Penal code change for Drivers
Dec 22nd 2007, 1:20 pm
#1
Banned
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: What one has not experienced, one will never understand in print
Posts: 569
Penal code change for Drivers
Changes in the Penal code came into effect last week which now means that any driver caught without a validated license now faces imprisonment.
It also states that "Those who drive without valid driving licenses-whether they have lost all their points, never had a license, have a license from another country that has not be validated in Spain or have had their licenses removed by the courts could know face prison sentences as well as fines.
The law allows drivers until the 1st of May 2008 to get it sorted or risk the punishment.
I know we don`t think they`ll put people in prison for having a UK license, but the new penal code gives this guideline to judges.
No Spanish license : Drivers without a valid license will face between three and six months imprisonment or prohibition on driving for between one and two years with 90 days community service.
Following after Mitzys thread on licenses i think it will be important for Expats to ensure their licenses are validated in Spain or better get a Spanish license as the authorities may well target Expats.
It also states that "Those who drive without valid driving licenses-whether they have lost all their points, never had a license, have a license from another country that has not be validated in Spain or have had their licenses removed by the courts could know face prison sentences as well as fines.
The law allows drivers until the 1st of May 2008 to get it sorted or risk the punishment.
I know we don`t think they`ll put people in prison for having a UK license, but the new penal code gives this guideline to judges.
No Spanish license : Drivers without a valid license will face between three and six months imprisonment or prohibition on driving for between one and two years with 90 days community service.
Following after Mitzys thread on licenses i think it will be important for Expats to ensure their licenses are validated in Spain or better get a Spanish license as the authorities may well target Expats.
Dec 22nd 2007, 2:30 pm
#2
MODERATOR
Joined: Mar 2007
Location: Costa Valencia
Posts: 14,800
Re: Penal code change for Drivers
Changes in the Penal code came into effect last week which now means that any driver caught without a validated license now faces imprisonment.
It also states that "Those who drive without valid driving licenses-whether they have lost all their points, never had a license, have a license from another country that has not be validated in Spain or have had their licenses removed by the courts could know face prison sentences as well as fines.
The law allows drivers until the 1st of May 2008 to get it sorted or risk the punishment.
I know we don`t think they`ll put people in prison for having a UK license, but the new penal code gives this guideline to judges.
No Spanish license : Drivers without a valid license will face between three and six months imprisonment or prohibition on driving for between one and two years with 90 days community service.
Following after Mitzys thread on licenses i think it will be important for Expats to ensure their licenses are validated in Spain or better get a Spanish license as the authorities may well target Expats.
It also states that "Those who drive without valid driving licenses-whether they have lost all their points, never had a license, have a license from another country that has not be validated in Spain or have had their licenses removed by the courts could know face prison sentences as well as fines.
The law allows drivers until the 1st of May 2008 to get it sorted or risk the punishment.
I know we don`t think they`ll put people in prison for having a UK license, but the new penal code gives this guideline to judges.
No Spanish license : Drivers without a valid license will face between three and six months imprisonment or prohibition on driving for between one and two years with 90 days community service.
Following after Mitzys thread on licenses i think it will be important for Expats to ensure their licenses are validated in Spain or better get a Spanish license as the authorities may well target Expats.
Rosemary
Dec 22nd 2007, 4:08 pm
#3
Rob in Madrid
Joined: Feb 2006
Location: Madrid
Posts: 267
Re: Penal code change for Drivers
They seem to really target the British, they really don't like them. I got pulled over the other day for talking on my mobile and I still have my German plates and a German DL and they really didn't say anything, other than fork over the cash dude
I haven't bothered registering the car here as I teach English in Madrid and it give me "free" parking
I use my DL as ID all the time for CC purchases but I've talked to friends who have to carry their passports with them at all times as British DL are not accepted as ID
weird
As an aside it's been a year since I started the process to registar and no end in sight. Thankfully you don't need a residence permit to live or work in Spain
I haven't bothered registering the car here as I teach English in Madrid and it give me "free" parking
I use my DL as ID all the time for CC purchases but I've talked to friends who have to carry their passports with them at all times as British DL are not accepted as ID
weird
As an aside it's been a year since I started the process to registar and no end in sight. Thankfully you don't need a residence permit to live or work in Spain
Dec 22nd 2007, 4:14 pm
#4
Mucho Macho
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Huescar
Posts: 1,213
Re: Penal code change for Drivers
Looks like there's gonna be more peeps joining my outlaw gang then!
Dec 22nd 2007, 4:17 pm
#5
Straw Man.
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: That, there, that's not my post count... nothing to see here, move along.
Posts: 46,302
Re: Penal code change for Drivers
What's the gang called Pete?
You know the rep of a gang can be made of broke by what its called.
However scary they may be, the Russian Mafia gang called the Potato Bag Gang just don't fill me with dread.
You know the rep of a gang can be made of broke by what its called.
However scary they may be, the Russian Mafia gang called the Potato Bag Gang just don't fill me with dread.
Dec 22nd 2007, 4:38 pm
#6
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Aug 2007
Location: Los Martinez
Posts: 858
Re: Penal code change for Drivers
I don't see how they can prosecute for haing a non spanish license, EC law which overides local law stipulates that any member of an EC country can use his national license to drive in any other EC country.
Dec 22nd 2007, 4:57 pm
#7
Mucho Macho
Joined: Sep 2005
Location: Huescar
Posts: 1,213
Re: Penal code change for Drivers
Haven't got a name yet Matt......but people need to know we're Guiris who've been pushed too far! And now we're back.....and out for vengeance! 
We've got illegal Sky viewing cards.....and we're not afraid to use them!
We've got illegal Sky viewing cards.....and we're not afraid to use them!
Dec 22nd 2007, 5:15 pm
#8
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2007
Location: Denia (Alicante)
Posts: 244
Re: Penal code change for Drivers
I understood you could use your national licence to drive in any EC country, but if you choose to live in that EC country then you also have to abide by any additional local laws.
Dec 22nd 2007, 5:40 pm
#9
Straw Man.
Joined: Aug 2006
Location: That, there, that's not my post count... nothing to see here, move along.
Posts: 46,302
Re: Penal code change for Drivers
How about the Sin vergüenza's?
Dec 22nd 2007, 6:19 pm
#10
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Jul 2007
Location: Xirles Costa Blanca
Posts: 922
Re: Penal code change for Drivers
Penal!!!
You got me a tadge excited then
Never mind
You got me a tadge excited then
Never mind
Dec 22nd 2007, 6:28 pm
#11
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: Penal code change for Drivers
YES Its in the free beer thread.............................
Dec 22nd 2007, 6:37 pm
#12
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Dec 22nd 2007, 6:47 pm
#14
RETIRED ;-))
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Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Dec 22nd 2007, 6:59 pm
#15
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