SanNico

Interesting, thanks. A colleague was issued with a 200 Euro fine last night for that exact reason. The DGT have told them it's not a valid fine, Policia Nacional say it is.

The Policia Nacional also told me mine was invalid, despite what it says here:
Validity and exchange of an EU driving licence - Acquiring and renewing a driving licence - Vehicles - Citizens - Your rights and obligations in the EU - Tu espacio europeo - Punto de Acceso General (administracion.gob.es)

The only reason I can think of is that I haven't registered with the DGT yet. I was told I had to do this within 6 months of gaining residency but I can't find an official version of that instruction.

snikpoh

Completely false/untrue!


It does NOT need to be registered.

Ronnyone

Wow a fine last night and already had a reply from DGT and nacional police ?

Bomber Harris

It sounds to me that the Policia Nacional are incorrectly (unlawfully) applying the 6 month rule applicable to non EU licences to EU licences.

Re registering, as snikpoh has already stated you do not have to. The official instruction is contained in Article 16 Title 1 of the Spanish traffic law, is that you may volunteer to register your licence if you want to.
Los titulares de permisos de conducción expedidos en cualquiera de estos Estados que hubieran adquirido su residencia normal en España, sin perjuicio de lo dispuesto en el artículo anterior, podrán solicitar voluntariamente en cualquier Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico la anotación de los datos de su permiso en el Registro de conductores e infractores

LINK

SanNico

Yes. I also managed to get my appointment for exchange this morning to go on Monday. Not sure why you’re surprised or suggesting it’s not a genuine situation. If you use agencies everything is quick.

Stingychips

I won’t be applying for residency anytime soon. I’m happy driving around on my British licence with no messing. Seems like no one even the Spainish authorities have a clue what is going on.

Notdunroamin

Exchanging what, are they actually processing pre registered UK licences.?

SanNico

My driving license. I have no idea about UK licenses as I converted mine to an Italian license about 5 years ago

Bomber Harris

Converted a UK licence to an Italian one?
Hope your appointment goes without any hitches.

Where a Member State exchanges a driving licence issued by a third country for a Community model driving licence, such exchange shall be recorded on the Community model driving licence as shall any subsequent renewal or replacement.Such an exchange may occur only if the licence issued by the third country has been surrendered to the competent authorities of the Member State making the exchange. If the holder of this licence transfers his normal residence to another Member State, the latter need not apply the principle of mutual recognition set out in Article 2.

Notdunroamin

If you're a visitor observing the 90/180 day rule then nothing in this thread applies to you so why bother with such comments?

If on the other hand.........!!!!

SanNico

Yes, exchanged in 2019, so not 5 years as I stated. The appointment went with one hitch, the system was down so I have to wait for them to email the temporary license. They said I should have the new license in 15-90 days. Total cost 28.87 plus whatever the agency is going to charge me for arranging the appointment.

I asked about the 2 year rule for EU license holders out of curiosity. It's not necessary unless you have an EU license with wither no expiry date (not sure who issues those) or 15 years for standard licenses and 5 years for the other groups (HGV etc.). In other words mine is a voluntary exchange. I asked how it would work if I didn't exchange it as in a few weeks I will no longer have an Italian correspondence address. From the Spanish side it's not a problem as apparently any fines are linked to the registered address of the car but from the Italian side it could be a problem. In practice I doubt it would matter to the Italian authorities as everything is linked to your fiscal code and you're obliged to tell them where you are.

Barriej

That's interesting so what in effect anyone who exchanged a UK licence while the uk was still in the EU could then make another exchange if they moved to another EU country...

​​​As to driving licences with no expiry dates. I alway thought the paper uk one was like this. One of the reasons for the change to photocard in the UK and 10 years was to bring the uk in line with the EU rules. Of course I could be wrong....

Mark604

Germany issued driving licences with no expiry date. Not just paper ones but photocard ones as well but since 2013 any issued have to be renewed after 15 years.
The earliest issued unlimited ones have to be replaced by 2026.

Notdunroamin

France also, Jan 2013 was the final date under the EU directive for the switch to photocard licences with a determined life span, 15 years was the maximum permitted.
Smart people there exchanged their UK photocard licences prior to that as the old paper French licence you got was valid for life. Theoretically they are all supposed to be replaced by photocards by 2033.

Stingychips

Sorry to break it to you but the only post I made was about me not applying for residency. Lol