Driving licences, an update.
Nov 9th 2007, 3:32 pm
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Location: Galicia
Posts: 3,140
Driving licences, an update.
Having done the correct thing and registered our licences that were issued in our original countries of origin with the Spanish authorities (host nation) we though that would be the end of the matter until the date of reissue of our licences was due. However that was not the case.
Recently one of us received an “Aviso” from the local Traffico office stating they wanted some money to keep some of the classes of vehicle up to date. We believed this was illegal under EU rules.
We wanted to find the relevant page, preferably in Spanish, to show the local traffico that they were wrong. Again this is not the case. It now seems that they can in fact charge “taxes” whenever the host country wishes too.
First of all the following EU web site was found.
Here it states and we quote:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/home/d...les/002_en.htm
It states, again quoting:
Maybe the first link should be added to the free beer section?
Recently one of us received an “Aviso” from the local Traffico office stating they wanted some money to keep some of the classes of vehicle up to date. We believed this was illegal under EU rules.
We wanted to find the relevant page, preferably in Spanish, to show the local traffico that they were wrong. Again this is not the case. It now seems that they can in fact charge “taxes” whenever the host country wishes too.
First of all the following EU web site was found.
Here it states and we quote:
Article 1(2) of Directive 91/439/EEC stipulates that all driving licences have to be mutually recognised within the European Union. Where the holder of a valid driving licence acquires "normal residence" in a Member State other than that which issued the licence, the host country has to recognise the licence.
However on the following page from the same site;http://ec.europa.eu/transport/home/d...les/002_en.htm
It states, again quoting:
« Where the holder of a valid national driving licence takes up normal residence in a Member State other than that which issued the licence, the host Member State may apply to the holder of the licence its national rules on the period of validity of the licence, medical checks and tax arrangements and may enter on the licence any information indispensable for administration. »
So it turns out that you cannot avoid these extras, so called taxes. This second statement seems to contradict the straightforward principle of mutual recognition. Bugger!Maybe the first link should be added to the free beer section?
Nov 9th 2007, 4:12 pm
#2
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: Driving licences, an update.
Having done the correct thing and registered our licences that were issued in our original countries of origin with the Spanish authorities (host nation) we though that would be the end of the matter until the date of reissue of our licences was due. However that was not the case.
Recently one of us received an “Aviso” from the local Traffico office stating they wanted some money to keep some of the classes of vehicle up to date. We believed this was illegal under EU rules.
We wanted to find the relevant page, preferably in Spanish, to show the local traffico that they were wrong. Again this is not the case. It now seems that they can in fact charge “taxes” whenever the host country wishes too.
First of all the following EU web site was found.
Here it states and we quote:
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/home/d...les/002_en.htm
It states, again quoting:
Maybe the first link should be added to the free beer section?
Recently one of us received an “Aviso” from the local Traffico office stating they wanted some money to keep some of the classes of vehicle up to date. We believed this was illegal under EU rules.
We wanted to find the relevant page, preferably in Spanish, to show the local traffico that they were wrong. Again this is not the case. It now seems that they can in fact charge “taxes” whenever the host country wishes too.
First of all the following EU web site was found.
Here it states and we quote:
Article 1(2) of Directive 91/439/EEC stipulates that all driving licences have to be mutually recognised within the European Union. Where the holder of a valid driving licence acquires "normal residence" in a Member State other than that which issued the licence, the host country has to recognise the licence.
However on the following page from the same site;http://ec.europa.eu/transport/home/d...les/002_en.htm
It states, again quoting:
« Where the holder of a valid national driving licence takes up normal residence in a Member State other than that which issued the licence, the host Member State may apply to the holder of the licence its national rules on the period of validity of the licence, medical checks and tax arrangements and may enter on the licence any information indispensable for administration. »
So it turns out that you cannot avoid these extras, so called taxes. This second statement seems to contradict the straightforward principle of mutual recognition. Bugger!Maybe the first link should be added to the free beer section?
You should however check with the appropriate driving licensing authorities where you are now resident for information on any conditions that the host member state may stipulate.
I will put your link in also.
Nov 9th 2007, 4:52 pm
#3
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,898
Re: Driving licences, an update.
Recently one of us received an “Aviso” from the local Traffico office stating they wanted some money to keep some of the classes of vehicle up to date. We believed this was illegal under EU rules.
We wanted to find the relevant page, preferably in Spanish, to show the local traffico that they were wrong. Again this is not the case. It now seems that they can in fact charge “taxes” whenever the host country wishes too.
First of all the following EU web site was found. ?
We wanted to find the relevant page, preferably in Spanish, to show the local traffico that they were wrong. Again this is not the case. It now seems that they can in fact charge “taxes” whenever the host country wishes too.
First of all the following EU web site was found. ?
By choosing to keep your UK licence and register it you still have to meet the same conditions as a Spanish licence holder, particularly with regard to periodic medical checks (which cost about 37 euros).
What you are paying is not so much a tax as a renewal fee.
Nov 11th 2007, 10:45 am
#4
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Location: Galicia
Posts: 3,140
Re: Driving licences, an update.
Fred what you have stated is not true, in our case.
