English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
Feb 2nd 2008, 7:47 am
#31
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Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
You are correct the law is confusing one of the reasons is the EU, every member state has to fully comply with EU law, the UK for example jump to attention and comply immediately as well as licking the A** of the EU at the same time, a lot of other countries are more laid back
Spain only decided to comply with the law regarding EU licences to avoid the fines they were threatened with, so they issued a directive, if memory serves me right this has yet to make it onto the statute books, so they are having to comply, they are just unsure of how to go about it
Until this matter is cleared up I will follow the law to the best of my ability
I have residencia therfore I can drive on my English EU licence but I need to have my medical checks
There is a suggestion that once you get your licence stamped endorsed whatever at the trafico then if you loose your licence the Spanish authorities will issue you with a replacement Spanish Licence
I cannot see DVLA issuing a replacement to a Spanish address, but I know of no one who has actually tested this as I say it is only a suggestion
Spain only decided to comply with the law regarding EU licences to avoid the fines they were threatened with, so they issued a directive, if memory serves me right this has yet to make it onto the statute books, so they are having to comply, they are just unsure of how to go about it
Until this matter is cleared up I will follow the law to the best of my ability
I have residencia therfore I can drive on my English EU licence but I need to have my medical checks
There is a suggestion that once you get your licence stamped endorsed whatever at the trafico then if you loose your licence the Spanish authorities will issue you with a replacement Spanish Licence
I cannot see DVLA issuing a replacement to a Spanish address, but I know of no one who has actually tested this as I say it is only a suggestion
Feb 2nd 2008, 7:48 am
#32
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,920
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
We understand that under the latest proposals the EU are looking to outlaw medicals until you are about 70, just like the UK and some other European countries at present. We found this whilst searching for a definitive answer on this question. some day all will be clear (we can dream).
Even then, in their proposals for the new EU licence they contradict that and say that medicals for car drivers can only take place at renewal.
If you want to be even more confused you can read their proposals here
http://www.network.mag-uk.org/dld/20...licence_en.pdf
Bearing in mind that under their proposals existing licence holders will have up to 26 years to change to the new system (which is unlikely to be implemented for at least 2 years) I think we will all be dreaming for a long time!!
Feb 2nd 2008, 8:00 am
#33
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,920
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
The details of the affected parts of the law are here
http://noticias.juridicas.com/base_d...rd62-2006.html
The medical rules have nothing to do with the EU directive. They have been in place in Spain for some time. The EU directive merely says that holders of foreign licences have to comply with local, existing rules which is where the problem occurs.
The relevant change in the law is in Article 24a which points out that licences issues in other states can become invalid if the medical rules are not followed - this is where the confusion arrises and also where the "4 year" rule appears.
Unfortunately it does not explicitly state how you are supposed to comply with regard to having a medical certificate.
Feb 16th 2008, 4:00 pm
#34
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Posts: 14
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
Is it just going to be easier for me to go to the jefatura and change my UK licence for a spanish one ?
even though they told me i didnt need to do anything at all...?
whats the point of an " E.U " if i should change my EUROPEAN licence to a Spanish one ...?
confusing stuff , im all for the easiest life , it sounds like changing it will be the easiest..
even though they told me i didnt need to do anything at all...?
whats the point of an " E.U " if i should change my EUROPEAN licence to a Spanish one ...?
confusing stuff , im all for the easiest life , it sounds like changing it will be the easiest..
Feb 16th 2008, 4:37 pm
#35
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 543
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
Does anyone know when the new EU wide license is going to come into play?
I have heard that its to be renewed every five years,however countries like the UK & Germany that issue lifetime licenses will still be able to issue this new license for life,does anyione have more in depth info?
Also re the Spanish medical,I am visually impaired owing to an accident, in my left eye (no lens in it),and as a consequence have to wear a contact lens in my right eye. I have been declared medically fit to drive in the UK,and have a full license.
The question is;from what youve seen of the Spanish medical,would my loicense be at risk in Spain?
I have heard that its to be renewed every five years,however countries like the UK & Germany that issue lifetime licenses will still be able to issue this new license for life,does anyione have more in depth info?
Also re the Spanish medical,I am visually impaired owing to an accident, in my left eye (no lens in it),and as a consequence have to wear a contact lens in my right eye. I have been declared medically fit to drive in the UK,and have a full license.
The question is;from what youve seen of the Spanish medical,would my loicense be at risk in Spain?
