missile

I see many UK registered cars in Spain. I expect these will be stopped more frequently.

Brits visiting or living in Spain who do not have residencia should be aware their vehicle may be impounded if the driver cannot provide valid documentation. [size=13px]You should ask your insurer for a green card and apply for an IDP which allows you to ride & drive in countries where a UK licence alone is not sufficient. An IDP can be obtained over the counter from the Post Office for £5,50[/size]

Fredbargate

According to https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/in...driving-permit you do not need an IDP for Spain or Portugal for periods of less than 6 months

They are different versions for the two countries.

Spain requires a 1949 IDP

Portugal requires a 1968 IDP

However at the moment I am not sure which countries are insisting on these

N.B.
France None
If you hold a paper driving licence or a driving licence from Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or the Isle of Man, you may need a 1968 IDP. Check with the French Embassy.

I have both IDP's to be safe and they cost me nothing

missile

I no longer have any trust or rely on information provided by the UK government and I do not believe the link you posted has been revised post Brexit(?)

In any event I doubt any proclamations made by www.gov.uk would persuade the officer who stops you. Given the apparent ambiguity, misunderstanding and arbitrary enforcement of the law, I would suggest anyone driving in Spain should obtain an IDP

bolton wanderer

Good advice re Spanish residents but IDP not required for UK residents. https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/in...driving-permit
" Spain (including Balearic and Canary Isles) None You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. "

Notdunroamin

That's slightly disingenuous because you can't be here for 6 months unless you are resident and in that case you should have a Spanish licence.

IDP's are available from participating post offices in UK BUT can only be issued on sight of the valid UK licence they will be issued to accompany so for those not in UK that makes it all but impossible to obtain one.

bolton wanderer

Quote:
Originally Posted by bolton wanderer View Post
You do not need an IDP to drive here for periods up to 6 months. "

That's slightly disingenuous because you can't be here for 6 months unless you are resident and in that case you should have a Spanish licence.

IDP's are available from participating post offices in UK BUT can only be issued on sight of the valid UK licence they will be issued to accompany so for those not in UK that makes it all but impossible to obtain one.


If you are going to quote my post please read it first and quote in context. I stated that UK residents don't need an IDP in Spain for up to 6 months. UK residents should not have a Spanish licence.
Yes, if a non resident stays in Spain for longer than 90 days they are required to become resident. A UK resident can only visit Spain for up to a total of 180 days in any calendar year in order to retain UK residency.

missile

I would not rely on information provided by the UK government. A UK resident cannot remain in Spain for longer than 90 days.

Fredbargate

I agree missile that is why belts and braces I applied for both IDP's a year ago.
The 1949 IDP only lasts 12 months and I am awaiting it's replacement suposedly sent to me by registered post on Christmas Eve, whilst the 1968 IDP lasts 24 months.

DLC

Here's the answer from the horse's mouth:

https://www.lamoncloa.gob.es/lang/en...glicences.aspx

Now all you need to do is convince your friendly neighbourhood guardia civil of that.

missile

Good luck with that and he has a gun <LOL>

missile

Good plan. Where did you apply?

Barriej

Technically you have always needed either the green card or an IDP.

Its just that previously nobody ever asked for it.

I've driven my own car and my company car all over Europe and even once all the way to Russia (don't ask)
Never had an IDP but have been stopped multiple times and only ever shown my passport and UK driving licence.

Also when renting over the last 25years I've never ever been asked for one either. And that includes the US, Canada and Australia and I've been to all these places in the lady 12months. (although in the 80s Barbados made you pay for a local licence)

I'm thinking now the UK is a 3rd country you may get asked for one

missile

I have hired both car and motorcycle in USA & Canada never been asked for IDP. However, I would not chance it now.

Fredbargate

https://dvld.egov.gi/idp/

However I doubt that you can access it and even so it would be of little use to you

missile

I don't need to access it. I was interested to learn that the Post Office is not the only source for obtaining IDP.