Driving query
#1
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14
Driving query
Am I allowed to drive a Portuguese registered car in Spain on a UK driving licence ? I often visit Portugal where my partner lives. She has a Portuguese car but no longer drives. I have often wondered if we could tour Spain in this car on my driving licence. Any thoughts on this would be most welcome.
#2
Re: Driving query
I don't see why not. I assume the car is insured for you to drive? but you could ask AA / RAC.
#3
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Beckenham, London borough Bromley
Posts: 1,617
Re: Driving query
Hola
Make sure you have written permission to drive the car - If the man in the green uniform with the gun at his hip had a bad breakfast ………
Davexf
Make sure you have written permission to drive the car - If the man in the green uniform with the gun at his hip had a bad breakfast ………
Davexf
#4
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14
Re: Driving query
Many thanks. The reason I query it is that as a UK citizen and resident with a UK driving licence, I cannot, under EU law drive a car with foreign plates on British roads, unless it is a rental hire car. So, by extension, I assumed, rightly or wrongly, that I could not drive a such a car in Spain either.
#5
Re: Driving query
No, you cannot drive a foreign car in the UK if you are resident in the UK. The same applies in Spain, but you are not a resident.
Dxf is correct. You really need proof that you have permission to drive it. More info on this site and a form you can download.
https://n332.es/2018/01/27/permissio...-your-vehicle/
Dxf is correct. You really need proof that you have permission to drive it. More info on this site and a form you can download.
https://n332.es/2018/01/27/permissio...-your-vehicle/
#6
Re: Driving query
No, you cannot drive a foreign car in the UK if you are resident in the UK. The same applies in Spain, but you are not a resident.
Dxf is correct. You really need proof that you have permission to drive it. More info on this site and a form you can download.
https://n332.es/2018/01/27/permissio...-your-vehicle/
Dxf is correct. You really need proof that you have permission to drive it. More info on this site and a form you can download.
https://n332.es/2018/01/27/permissio...-your-vehicle/
I maintain they can't but can't find any source for this fact.
Can you help?
#7
Re: Driving query
This seems to be the rule from CAB Spain, who are usually correct.
Once you have registered as resident on the Registro de Extranjeros, you cannot drive a foreign plated vehicle anymore, unless it is owned by a non-resident and the owner is with you in the car.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/fa...-car-in-spain/
Once you have registered as resident on the Registro de Extranjeros, you cannot drive a foreign plated vehicle anymore, unless it is owned by a non-resident and the owner is with you in the car.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/fa...-car-in-spain/
#8
Just Joined
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 14
Re: Driving query
So, either I take the car owner with me, or one of those forms duly completed and signed by her. Got it. Many thanks for your help Fred.
#9
Re: Driving query
No, on the basis of the CAB post, you must have the owner with you. You "might" get away with it if you only have the form.
Your choice.
Your choice.
#10
Re: Driving query
This seems to be the rule from CAB Spain, who are usually correct.
Once you have registered as resident on the Registro de Extranjeros, you cannot drive a foreign plated vehicle anymore, unless it is owned by a non-resident and the owner is with you in the car.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/fa...-car-in-spain/
Once you have registered as resident on the Registro de Extranjeros, you cannot drive a foreign plated vehicle anymore, unless it is owned by a non-resident and the owner is with you in the car.
https://www.citizensadvice.org.es/fa...-car-in-spain/
This is why I've come unstuck and can't provide evidence to back up my assertion.
#11
Re: Driving query
Neither can I. I would go with the CAB advice or just not bother. Whatever rules you find to support the CAB view, you can be sure the Guardia will invent the rule at the same time as they fine you and impound the car!
#12
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Joined: Jun 2017
Location: Alicante
Posts: 938
Re: Driving query
It's contained in Article 3 of the EU directive https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-cont...130701&from=EN
Until or unless registered in Spain any and all UK regged private cars are, by definition, 'temporary imports'.
Don't forget that post Brexit and absent any agreement to the contrary visiting UK licence holders wishing to drive in Spain will need an IDP (1949 convention), if they drive all the way through France then they will need another one for there (1968 convention). If they want to make a grand tour out of it though I'd advise avoiding Liechtenstein because for there they'll need yet a 3rd one (1926 convention) !
Until or unless registered in Spain any and all UK regged private cars are, by definition, 'temporary imports'.
Don't forget that post Brexit and absent any agreement to the contrary visiting UK licence holders wishing to drive in Spain will need an IDP (1949 convention), if they drive all the way through France then they will need another one for there (1968 convention). If they want to make a grand tour out of it though I'd advise avoiding Liechtenstein because for there they'll need yet a 3rd one (1926 convention) !
#13
Re: Driving query
Yes, they are temporary imports, but the EU directive is about payment of taxes, which in Spain is just the local road tax IVTM. That is not an issue that the Guardia worry about. Nothing in that directive really helps to answer the specific question.
As I said earlier, I would probably not do it. If you get picked up it could be very messy!
As I said earlier, I would probably not do it. If you get picked up it could be very messy!
#14
Re: Driving query
It's contained in Article 3 of the EU directive https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-cont...130701&from=EN
Until or unless registered in Spain any and all UK regged private cars are, by definition, 'temporary imports'.
Don't forget that post Brexit and absent any agreement to the contrary visiting UK licence holders wishing to drive in Spain will need an IDP (1949 convention), if they drive all the way through France then they will need another one for there (1968 convention). If they want to make a grand tour out of it though I'd advise avoiding Liechtenstein because for there they'll need yet a 3rd one (1926 convention) !
Until or unless registered in Spain any and all UK regged private cars are, by definition, 'temporary imports'.
Don't forget that post Brexit and absent any agreement to the contrary visiting UK licence holders wishing to drive in Spain will need an IDP (1949 convention), if they drive all the way through France then they will need another one for there (1968 convention). If they want to make a grand tour out of it though I'd advise avoiding Liechtenstein because for there they'll need yet a 3rd one (1926 convention) !
#15
Re: Driving query
I had assumed you were a UK resident. If you are resident in Spain you are not permitted to drive a foreign registered car in Spain. However, many do. You are unlikely to be caught, unless you have an accident :-(