Rosemary

This is by way of a change from the good old chestnut of whether to have LHD or RHD and whether to be legal or illegal.

UK driving licence, EU driving licence or change to a Spanish driving licence?

Due to reading loads of different things we made the decision to change our EU licences to Spanish licences because a) all of the police KNOW what a Spanish licence looks like. b) we live in Spain so a Spanish licence seems sensible. c) another ticky box completed.

Very painless process which involved a small medical and a driving test which in all cost us 90 euros each. Medical and driving test cost 35 euros each and the Gestor charged us 55 euros each as he was also our translator to ensure that we did not make any mistakes.

Rosemary

keithwalters

Why did you have to do a medical and a driving test?

I switched my UK licence (is that the same as an EU licence?) to Spanish and all I had to do was fill in a form. The total cost I forget, but it was no more than about 16 euros.

That was about 5 years ago so I got a crappy paper Spanish licence. They have since switched over to nice plastic ones (so presumably they are EU licences??). When I get round to it I am going to switch the paper one for a plastic one.

Rosemary

Possibly the rules have changed in the last 5 years - no idea personally.

Medical was an miniscule eye test, check for colour blindness and BP check and the driving test was a computer programme to check reflexes and co-ordination.

OH was told that he has the BP of a young man so guess who is his new best friend.

Rosemary

keithwalters

Could it be something to do with the licence that you submitted? Mine was the UK plastic version with the EU flag in one corner.

Was yours like this or was it the old UK paper ones?

Rosemary

Plastic EU one with photo etc.

Rosemary

Rosemary

According to 'Living and Working in Spain' by David Hampshire Printed 2003
"licence holders must also undergo the same medical exams and eye tests as holders of Spanish licences".

So we were not at all surprised when that is what was arranged for us.

Rosemary

keithwalters

I can´t explain that one then. I just turned up at the traffico without an appointment and filled in a form. I had to go back a couple of weeks later to pick up my new licence and pay the 16 or so euros.

So why didn´t I do a medical or driving test?????? This was in 2003.

Rosemary

Maybe the secret is the fact that it was 5 years ago and things have changed since then.

Rosemary

keithwalters

But the book you quoted was printed in 2003, same year that I changed my licence. November if I remember correctly.

Unless the book got it wrong??

Fred James

Because you dont have to have a medical when you exchange your licence.

I exchanged mine 7 years ago.

When it comes up for renewal, then you have to have the medical - which can include a coordination test on a computer.

keithwalters

Ah, so that explains my scenario. In that case, why did Rosemary have to do the medical and driving test when she exchanged her licence?

Mitzyboy

OK, dread to ask Fred but thats for sure is it. I only ask as I was told that a UK licence was subject to Spanish medical tests throughout, although I can't remember where. However I've never met anyone whos taken one so it was always a bit of a mystery.

Another point. If I change my licence for a Spanish one and, say, go back to the UK when I'm in my 70's .... would I be able to change my licence for a UK one easily or would I find because of my age that I would be licenceless or subject to a test or anything like that.

sunnydee

Do you have to hand in your UK licence or can you keep hold off it as well as have a Spanish licence?

keithwalters

No, you have to hand it in.

Fred James

Yes, that's for sure - you only need to look on the Trafico website to see what the requirements are to exchange your licence.

The point you raise about your UK licence being subject to Spanish medical tests only applies when you choose not to exchange or register your UK licence. The law says that you are entitled to keep your UK licence but that you must conform to any "local" rules about medical requirments. This means that you will have to have a medical at the same frequency as a Spaniard would have to.

It is a very grey area and it is not clear how this would be policed. Suffice it to say that it is yet another reason to just exchange your licence as soon as you become resident.

As for going back to the UK, you will be able to exchange your Spanish licence for a UK licence with no problems. If you are over 70 at the time then you would have to conform to any UK medical rules that might apply - but as I understand it, they are far less stringent than the Spanish rules.