Having moved here in 2004 and had the traffico stamp added within a month they have now said that they want money for one class..’C’.
Within the next year another class will have to be paid for. They want money before the licence is due.
The point of the posting to say that the EU law states your host country should respect the conditions under which your DL has been issued, but on the other hand your host country can still change you fee/taxes (call it what you want) for you to meet local obligations.
That last point has never been made clear on all of the informative web sites we have seen. We just thought it should be made clear on this forum as there are so many questions as to what a person should after moving here.
The link to the EU’s web sites home page on our original posting went missing…sorry folks.
We both do not have U.K. driving licenses, but they are issued within the EU
Having moved here in 2004 and had the traffico stamp added within a month they have now said that they want money for one class..’C’.
Within the next year another class will have to be paid for. They want money before the licence is due.
The point of the posting to say that the EU law states your host country should respect the conditions under which your DL has been issued, but on the other hand your host country can still change you fee/taxes (call it what you want) for you to meet local obligations.
That last point has never been made clear on all of the informative web sites we have seen. We just thought it should be made clear on this forum as there are so many questions as to what a person should after moving here.
The link to the EU’s web sites home page on our original posting went missing…sorry folks.
We both do not have U.K. driving licenses, but they are issued within the EU
Nov 11th 2007, 5:32 pm
#5
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,898
Re: Driving licences, an update.
Fred what you have stated is not true, in our case.
Having moved here in 2004 and had the traffico stamp added within a month they have now said that they want money for one class..’C’.
Within the next year another class will have to be paid for. They want money before the licence is due.
The point of the posting to say that the EU law states your host country should respect the conditions under which your DL has been issued, but on the other hand your host country can still change you fee/taxes (call it what you want) for you to meet local obligations.
That last point has never been made clear on all of the informative web sites we have seen. We just thought it should be made clear on this forum as there are so many questions as to what a person should after moving here.
The link to the EU’s web sites home page on our original posting went missing…sorry folks.
We both do not have U.K. driving licenses, but they are issued within the EU
Having moved here in 2004 and had the traffico stamp added within a month they have now said that they want money for one class..’C’.
Within the next year another class will have to be paid for. They want money before the licence is due.
The point of the posting to say that the EU law states your host country should respect the conditions under which your DL has been issued, but on the other hand your host country can still change you fee/taxes (call it what you want) for you to meet local obligations.
That last point has never been made clear on all of the informative web sites we have seen. We just thought it should be made clear on this forum as there are so many questions as to what a person should after moving here.
The link to the EU’s web sites home page on our original posting went missing…sorry folks.
We both do not have U.K. driving licenses, but they are issued within the EU
As I have said before, to avoid all these complications it is preferable to just exchange your licence for a Spanish one.
Nov 11th 2007, 6:24 pm
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2007
Location: Southern Spain
Posts: 773
Re: Driving licences, an update.
I exchanged my British licence for a Spanish one when I got my residence permit 'Oh... just over 20 odd years ago', I have never paid anything else apart from the very reasonable renewal fee for my Spanish licence when it needed to be renewed.
Nov 12th 2007, 2:34 pm
#7
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Location: Galicia
Posts: 3,140
Re: Driving licences, an update.
Thanks or the info Fred,
As usual with EU laws nothing is clear, like this page…
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/home/d...les/006_en.htm
It seems that your host country can refuse to allow a person to drive a moped or a tractor if they want to. They can also insist on ‘call for exchange’ of your DL if they want to. This is done under special circumstances but what they are it does not say.
We still cannot find a reference to the 2004 law you quote. Anyhow we are going to the traffico in Lugo any day soon so hopefully it will all be sorted, with the payment of a free/tax.
As usual with EU laws nothing is clear, like this page…
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/home/d...les/006_en.htm
It seems that your host country can refuse to allow a person to drive a moped or a tractor if they want to. They can also insist on ‘call for exchange’ of your DL if they want to. This is done under special circumstances but what they are it does not say.
We still cannot find a reference to the 2004 law you quote. Anyhow we are going to the traffico in Lugo any day soon so hopefully it will all be sorted, with the payment of a free/tax.
Nov 12th 2007, 2:54 pm
#8
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,898
Re: Driving licences, an update.
I didn't quote a 2004 law - I said that the law had changed since 2004.
The original law was dated 30th May 1997 and was modified to include the new rules about exchanging/registering licence on 27th January 2006.
You can read the relevant changes here
http://noticias.juridicas.com/base_d...rd62-2006.html
Nov 12th 2007, 9:38 pm
#9
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2006
Location: Galicia
Posts: 3,140
Re: Driving licences, an update.
So it appears the Spanish were braking EU laws, (when don’t they).
An EU law set up in 1991 is not implemented until 2006! We are not surprised.
Thanks for the information.
An EU law set up in 1991 is not implemented until 2006! We are not surprised.
Thanks for the information.
Nov 13th 2007, 10:07 am
#10
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 987
Re: Driving licences, an update.
So they may not be breaking any EU law just using their opt-out concession.
That's why fundamentally the EU is a joke as we can all pick and chose what we do and do not like out of the laws/constitution.
At least that's how I see it
