UK driving licences are no longer valid for British residents in Spain from May 1
The UK government failed to reach an agreement with Spain before the end of the current grace period, although talks are ongoing
Just over 24 hours before the deadline, the UK government has delivered the news that it has not reached an agreement with Spain and therefore, British citizens who have been resident in Spain for more than 6 months and still hold a UK licence will no longer be permitted to drive from May 1, 2022.
The British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, delivered the news on Friday April 29, which will be devastating for many expats, particularly those who live in rural areas.
According to the British Embassy in Madrid, UK and Spanish Ministers have agreed to rapidly accelerate talks next week in the hopes of reaching an agreement soon that would avoid holders of UK licences having to take a theory and practical driving test in Spain, but the negotiations haven’t come in time for the countless expats that failed to switch to a Spanish licence before the deadline.
What this means for UK licence holders living in Spain
- If you have been resident in Spain since before January 1 2021, your UK driving licence will no longer be valid and you will not be permitted to drive from May 1
- For UK licence holders who arrived in Spain after January 1 2021, you have six months from when you are granted your residency to take a Spanish driving test
- The rules do not apply to tourists visiting from Britain or Gibraltar, who are permitted to continue driving in Spain on their UK licences
The Embassy recommends that anyone who needs to continue driving should take immediate steps to take a driving test and obtain a Spanish licence, as driving in Spain without a licence is a serious offence.
“We know this will cause significant difficulties for those who have not yet been able to exchange their licence. I am relieved that most of you were able to exchange your licence as advised before the end of the transition period,” the Embassy said on delivering the news.
“New negotiations will continue early next week,” they assured, and all updates will be posted on the GOV.UK official website.
Full details on how to exchange a UK driving licence in Spain can be found on the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) official website.
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