Brits in Spain can drive again: driving licence exchange deal approved

Now you have to exchange your UK driving licence for a Spanish one – here’s how…

Brits in Spain will be able to drive again using their UK driving licences and exchange their British licences for Spanish ones again, the British Embassy in Madrid and the DGT Spanish motoring authorities have confirmed.

The Consejo de Ministros in Spain approved an agreement with the UK on Tuesday March 14, and from Thursday March 16 Brits will have another 6 months in which they can drive legally on their UK licences – until mid-September – during which time they should exchange those licences for Spanish ones if they wish to keep driving.

Read guide: How to exchange your UK driving licence in Spain—The ultimate step-by-step instructions for expats

Since May 1, 2022, British citizens who have been Spanish residents for 6 months or longer have not been allowed to drive legally in Spain on a UK driving licence, and if they wanted to drive had take their Spanish driving test to get a Spanish licence.

For the last 10 months, the two countries have been bogged down in ‘negotiations’ to reach a deal to allow the thousands of UK nationals resident in Spain – not to mention any Spaniards and foreign nationals who passed their driving test in the UK – to be able to drive once again, but the going has been slow.

Now, finally, the wait is over and from Thursday March 16, UK driving licence holders resident in Spain can get back on the road.

Related:

Driving rules for UK tourists visiting Spain, “What licence do I need?”

Can UK driving licence holders borrow a friend’s car while holidaying in Spain?

Spain and the UK have also agreed to provide each other with information on the data of the vehicles and their owners for the purpose of investigating traffic offenses related to road safety, especially in cases of speeding, not wearing a seat belt, failure to stop at a red light, driving while intoxicated, driving under the influence of drugs, not wearing a crash helmet, driving in a prohibited lane, or illegal use of mobile phones.

Despite being the European country with the highest population of British expats, Spain was the last country in the EU to reach a post-Brexit driving licence deal with the UK.

What happens next? How can I exchange my licence?

While you can legally drive again for the next 6 months, after that period you will not be able to drive anymore, so you should swap your UK licence for a Spanish one in order to be able to continue driving here.

The British Ambassador to Spain has also confirmed that even if you do not exchange your licence in that 6-month window, you can still do so at any point without having to take a Spanish driving test, as long as your British licence remains valid.

To exchange your driving licence without having to do a theory or practical test, you must first have a valid and current driving licence, naturally.

Then, once the booking system is available on the website of the DGT you need to make an appointment with a Jefatura or an Oficina de Tráfico.

You should also book with a registered and recognised health centre to do a psychotechnical medical test (psicotécnico), which qualifies you as fit to drive.

You can find a full list of ‘psicotécnico’ test centres here

Find all the latest motoring and travel news here or join our Driving in Spain Facebook group for regular updates

If you require assistance in arranging your medical appointment and exchanging your driving licence, you can contact Heniam Legal & Administrative services in Spain to sort it out on your behalf:

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