to keep them beyond that then you will have too retake the medicals otherwise they will be cancelled. I don't know if you can subsequently reclaim them.

This is rooted in the EU directive which basically says that when exchanging a licence you cannot be deprived of your existing entitlements however their duration can be subject to local medical requirements.

DIRECTIVE 2006/126/EC, Article 13, para 2
"Any entitlement to drive granted before 19 January 2013 shall not be removed or in any way qualified by the provisions of this Directive."

Medicals: Annex iii, para 4

Applicants shall undergo medical examinations before a driving licence is first issued to them and thereafter drivers shall be checked in accordance with the national system in place in the Member State of normal residence whenever their driving licence is renewed.

Good luck finding that on the DGT site.