Re: Driving in spain
 

All the car reg paperwork, valid insurance docs and payment receipt, road tax, test certificate, driving licence, spare pair of glasses if you need glasses to drive, flourescent jacket for everyone in the car, two red triangles, first aid kit, surgeons rubber gloves, baby seats for babies, booster seats for small children, restraints for animals, don`t upset the Guardia as they will find something you don`t have.
A lot of the driving laws are changing to criminal law soon and some are hard, like two years jail for driving without a licence.

Re: Driving in spain
 

I have to say that when you consider the problems someone faces if they are hit by an uninsured driver, then those acts that leave the driver uninsured, like not having a license, or properly maintained vehicle should be severely punished.

I love watching the programmes that show the police taking and crushing uninsured cars.

Serves them right.

Re: Driving in spain
 

can i ask how you carry all these documents around..as surely you do not leave these documents in the car when you go shopping?

carole

Re: Driving in spain
 

This is something that bugs me. I have heard of people carrying copies that have been stamped/verified by the Notary, which has got to be safer than the originals, but can all the relevant vehicle documents be carried as copies?

A friend did get stopped, and wasn't carrying docs, and just had to show them in the Vejer station, just like in the UK.

Re: Driving in spain
 

Yes they're left in the car when you go shopping, sightseeing, at the garage when its serviced and more often than not in the car at night because you get fed up of taking them in and out of the car all the time.

Re: Driving in spain
 

As far as we know the UK is the only European country that does not requite a driver to carry their documents. It is just so normal over here.

Re: Driving in spain
 

What about rental cars? We have yet to be given a car with the breakdown items in it. Last year we started to carry our own warning triangle in our luggage, this year we also take a flouro vest as well.

But why should we? these things are supposed to be provided with the car, but according to the rental office never are, because 'they are stolen' Who the Hell returning to their own country would want to take a breakdown kit as a souvenier?

Re: Driving in spain
 

OK, good sense to put your own vests and triangles in the car, it's what we do too.

There's a few other things you need too.

If you did get stopped and fined, ask for a copy/receipt from the law and present it to the hire company and demand they recompense you.

Re: Driving in spain
 

when i was over in september i asked about the triangle etc and was told that hire companies have an arrangement with the police and they are let off!!!! oh yeah!! i didnt take any chances and they hired me an emergency pack for another 6 euros i think..all in a red waterproof bag that i left in the boot..i brought my own yellow vests..left the hire contract in the glove compartment and kept my fingers crossed..
thought i had it all sorted - then i was told it was illegal to drive in toe post or strapless sandlas..lol there are no winners..

carole

Re: Driving in spain
 

Just a word of warning the jackets are meant to be worn before you get out of the car. So place the jackets where you can access then easily. That is why you often see them draped over backs of seats. The Guardia Civil have been known to fine drivers because they are not accessible. I am not talking about expats either.

Re: Driving in spain
 

You can get insurance for your foreign-plated car easily and legally, at least here in Catalunia, handy until your Spanish plates come thru.

You can also go to the ITV and get it inspected and be issued a certificate that it's safe. (The ITV is the Spanish equivalent of the MOT, although it is modelled on the German TüV and hence very efficient).

Any EU driving license is valid in Spain indefinitely, although in theory you should have the annual medical (or whatever).

Re: Driving in spain
 

WRONG ! The "Residencia" still does exist, it's no longer compulsory for EU citizens is all. If you want one you can still get one........amusingly I have found my expired Residencia to be accepted and to be just as useful as as when it was valid !

Re: Driving in spain
 

Yes there is some confusion

It IS compulsory for EU citizens to have a residencia certificate if you live here, but the residencia cards are no longer issued generally

Re: Driving in spain
 

Sure the insurance companies will take your money and tell you a load of crap.
You cannot legally insure a UK car in Spain it has to be insured, mot`d and taxed in the country of origin to be legal on the roads in Spain.
The only time you can legally drive a UK car is if you are on a touring holiday, or you are in the process of matriculating it to Spanish plates.
If you are in Spà in for more than three months you are deemed a resident and it is illegal for you to drive a foreign vehicle.
The ITV on a foreign vehicle is not worth the paper it is printed on.

Re: Driving in spain
 

are we?


Seriously??

are we actually debating the insurance issue again!?

Re: Driving in spain
 

Is that so? having seen yearly tests for cars in several different European countries we feel that the Spanish(ITV) is one of the least strict.

Re: Driving in spain
 

When something is so complicated by all the 'experts' all giving a different account of what is needed, I expect we will debate this subject many times in the future.

Re: Driving in spain
 

Or "yes" to the less convoluted among us.

Re: Driving in spain
 

What is needed is Tax, MOT and Insurance in country of origin until matriculation to local plates.
Sooooo simple.

Re: Driving in spain
 

Unless you wish to indicate the future as I did.

Re: Driving in spain
 

Well I'm completely clear over what is required and the same advice is given on this forum every time the question is asked

Re: Driving in spain
 

Yeah, but what will continue to happen is that people will come here having been given a lot of differing advice, not all of it correct.

Re: Driving in spain
 

Is there a separate thread on this anywhere?

Re: Driving in spain
 

we still get the odd one on here telling us its quite allright to drive your car in Spain forever on UK plates

Re: Driving in spain
 

Fred kindly posted the latest information on residency rules and I included them in the Free Beer thread under "Residency Rules".

Re: Driving in spain
 

Thanks. Actually found them last night. Guess I should have looked in 'Free Beer' before asking, but thanks for posting anyway!

I had no idea the rules had changed. Looks to have been made far simpler (in theory).

Re: Driving in spain
 

And of course beware the big move to the new penal code in Spain starting this Thursday 1 May. I had enough driving on UK plates so am going to try driving without any plate for a while and see how long it is before they catch up. Will give their speed cameras a challenge. :sneaky:

Re: Driving in spain
 

I will come and visit you in Alhaurin and sit there laughing my bow locks off.

Re: Driving in spain
 

Now thats a new one on me, Alhaurin somewhere in the provincia de sevilla.

Re: Driving in spain
 

It`s a penitentiary, and they don`t mind where you come from. ;-))

Re: Driving in spain
 

Ah well in that case we have a few of them around here.
But they have to catch me first :eek:

Re: Driving in spain
 

They monitor this site. lol

Re: Driving in spain
 

Thats quite OK jdr, they know who you are then.

Thought about making up one of those little yellow moped plates or even a Italian plate to confuse them but would then have to make up some forged papers too. Sounds all too complicated and better to try no plate at all and claim that someone nicked it for curiosity while parked outside the bar.

Re: Driving in spain
 

I have a nasty suspicion that that idea will get you a lot more attention than you might have really wanted.

Re: Driving in spain
 

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me with my little problem.....

we are looking for a company which does the matriculation from British pates to Spanish , however it has to be in the Ayamonte, Isla Canela Provine??? as we are on oiur boat at the Marina. Thanks

Re: Driving in spain
 

Ahoy Bernice, I have just used a gestor based in Sevilla to transfer a UK plated bike to Spanish plate. Ask at the marina if they know of a gestor or gestoria more local. Your first challenge is to get a ficha tecnica for the vehicle, which is done at an ITV station but you first need a ficha reducida which in my case was organised by the gestor through the engineering college. There is an ITV station just off the autovia at Huelva and another at Palma del Condado which is the one I used. Very helpful staff there and no waiting lists as there are in Sevilla at the moment.

Re: Driving in spain
 

That was very helpful, thank you.