growinspain

Cool..

UKMS

so are you suggesting that anyone who hires a car in a foreign country needs to speak that language just in case they have an accident or need to call emergency services ? With respect that’s nonsense. However I don’t disagree that people should accept the law / rules in any given country whatever they are.

Stingychips

Tests are stressful even if your doing it in your own language. That’s funny how there are other candidates in the car with you thought lol

airways

He passed. Took the written test in English. The examiner spoke pretty good English apparently and google translate filled in the gaps. There were no other candidates in the car either. He said basically the examiner respected that he had been driving for years and was super friendly and helpful. There are quite a few people I know who have tested recently with the centre in Cadiz without problem. Apparently the key to passing the theory is doing the written test in English no matter how good you think your Spanish is. My Argentinian friend took it 11 times in Spanish and once in English.....

CrunchyFr0g

The British Ambassador to Spain with some cautious good news on this subject for those (like me) about to re-locate to Spain from the UK.

https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com...road-soon.html

Ronnyone

Unfortunately I imagine they mean a 6 month grace period for those who were resident before Brexit not 6 months for people who arrived after.

CrunchyFr0g

I've just seen this post from 4 days ago on the Citizens Advice Bureau Spain Facebook page:

The UK Ambassador has provided a video update on driving licence situation. Full video on Embassy FB page. He acknowledges the extreme distress and difficulties and outlines negotiations ongoing fault and progressing
Main salient points
1. Data issue. they say it is being solved and wont cause any issue which is extremely positive
2. Restoring interim driving permissions. Spain will not agree to this
3. Spain has agreed from the moment that an agreement is signed that you will be able to drive for 6 months while licence exchange
Finally he is extremely confident on agreement which could be in weeks

Notdunroamin

Same old blah blah blah.

UK could stop the nonsense which they have created at a stroke but won't.

Barriej

I think most people will be hopeful that ALL Uk drivers will be able to exchange without test.
BUT Im erring on the side like you that residents here before 31st Dec 2020 will be able to exchange all others will still need to take a test.

I am prepared to be wrong but I am not holding my breath.....

Notdunroamin

Do we take that to mean that you have not yet exchanged your licence?

spainrico

UK Embassy Madrid is issuing frequent updates via their Facebook page - Brits in Spain

https://fb.watch/duJ98ct7W4/

may need FB account...

Notdunroamin

Nothing new there, same old platitudes.

Spain will have refused a further extension out of frustration with UK and to force them into getting their fingers out but if after another 5 weeks, and with (allegedly) everyone working flat out on it, if agreement still hasn't been reached the signs are not good that they ever will.

As for Spain agreeing to a 6 month window to exchange IF an agreement does materialise given their record of delays and inefficiency multiplied by god knows how big an avalanche of applications, 6 years might be close to the mark!
​​​​​​
​

SanNico

If you're stopped with a foreign license, even EU, and have over 6 months of residency you will be fined for driving without a valid license.

Rosemary

This is the latest info from the embassy.

A message from HMA Hugh Elliott on driving licences
A shorter message this week, but my key point is that things continue to progress well. And, whilst there’s nothing specific to share with you, no news isn’t bad news and what I said last week still stands. Getting you back on the road is our top priority in the Embassy and we are working on it every day. There will be a further, more substantive update next week.
I understand your frustration that this process is taking so long and the very practical impact this has had on many people’s everyday lives. And I know that you would like an exact date when this will be concluded, but we can’t make any guarantees. As soon as we have a clearer picture we will let you know, but I am confident in saying we are nearly there.

Bomber Harris

Issuing a fine in those circumstances to the holder of a valid driving licence issued by another EU member state would be a contravention of EU law.