UK Driving licences
Apr 28th 2007, 12:41 am
#32
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2007
Location: Galicia
Posts: 264
Re: UK Driving licences
Have just been down to to the Gestor and all is well, as regards the licencing, and RESPECTS to BEACHCOMBER who has lived tha same amount of time as me and he probably speaks some Spanish as well
The only difference is I am from a Spanish Family
....and I have some Guardia in me mi familia 
May 10th 2007, 11:41 pm
#33
Forum Regular
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 54
Re: UK Driving licences
ok, so i amstill confused? Can somebody please tell me what to do?
I am moving to Benalmadena for at least 6 months from UK. The place i live in, in the UK is rented and when i move to Benalmadena i will no longer have a permanent residence in the UK. So, does this mean i should apply for a Spanish DL? Or, should i just change my UK DL to state my parents address so that after 6 months if i come back i can again alter the address to a new permanent UK address?
I am moving to Benalmadena for at least 6 months from UK. The place i live in, in the UK is rented and when i move to Benalmadena i will no longer have a permanent residence in the UK. So, does this mean i should apply for a Spanish DL? Or, should i just change my UK DL to state my parents address so that after 6 months if i come back i can again alter the address to a new permanent UK address?
May 11th 2007, 5:58 am
#34
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: UK Driving licences
ok, so i amstill confused? Can somebody please tell me what to do?
I am moving to Benalmadena for at least 6 months from UK. The place i live in, in the UK is rented and when i move to Benalmadena i will no longer have a permanent residence in the UK. So, does this mean i should apply for a Spanish DL? Or, should i just change my UK DL to state my parents address so that after 6 months if i come back i can again alter the address to a new permanent UK address?
I am moving to Benalmadena for at least 6 months from UK. The place i live in, in the UK is rented and when i move to Benalmadena i will no longer have a permanent residence in the UK. So, does this mean i should apply for a Spanish DL? Or, should i just change my UK DL to state my parents address so that after 6 months if i come back i can again alter the address to a new permanent UK address?
May 11th 2007, 8:57 am
#35
Ex Expat
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: West Midlands, ex Granada province
Posts: 2,140
Re: UK Driving licences
I still have a valid UK address, it is our family home where our son still lives. I am still registered to vote in the UK at this address. Therefore, as I understand,in these circumstances a UK photocard driving licence is perfectly legal throughout the EU.
Correct?
Correct?
May 11th 2007, 9:17 am
#36
Concierge
Joined: May 2006
Location: ex ex-pat, in Taunton
Posts: 27,217
Re: UK Driving licences
A UK photo driving license is valid in Spain, doesn't matter where you live, it is still valid. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO HAVE IT CHANGED. This is what is in the thread at the start of the forum called 'Free Beer'
May 11th 2007, 11:05 am
#37
Ex Expat
Joined: Oct 2006
Location: West Midlands, ex Granada province
Posts: 2,140
Re: UK Driving licences
Friends of mine insist that if you do not have a valid UK address (although we personally have) then you have to have a Spanish licence. The DVLA themselves told me you only needed a correspondence address and that the photocard licence was perfectly legal..
No-one seems to listen to me though, so I don't tell them now.
May 11th 2007, 9:03 pm
#38
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Location: Beckenham, London borough Bromley
Posts: 1,617
Re: UK Driving licences
Hi
Are you lot stupid or what (JDR included). Your free beer information is wrong.
If you are resident in Spain then the Spanish law applies, it can not be overridden by anyone, and it states that residents in Spain must hold a valid SPANISH licence. So change it. An English licence is not valid for a Spanish RESIDENT. So to get away with it, simply show your passport and say you are on holiday. The fines are upwards of 300 euros for not having a Spanish Licence.
However, if you are a genuine holidaymaker, then the Spanish law allows you under an EU directive to drive here.
You can drive in England on a Spanish licence if you are resident in Spain, and you can hire a car etc.
