EU Driving license
May 18th 2012 | 12:53 am
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 218
From: Las Alpujarras
Re: EU Driving license
I got fed up with the hassle and got myself a Spanish licence. When I tried to hire a car at Stanstead with my Spanish licence and British passport this January, I couldn't.
I know I should have been able to drive on a UK licence in Spain, but the fancy new EU laws mean nothing to the average Guardia.
Similarly, I should have been able to hire a car with my Spanish licence in the UK, but my fancy Spanish licence meant nothing to the car hire booking clerks.
I know I should have been able to drive on a UK licence in Spain, but the fancy new EU laws mean nothing to the average Guardia.
Similarly, I should have been able to hire a car with my Spanish licence in the UK, but my fancy Spanish licence meant nothing to the car hire booking clerks.
May 18th 2012 | 1:11 am
#17
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 5,753
From: Alicante province
Re: EU Driving license
Fancy laws, no matter who makes them, are still enforced by ordinary humans, and that's where the problems arise. Of course you can appeal against daft decisions, if you've got the time, money and be arsed in the first place.
I normally prefer the easy option and get my wallet out, if my disarming smile doesn't work with the grumpy men in green uniforms. And I never argue with anyone with a gun.
I normally prefer the easy option and get my wallet out, if my disarming smile doesn't work with the grumpy men in green uniforms. And I never argue with anyone with a gun.
May 18th 2012 | 4:30 am
#18
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,824
From: Disneylandia
Re: EU Driving license
I know this could be described as 'dishonest', but what's the problem with just saying to the police that you have one UK licence and two homes, in the UK & Spain and two cars, one in each country, legally registered, taxed, insured & tested?
If stopped by the police in Spain, explain that you visit your house in Spain for a few months of the year (3-4) and use your Spanish vehicle when over here. When back at your 'home' in the UK you then use your UK vehicle with the same licence.
BTW, If you were wealthy enough to have holiday homes in several EU countries, surely you couldn't be expected to have a licence in each one?
Is this flawed somehow?
If stopped by the police in Spain, explain that you visit your house in Spain for a few months of the year (3-4) and use your Spanish vehicle when over here. When back at your 'home' in the UK you then use your UK vehicle with the same licence.
BTW, If you were wealthy enough to have holiday homes in several EU countries, surely you couldn't be expected to have a licence in each one?
Is this flawed somehow?
Very flawed. The whole point of the EU directives is that your home country EU licence should be valid in all EU countries. I don't care whether or not it makes sense or not to a vigile urbano, a gendarme, or a guardia civil. It is my right.'luego
'o nonno
May 18th 2012 | 4:34 am
#19
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 11,231
From: Granada Costa
Re: EU Driving license
Yes we all know it's our right but try telling that to a Trafico officer who has been having a bad day.
