Non Spanish Driving Licence
 

A friend got stopped by the Guardia this week. He has an Irish driving licence. They told him they believed he was a resident and it was illegal and he had to pay a 500 euro fine. He refused and they have told him to report to Jerez police station.

Re: Non Spanish Driving Licence
 

If you want it, I have the letter from Spanish authorities somewhere that confirms that an EU licence is acceotable in Spain. There are still some police I believe that dont understand that!

Re: Non Spanish Driving Licence
 

I think this is the letter you are referring to

http://www.spainvia.com/drivelicenceletteradsl.htm

Re: Non Spanish Driving Licence
 

Yes if you have I could then print it off and let him have it.

Re: Non Spanish Driving Licence
 

I don't believe it is a case of the police not understanding but of not caring. I have lost count of the number of my friends who have been stopped by the police whilst driving with a uk licence. Those who paid the fine and then tried to get the fine rescinded and the fine returned have been unsuccessful. It is completely legal to drive in Spain with a UK licence,we are,after all,a member of the same European Union that Spain is.
I have heard the arguements for and against re changing licence to a Spanish one,but I believe that is down to the individual. Some time ago the road out of Albox was bracketed both ways by the police and every english driver with an english licence was fined. A good haul that day.

Re: Non Spanish Driving Licence
 

I think thats the one

Re: Non Spanish Driving Licence
 

No one appears to have mentioned one very important issue in this thread:

UK driving licences issued from 1990 and the photocard licence issued from 1997 are accepted in Spain.

Licences issued before 1990 are only accepted if accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (available from the Spanish Embassy in London and the Real Automóvil Club de España if the licence holder is already in Spain). UK Provisional Licences are not valid for use in Spain

see here
http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-...-in-spain/cars

Re: Non Spanish Driving Licence
 

... plus they must not have expired!

I happened to notice that people are mentioning that the plastic licence lasts only 10 years - mine only lasted 5! (2005 - 2010!)!