As Beachcomber says, in 2012 everything changes (which law do you know of that is implemented on time).
Dave Fisher
Are you lot stupid or what (JDR included). Your free beer information is wrong.
If you are resident in Spain then the Spanish law applies, it can not be overridden by anyone, and it states that residents in Spain must hold a valid SPANISH licence. So change it. An English licence is not valid for a Spanish RESIDENT. So to get away with it, simply show your passport and say you are on holiday. The fines are upwards of 300 euros for not having a Spanish Licence.
However, if you are a genuine holidaymaker, then the Spanish law allows you under an EU directive to drive here.
You can drive in England on a Spanish licence if you are resident in Spain, and you can hire a car etc.
As Beachcomber says, in 2012 everything changes (which law do you know of that is implemented on time).
Dave Fisher
May 11th 2007, 9:08 pm
#39
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: UK Driving licences
Hi
Are you lot stupid or what (JDR included). Your free beer information is wrong.
If you are resident in Spain then the Spanish law applies, it can not be overridden by anyone, and it states that residents in Spain must hold a valid SPANISH licence. So change it. An English licence is not valid for a Spanish RESIDENT. So to get away with it, simply show your passport and say you are on holiday. The fines are upwards of 300 euros for not having a Spanish Licence.
However, if you are a genuine holidaymaker, then the Spanish law allows you under an EU directive to drive here.
You can drive in England on a Spanish licence if you are resident in Spain, and you can hire a car etc.
As Beachcomber says, in 2012 everything changes (which law do you know of that is implemented on time).
Dave Fisher
Are you lot stupid or what (JDR included). Your free beer information is wrong.
If you are resident in Spain then the Spanish law applies, it can not be overridden by anyone, and it states that residents in Spain must hold a valid SPANISH licence. So change it. An English licence is not valid for a Spanish RESIDENT. So to get away with it, simply show your passport and say you are on holiday. The fines are upwards of 300 euros for not having a Spanish Licence.
However, if you are a genuine holidaymaker, then the Spanish law allows you under an EU directive to drive here.
You can drive in England on a Spanish licence if you are resident in Spain, and you can hire a car etc.
As Beachcomber says, in 2012 everything changes (which law do you know of that is implemented on time).
Dave Fisher
May 11th 2007, 9:12 pm
#40
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: UK Driving licences
Heres the directive
EXCHANGING OF DRIVING LICENCE
Top INFORMATION ON COMMUNITY LAW
If holders of driving licences changed residence or place of work from one Member State to another they used to have to exchange their licence within one year (Directive 80/1263/EEC). This obligation was abolished on 1 July 1996 and exchanging of driving licences has been voluntary since then.
In the event of voluntary exchange, loss or theft, the Member State in which holders have taken up their normal residence will issue the person concerned with a Community model driving licence for the corresponding category or categories without requiring that person to take a theoretical or practical test.
http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/nav/e...ex_en.html#266
EXCHANGING OF DRIVING LICENCE
Top INFORMATION ON COMMUNITY LAW
If holders of driving licences changed residence or place of work from one Member State to another they used to have to exchange their licence within one year (Directive 80/1263/EEC). This obligation was abolished on 1 July 1996 and exchanging of driving licences has been voluntary since then.
In the event of voluntary exchange, loss or theft, the Member State in which holders have taken up their normal residence will issue the person concerned with a Community model driving licence for the corresponding category or categories without requiring that person to take a theoretical or practical test.
http://ec.europa.eu/youreurope/nav/e...ex_en.html#266
May 11th 2007, 10:11 pm
#41
RETIRED ;-))
Joined: Jul 2003
Location: Benalmadena Pueblo,Spain
Posts: 20,156
Re: UK Driving licences
Hi
Are you lot stupid or what (JDR included). Your free beer information is wrong.
