Casa Santo Estevo

For those who have moved recently and missed the deadline to exchange their licences.There is now an agreement which will allow you to do so.
Spanish Ministry website.
The actual law still has to be published in the Diario oficial Boletín Oficial del Estado. It is due today 15th March 2023, thus published the day after on the website.

Ronnyone

Note you can now drive again on uk licence for 6 months then you must have exchanged. After 6 months you can exchange but no longer drive until you have you Spanish licence. Also you have to submit your uk licence so you cannot hold both!

DLC

The final paragraph is official confirmation of what's held up driving licence exchange for two years:

Notdunroamin

Only what Spain had before Brexit and wanted to retain!

100% down to UK intransigence.

Lefty2021

I did read that if your U.K. licence has expired you cannot automatically drive from the start date until you are actually in possession of your new Spanish licence, this may catch some out if they are not aware

Barriej

Yep because Spain has to verify the licence details with DVLA first and then issue your proper Spanish licence.

All others handing over a valid UK licence should get a Temp Permission paper...
Obviously points on the Uk licence dont get transfered (well I had 6) but have a full compliment on my Spanish one..

I know its not difficult to do yourself, but for ease and speed, why not find somewhere who uses an agent who takes lots of licences plus medical certificates together to wherever you have to go to. .
Thats how I got mine sorted at the end of 2020 when hundreds of others didnt.. because they tried to DIY and save a few €...

It always helps when someone knows someone who knows someone wink wink...And thats how it works here.. Grease them wheels Pedro

Ive just checked and it cost €60.00 to do the driving licence swap plus the medical (€46) and it was all done on the same day..
The agent went with me to IMED Benidorm, then took the receipt and the paperwork with my licence to where ever, the next morning he gave me the temp permission paper..

VFR

You know that for a fact I take it ?

DLC

Certainly looks like it.

@HughElliottUK 3rd May 2022: "An update: negotiations continue this week and are making progress. You’ve asked why the delay? Spain has asked to include data provision on vehicle owners. This is more complex - so taking longer. V disruptive for the group affected. We’ve asked for a new grace period."


The "group affected" would be tourists I guess. It would be "disruptive" if they couldn't drive badly without paying fines???

spainrico

The centres can charge what they like the DGT cost is on a fixed scale.

missile

Good news, thanks for sharing :-)

spainrico

This is the official press release from UK Embassy Madrid:-The UK and Spain reach agreement over driving licence exchange for UK licence holders living in Spain



· From today (16 March) UK licence holders are able to exchange their UK licence for a Spanish one without having to take a driving test

· For six months from today UK licence holders resident in Spain will be able to legally drive again on their valid UK licence whilst they complete the exchange process

· Please see information from the Dirección General de Tráfico for more detail on the process to follow



The Governments of the UK and Spain have reached a deal on driving licence negotiations, so that holders of a valid UK licence are able to exchange it for a Spanish one without having to take a practical or theory test. The agreement was passed by the Consejo de Ministros on Tuesday, followed by a formal exchange of notes on Wednesday and the agreement applies from today.



HMA Hugh Elliott said: “I am delighted that these negotiations have come to an end and UK licence holders will now be able to exchange their UK licence for a Spanish one without having to take a driving test.



From today, UK licence holders can drive for six months on their UK licence, during which time the Embassy is urging them to exchange it for a Spanish one as soon as possible. Remember that it is possible to exchange a licence anywhere in Spain, not only where you live.



I know this process has taken a lot longer than we all would have liked and has been very difficult for those affected. I am grateful to them for their patience and forbearance.



You can find information on the process from the DGT and we will be posting answers to some of your most frequently asked questions on our Facebook page.”



HMA Hugh Elliott updated UK licence holders in a video message after the agreement was approved by the Consejo de Ministros on Tuesday. Please do share this link on your networks.



For further information on living in Spain, including driving rules, visit: gov.uk/livinginspain