Feb 16th 2008, 9:56 pm
#36
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,920
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
Does anyone know when the new EU wide license is going to come into play?
I have heard that its to be renewed every five years,however countries like the UK & Germany that issue lifetime licenses will still be able to issue this new license for life,does anyione have more in depth info?
Also re the Spanish medical,I am visually impaired owing to an accident, in my left eye (no lens in it),and as a consequence have to wear a contact lens in my right eye. I have been declared medically fit to drive in the UK,and have a full license.
The question is;from what youve seen of the Spanish medical,would my loicense be at risk in Spain?
I have heard that its to be renewed every five years,however countries like the UK & Germany that issue lifetime licenses will still be able to issue this new license for life,does anyione have more in depth info?
Also re the Spanish medical,I am visually impaired owing to an accident, in my left eye (no lens in it),and as a consequence have to wear a contact lens in my right eye. I have been declared medically fit to drive in the UK,and have a full license.
The question is;from what youve seen of the Spanish medical,would my loicense be at risk in Spain?
The details of it are at:-
http://www.network.mag-uk.org/dld/20...licence_en.pdf
As for the eye problem, I have exactly the same problem. When I renewed my Spanish licence it is now endorsed with a maximum speed limit of 100kph and the licence must be renewed every 3 years.
Feb 16th 2008, 9:59 pm
#37
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,920
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
Is it just going to be easier for me to go to the jefatura and change my UK licence for a spanish one ?
even though they told me i didnt need to do anything at all...?
whats the point of an " E.U " if i should change my EUROPEAN licence to a Spanish one ...?
confusing stuff , im all for the easiest life , it sounds like changing it will be the easiest..
even though they told me i didnt need to do anything at all...?
whats the point of an " E.U " if i should change my EUROPEAN licence to a Spanish one ...?
confusing stuff , im all for the easiest life , it sounds like changing it will be the easiest..
The current rules about medicals, even if you use a UK licence (which you are entitled to do) are so ambiguous that you could so easily be deemed to have an invalid licence that it is not worth the risk.
Incidentally you do not have an EU licence - you have a UK licence which conforms to the EU pattern.
As I said in my othe post, it will be some time before a true EU licence comes into being.
Feb 16th 2008, 10:20 pm
#38
Just Joined
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
ok i think i will change it !! erm....whats the process again ? 
Feb 16th 2008, 10:25 pm
#39
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
i know im a pain , but i thought of something else......my licence is from 1991 , which is good when quoting insurance prices........will there be a difference if i change to a spanish one ?..
Feb 16th 2008, 10:29 pm
#40
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Location: On the edge
Posts: 20,460
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
I cant remember if you're already here or not, but if you're not yet then get a letter from your present UK insurance company stating your percentage NCB and your number of years. Most Spanish ins companies will then take this into consideration when doing your quote.
Feb 17th 2008, 6:24 am
#41
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,920
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
They only ever ask you how long you have had a licence - just because you have exchanged your licence doesn't alter that.
Feb 17th 2008, 10:52 am
#42
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 543
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
It is unlikely that the new EU licence will actually come into use before 2012.
The details of it are at:-
http://www.network.mag-uk.org/dld/20...licence_en.pdf
As for the eye problem, I have exactly the same problem. When I renewed my Spanish licence it is now endorsed with a maximum speed limit of 100kph and the licence must be renewed every 3 years.
The details of it are at:-
http://www.network.mag-uk.org/dld/20...licence_en.pdf
As for the eye problem, I have exactly the same problem. When I renewed my Spanish licence it is now endorsed with a maximum speed limit of 100kph and the licence must be renewed every 3 years.
Just one question,though,is the renewal an adminstrative one,or is it,as i guess,one that involves a medical,along with a chance of losing your licence if the medical is failed?
Feb 17th 2008, 12:17 pm
#43
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,920
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
All renewals involve a medical and, yes, if you fail you cannot drive - that's why they have a medical!
In reality if you do fail you are really unfit to drive. Minor problems will more likely involve restrictions or more frequent renewals.
In reality if you do fail you are really unfit to drive. Minor problems will more likely involve restrictions or more frequent renewals.
Feb 17th 2008, 6:26 pm
#44
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Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 14
Re: English Driving Licence,Spanish Medical
what happens to my british one if i change to a spaniosh licence ? if i have to give it up , then decide in the next couple years to go back to UK , then im stuck with no licence...? 
Feb 17th 2008, 6:30 pm
#45
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