If you are resident in Spain then the Spanish law applies, it can not be overridden by anyone, and it states that residents in Spain must hold a valid SPANISH licence. So change it. An English licence is not valid for a Spanish RESIDENT. So to get away with it, simply show your passport and say you are on holiday. The fines are upwards of 300 euros for not having a Spanish Licence.
However, if you are a genuine holidaymaker, then the Spanish law allows you under an EU directive to drive here.
You can drive in England on a Spanish licence if you are resident in Spain, and you can hire a car etc.
As Beachcomber says, in 2012 everything changes (which law do you know of that is implemented on time).
Dave Fisher
Are you lot stupid or what (JDR included). Your free beer information is wrong.
If you are resident in Spain then the Spanish law applies, it can not be overridden by anyone, and it states that residents in Spain must hold a valid SPANISH licence. So change it. An English licence is not valid for a Spanish RESIDENT. So to get away with it, simply show your passport and say you are on holiday. The fines are upwards of 300 euros for not having a Spanish Licence.
However, if you are a genuine holidaymaker, then the Spanish law allows you under an EU directive to drive here.
You can drive in England on a Spanish licence if you are resident in Spain, and you can hire a car etc.
As Beachcomber says, in 2012 everything changes (which law do you know of that is implemented on time).
Dave Fisher
Last edited by jdr; May 11th 2007 at 10:16 pm.
May 11th 2007, 10:13 pm
#42
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,904
Re: UK Driving licences
I really don't know how many times we have to go over this but Spanish law (which takes precedence over EU directives) says quite clearly that non Spanish, EU driving licences do NOT have to be exchanged or endorsed but the choice is still there to do so if you wish.
What it also says is that, irrespective of the rules that apply in the country of issue, you are bound by the rules that apply to a Spanish national regarding renewals and medical checks.
This has been covered so many times before that I am amazed that there is still any misunderstanding on this subject.
What it also says is that, irrespective of the rules that apply in the country of issue, you are bound by the rules that apply to a Spanish national regarding renewals and medical checks.
This has been covered so many times before that I am amazed that there is still any misunderstanding on this subject.
May 12th 2007, 6:48 am
#43
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,551
Re: UK Driving licences
I really don't know how many times we have to go over this but Spanish law (which takes precedence over EU directives) says quite clearly that non Spanish, EU driving licences do NOT have to be exchanged or endorsed but the choice is still there to do so if you wish.
What it also says is that, irrespective of the rules that apply in the country of issue, you are bound by the rules that apply to a Spanish national regarding renewals and medical checks.
This has been covered so many times before that I am amazed that there is still any misunderstanding on this subject.
What it also says is that, irrespective of the rules that apply in the country of issue, you are bound by the rules that apply to a Spanish national regarding renewals and medical checks.
This has been covered so many times before that I am amazed that there is still any misunderstanding on this subject.
But i hope Dxf likes his humble pie do you need some cream with it
Last edited by Ka Ora!; May 12th 2007 at 6:50 am.
May 12th 2007, 11:17 am
#44
BE Forum Addict
Joined: May 2004
Location: Guadalhorce Valley, Málaga
Posts: 1,059
Re: UK Driving licences
I'm not even going to bother any more. People can make their own choice of what they want to believe and take the consequences of doing so.
May 12th 2007, 11:54 am
#45
Joined: Jun 2006
Location: Granada Costa
Posts: 10,904
Re: UK Driving licences
EU directives are just that - directives.
When the EU issues a directive, member states are given a certain amount of time to implement that directive in their own laws. If they fail to do so the EU can take action against them but the EU cannot change the law in Spain. Until the King has signed the papers it is not part of Spanish law.
Incidentally, the current law in Spain regarding licences is quite clearly fully in compliance with the relevant EU directive.
When the EU issues a directive, member states are given a certain amount of time to implement that directive in their own laws. If they fail to do so the EU can take action against them but the EU cannot change the law in Spain. Until the King has signed the papers it is not part of Spanish law.
Incidentally, the current law in Spain regarding licences is quite clearly fully in compliance with the relevant EU directive.