ARCHIVED - British Ambassador is hopeful for UK driving licence extension in Spain
The Spanish and UK governments are currently in talks to extend the validity of driving licences beyond October 31
The validity of UK driving licences in Spain after Brexit may be extended after October 31, according to British Ambassador in Spain Hugh Elliott. Under current rules, UK citizens who have Spanish residency and drive in Spain using their British driving licence can only do so until the end of October, after which point they will become invalid.
This deadline had already been extended by four months back in June. In a recent meeting between a minister from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) and the British Ambassador, it was announced that they were “hopeful” that there could be a further extension since “talks for a bilateral agreement are continuing” between the Spanish and UK governments.
Due to Brexit, Brits who were living in Spain before January 1 2021 and who wanted to keep driving legally were required to exchange their UK licence for a Spanish one by giving their licence details to the Dirreción General de Tráfico (DGT), Spain’s vehicle and licencing body, before December 31 2020. They can then exchange their licence to get a new Spanish one before December 31 2021. Anyone who didn’t do this will have to retake their driving test, in Spanish, to get a Spanish driving permit.
While the validity of UK licences is thankfully being extended, there is as yet no sign that people wanting to exchange their British licence for a Spanish one will be allowed to do so even if they missed the 31 December 2020 deadline. According to the UK government, though, “negotiations are underway between the British and Spanish Governments to agree long-term arrangements for exchanging driving licences without needing a practical test.”
However, valid UK driving licences belonging to British tourists and non-residents in Spain are still currently recognised for 6 months from the moment they arrive in the country.
The rules have also recently changed for British cars in Spain, which have to show a ‘UK’ sticker on the back next to the number plate and not a ‘GB’ sticker as of September 28 2021.
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