johncar61

In yesterday's Euro Weekly News, in the article by 'Juan the Local Policeman' there was a question about whether a medical cert was required to be carried with your D/L

The writer said there was no law which required this, I will be writing to EWN as I believe that is wrong. With a Spanish licence of course one does not need to carry a Medical Cert as of course one was produced when the licence was applied for.

I believe 'Juan' either did not understand the question or is not aware that when a person who is a resident, is driving on foreign DL they do need a med. Cert. This is confirmed by Brian Deller, author of Motoring in Spain.

OK Guys I am now waiting to be shot down !!!!!!

Mitzyboy

Why would you be shot down? If you used search you would see that this has been discussed on numerous occasions and that most of us are fully aware that med certificates are required to validate your licence

johncar61

I speak from experience !!!

Veleta

I was issued a Spanish licence without producing a medical certificate. It's the first time I have heard this. Is everyone blanketly supposed to have medical certs or are there some exceptions? Or why was I issued a Spanish licence without a medical cert?

johncar61

I think when I exchanged my licence I did not need a Med Cert. When I subsequently renewed the Spanish Licence I did.

snikpoh

I think you've all missed the point of the original post - it asked whether the medical was needed to be CARRIED at all times!

We all know that we have to follow the Spanish law of having a medical and renewing this on a regular basis. When exchanging the UK D/L for a Spanish one, you may not be required to show a medical, but you still need to follow the law and have one.


John, it's not just needed when you obtain or renew a D/L, it's needed to be renewed as per the law and this depends upon age.

johncar61

Sorry Snikpoh: I think you missed the point. I opened this thread, the original point was the one I made.


I said " ..... when a person who is a resident, is driving on a foreign DL they do need (to carry) a med. Cert.

Fred James

That's quite correct.

The logic behind it is that your current foreign licence meets any medical requirements in the country that issued it so no further medicals are required until it is due for renewal.

It creates the bizarre situation where if you had a serious eyesight problem that would prevent driving, you can get away with it if for some more time if you exchange it and not if you want to keep it!

mikelincs

If you exchange your license, they will assume that you are currently medically certificated, and issue you with the license, if you just get your UK license validated, then you will have to have a medical check. Another of the Bureaucratic idiosyncrasies. Makes sense to get you license exchanged.. (Good coming from someone who lived in Spain for 4 years and never did anything about his)..

petew

I am aged 63. I am thinking of exchanging my uk licence for a spanish one. Last year I took a medical and got the certificate. Recently, I spoke to a gestor and he said that because I took the medical about 7 months ago, I would have to take another one to exchange my licence. Do you think he's wrong? - I hope he is!

johncar61

I am not sure if when you change your DL to a Spanish one if you need to produce a medical cert. I was a bit younger than you when I did it and did not need a cert.

However, if you do then I am just about certain that the cert you get is marked as being valid for only 3 months.

If you are driving on a a foreign licence, you still must have a medical cert, which you would carry with your DL for the validity of that D/L.

Note: the foreign DL is only valid for the number of years, from when you take out Residencia, as a Spanish one would be, so not until you are 70.

petew

The certificate is valid for 90 days for its' usual purpose i.e applying for or renewing a spanish licence. However, what has been said on this forum and elsewhere is that a medical certificate is not required to exchange a u.k licence, because it is assumed that possession of a valid u.k. licence means you meet the medical requirements atnthat moment in time.

I am sure i can pass the medical again but I don't want to if I don't need to!

johncar61

A friend of mine's mother, aged 90, passed her medical the other day, so I don't think most people will have any problem.

Last time I did mine I was not too sure about the eyesight test, but I passed. Although the guy who carried out the test later whispered in my ear that I should get my eyes checked !!!!!

mikelincs

Don't forget, that if you do wear glasses, then you must carry a spare pair in the car at all times.

johncar61

Am I correct in believing if one needs specs to drive that is noted on the DL ?