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Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Old Jan 2nd 2021, 4:51 pm
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Default Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Hello,my residency application is in Pipeline,not heard a anything yet,the 30Dec has passed,are we doomed to take the Spanish test ?, heard rumours about extending the deadline,but nothing concrete, anybody heard anything that might give us hope . TIA
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Old Jan 2nd 2021, 8:58 pm
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

You could sign up for e-mail alerts on https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-i...tay-up-to-date and pray for good news.
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Old Jan 2nd 2021, 9:33 pm
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Hola,

Currently, Yes, you are too late unless anything turns up; Your best course of action is to contact a Spanish solicitor as they have ways of getting through the paperwork that others don't and if there is a way, they are likely to be the ones that know it.

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Old Jan 3rd 2021, 1:50 pm
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Hasn’t there been something on the news about EU continuing to recognise British licences?
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Old Jan 3rd 2021, 3:17 pm
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

For visitors and tourists a UK licence remains valid without an IDP.

For residents and those in the process of acquiring residence, provided they have registered their intent to exchange their licence with DGT before Dec 31st. they have 6 months in which to actually complete the process.

Anyone who missed that deadline unfortunately is going to have to take a Spanish test.

Although the deal agreed on Christmas eve allows for further discussion on various points there is nothing in it about driving licences so the chances of anything changing are pretty much nil.
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Old Jan 3rd 2021, 4:02 pm
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Originally Posted by Stingychips
Hasn’t there been something on the news about EU continuing to recognise British licences?
For British residents, Spain will recognise British driving licences up until the end of June. That's to give you time to either finish the exchange process started in 2020 or take a Spanish test.

Last edited by DLC; Jan 3rd 2021 at 4:05 pm.
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Old Jan 15th 2021, 5:50 am
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Yes.

It is possible Spain, or even Europe, may sign a bi lateral agreement with the UK in due course but I would not hold my breath.

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Old Jan 15th 2021, 10:20 am
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Given the rocky if not chaotic start to UK's journey to "prospering mightily" outside of the EU I can't see negotiating with Spain for the recognition of UK driving licences being high on the list of priorities.

Frankly I remain both puzzled and surprised why Spain has not sorted this out long before now.

In other respects Spain have been generous and accommodating to Brits so why they have let this completely pointless and unnecessary hurdle stand is hard to rationalise.
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Old Jan 15th 2021, 10:59 am
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Originally Posted by Notdunroamin
Given the rocky if not chaotic start to UK's journey to "prospering mightily" outside of the EU I can't see negotiating with Spain for the recognition of UK driving licences being high on the list of priorities.

Frankly I remain both puzzled and surprised why Spain has not sorted this out long before now.

In other respects Spain have been generous and accommodating to Brits so why they have let this completely pointless and unnecessary hurdle stand is hard to rationalise.
Well looking at this.

https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-...european-union

The UK already allows EU licence holders to retain their licence even if living in the UK.
You get till your 70th or 3 years whichever is the longest and then your licence is invalid. Spose you would then at 70 take a UK test.

Seems like Brexit has had one benefit. But not to UK citizens living abroad.
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Old Jan 15th 2021, 8:52 pm
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Originally Posted by Barriej
Well looking at this.

https://www.gov.uk/exchange-foreign-...european-union

The UK already allows EU licence holders to retain their licence even if living in the UK.
You get till your 70th or 3 years whichever is the longest and then your licence is invalid. Spose you would then at 70 take a UK test.

Seems like Brexit has had one benefit. But not to UK citizens living abroad.
I was hoping things might have changed, however the link you've quoted is displaying the follow message...." The Brexit transition period has ended and new rules on exchanging a foreign driving licence for a British licence now apply. This page is currently out of date. "

I'm sure that now a deal has been ageed, driving licence recognition will be reciprocated with no need for IDPs.
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Old Jan 15th 2021, 9:32 pm
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Originally Posted by Peterval257
Hello,my residency application is in Pipeline,not heard a anything yet,the 30Dec has passed,are we doomed to take the Spanish test ?, heard rumours about extending the deadline,but nothing concrete, anybody heard anything that might give us hope . TIA
Unfortunately because you didn't start the licence exchange before 31st Dec (they were actually shut on the 24th) then Yes you are doomed to take the test

UNLESS there is an agreement before the end of June 2021 when being resident you will be unable to drive with a UK driving Licence.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

I was panicking the same but (and I know this wont help) we put our residency application in online through a solicitor and got a favourable reply about 2-3 weeks later. On this email there was a reference to enable the licence exchange which I did through an agent.
I also handed over my Uk licence at the same time.

I think the licence exchange scheme is one of the many things left to be thrashed out between the UK and each of the EU countries (as each one can make their own rules on this). Sometimes makes you wonder why there an EU at all, when all the countries can do so much on their own. But thats another thread...
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Old Jan 16th 2021, 5:30 am
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Originally Posted by Barriej


I think the licence exchange scheme is one of the many things left to be thrashed out between the UK and each of the EU countries (as each one can make their own rules on this). Sometimes makes you wonder why there an EU at all, when all the countries can do so much on their own. But thats another thread...
Hola

As at the 19th January 2013, ALL European driving licences became the same with the same rules for renewal EXCEPT for the UK which decided that renewal for people over 70 should be every 3 years rather than every 4 years.

When you consider how reluctant people were to exchange their driving licences in the past, you can understand that this was a massive step forward. Maybe their will be another step forward to make a genuine European driving licence with no country on it!!!

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Old Jan 18th 2021, 12:22 pm
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Hola. Davexf, you mentioned a Spanish solicitor, have you any more info on this, from yourself or other people that have maybe used that method? Thanks Terry Cox
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Old Jan 18th 2021, 1:09 pm
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Originally Posted by Terrycox
Hola. Davexf, you mentioned a Spanish solicitor, have you any more info on this, from yourself or other people that have maybe used that method? Thanks Terry Cox
Hola,

Yes my local solicitor in Conil, in Cádiz province, works wonders but where in Spain are you?

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Old Jan 18th 2021, 1:13 pm
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Default Re: Driving licence exchange , too late ?

Hello Davexf, we are in La Marina Costa Blanca
Are you saying it can be done through a solicitor?
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