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-   -   Driving licence exchange - timescale (https://britishexpats.com/forum/spain-75/driving-licence-exchange-timescale-908858/)

VEDShappy Feb 9th 2018 8:06 am

Re: Driving licence exchange - timescale
 

Originally Posted by guyparry (Post 12437764)
Just had ours done by our Gesto and was told the licence should take 4-6 weeks to arrive In the post.

For information, how much do they charge for this service?

olivefarmer Feb 9th 2018 9:37 am

Re: Driving licence exchange - timescale
 
One in our local town charges 80 euros. That excludes the medical which I have read elsewhere varies but is approx 40 euros.

teuchterpete Feb 12th 2018 5:52 pm

Re: Driving licence exchange - timescale
 

Originally Posted by snikpoh (Post 12435997)
Just exchange it for a photocard one and then you need do nothing in Spain until that (new) one is due to expire.


Will it still be "valid" in The EU after Brexit?

BritInParis Feb 12th 2018 5:59 pm

Re: Driving licence exchange - timescale
 

Originally Posted by teuchterpete (Post 12440527)
Will it still be "valid" in The EU after Brexit?

It will be valid. I think the question you are asking is whether UK licence holders resident in the EU27 will need to exchange their existing GB licence or apply for a new licence in their country of residence. That will depend on the outcome of the Brexit negotiations.

teuchterpete Feb 13th 2018 11:42 am

Re: Driving licence exchange - timescale
 
Agreed. In the UK, holders of non EU licences need to change it for a UK licence after 6 months, i.e. it is not valid after that time. Will this be the case in the EU with UK licences after brexit? Unless course a dispensation is put in place in the Brexit agreement.

lurchio Feb 13th 2018 12:02 pm

Re: Driving licence exchange - timescale
 

Originally Posted by teuchterpete (Post 12441043)
Agreed. In the UK, holders of non EU licences need to change it for a UK licence after 6 months, i.e. it is not valid after that time. Will this be the case in the EU with UK licences after brexit? Unless course a dispensation is put in place in the Brexit agreement.

Good point,but another dispensation to add to the hundreds that will be needed for all sorts of other reasons and it all happens in just over a years time..... I have little faith that they will all be covered, or even realised!
Simply put, if Spain is your permanent home, get a Spanish driving licence ASAP, you simply can't count on the Politicians to cover any bases, so cover them yourself as far as possible!

BritInParis Feb 13th 2018 12:14 pm

Re: Driving licence exchange - timescale
 

Originally Posted by teuchterpete (Post 12441043)
Agreed. In the UK, holders of non EU licences need to change it for a UK licence after 6 months, i.e. it is not valid after that time. Will this be the case in the EU with UK licences after brexit? Unless course a dispensation is put in place in the Brexit agreement.

It's 12 months but I take your point. The UK exchanges a dozen of so non-EU licences without any further testing required. Various other EU countries also have reciprocal agreements in place with non-EU countries so if no blanket deal is done you may find individual member states will make their own bilateral reciprocal agreements with the UK. Until the negotiations are concluded no-one will be able to give you a definitive answer.

If you have a UK licence and you are currently resident in Spain then you may wish to hedge your bets and exchange it now.

spainrico Feb 17th 2018 2:43 pm

Re: Driving licence exchange - timescale
 
I thought an exchange was possible without a medical?

lurchio Feb 17th 2018 3:41 pm

Re: Driving licence exchange - timescale
 

Originally Posted by spainrico (Post 12444314)
I thought an exchange was possible without a medical?

Did ours last year, had to have a medical. Same applied to a friend last December - medical.

bobd22 Feb 17th 2018 4:13 pm

Re: Driving licence exchange - timescale
 
This link outlines ages for and periods between drivers medicals for licences. It starts from 18 years old

Welcome - Driver Medical Test: British Drivers in Spain

Fred James Feb 17th 2018 4:27 pm

Re: Driving licence exchange - timescale
 

Originally Posted by spainrico (Post 12444314)
I thought an exchange was possible without a medical?

Officially, you are correct as there is no mention of that requirement on the DGT site. I think they assume that you would only have a have a foreign licence if you had had a medical. That’s true in most countries but as usual, the UK aren’t bothered about technicalities like that!

If you get a Gestor to handle it he will ask for a medical certificate just to make sure he has all bases covered. If you go to an official centre they just want the fee for the medical which goes to them.

That said, as usual, it will also depend on the DGT office that your application goes as of ever, they make up the rules to suit themselves.

When I exchanged many years ago, no medical was required until it came up for renewal.


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