UK Paper Driving License to Drive in Spain

[spanishhopeful]

Hey Everyone

We arrive in Spain on Friday! Have a quick question hopefully someone can help me with.

I have not got one of the new UK Photo Driving Licenses and I don't have my paper one anymore either. In the past I have phoned DVLA and they have been able to fax a copy of the license to anyone that is needing it. I do have an australian photo driving license. I was wondering if there is anyway to use what DVLA can fax through to get a photo driving license in Spain?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Pete

[karunaji]

Originally Posted by spanishhopeful

Hey Everyone

We arrive in Spain on Friday! Have a quick question hopefully someone can help me with.

I have not got one of the new UK Photo Driving Licenses and I don't have my paper one anymore either. In the past I have phoned DVLA and they have been able to fax a copy of the license to anyone that is needing it. I do have an australian photo driving license. I was wondering if there is anyway to use what DVLA can fax through to get a photo driving license in Spain?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Pete

Hi Pete - even I managed to get a photocard provisional in exchange for my old paper one. It sounds very odd that you don't have either aboard - because strictly speaking when you are driving you license at hand is a legal requirement - so not sure where you have been so fortunate to just have the DVLA 'fax a copy'.It all sounds quite colonial!
Can you imagine being stopped on the road for a check - which they do here in Spain - or in the USA or OZ for that matter, and saying - "sorry officer, it's ok - scouts honour I have one - all we need do is get the DVLA to fax a copy". I suspect your vehicle in some places would be impounded there and then! And were you to be in an accident - what then?
I doubt if you could hire a car without present your valid license
I'm not sure you have really dwelt upon the repercussions.

"In the past..." suggests this is not an overnight problem - so why put yourself and your family through all this. Although I'm not an expert, Ihaving lived here and in other European countries, and the east, a quick DVLA faxwouldnot be acceptable. You'd probably have to go to the local police, not to speak of a notary.

I suspect you own a passport and dno't expect a "quick fax to the Home Office" to solve the problem abroad.

[jojo]

Yes, I think its time that you got a replacement. Spain and the guardia tend to insist on seeing a drivers licence on the spot - they even insist on seeing, not only your insurance certificate, but the proof of payment - on the spot!

Jo xxx

[spanishhopeful]

Originally Posted by karunaji

Hi Pete - even I managed to get a photocard provisional in exchange for my old paper one. It sounds very odd that you don't have either aboard - because strictly speaking when you are driving you license at hand is a legal requirement - so not sure where you have been so fortunate to just have the DVLA 'fax a copy'.It all sounds quite colonial!
Can you imagine being stopped on the road for a check - which they do here in Spain - or in the USA or OZ for that matter, and saying - "sorry officer, it's ok - scouts honour I have one - all we need do is get the DVLA to fax a copy". I suspect your vehicle in some places would be impounded there and then! And were you to be in an accident - what then?
I doubt if you could hire a car without present your valid license
I'm not sure you have really dwelt upon the repercussions.

"In the past..." suggests this is not an overnight problem - so why put yourself and your family through all this. Although I'm not an expert, Ihaving lived here and in other European countries, and the east, a quick DVLA faxwouldnot be acceptable. You'd probably have to go to the local police, not to speak of a notary.

I suspect you own a passport and dno't expect a "quick fax to the Home Office" to solve the problem abroad.

Hey thanks for the reply. I don't think i have explained myself correctly. Firstly I am currently in Australia, I have a full australian photocard driving license which I keep in my wallet. When I left the UK i didnt have a photocard as it was not available i only had the paper copy. Somehow the paper copy that i had was lost when we moved to australia. All the australian Licensing people needed was a fax confirmation from DVLA of my british driving license. This then allowed them to issue me an australian Photo Driving license which I still have in my Wallet

All I was wondering is if I can just use the australian photo driving license to change to the spanish photo driving license or will I have to get the DVLA to Fax proof of my british paper license too!

Sorry for the confusion but I have always had a license in my wallet since leaving the UK I just don't have the original UK Paper or Photo License.

Thanks

Pete

[spanishhopeful]

Originally Posted by jojo

Yes, I think its time that you got a replacement. Spain and the guardia tend to insist on seeing a drivers licence on the spot - they even insist on seeing, not only your insurance certificate, but the proof of payment - on the spot!

Jo xxx

Hey Jojo yeah thats all I was asking was what is the best way to go about this. Do I just change the australian one over or change to a spanish drivers license with a copy of my British drivers license that I can get faxed to me?

Pete

[jojo]

Originally Posted by spanishhopeful

Hey thanks for the reply. I don't think i have explained myself correctly. Firstly I am currently in Australia, I have a full australian photocard driving license which I keep in my wallet. When I left the UK i didnt have a photocard as it was not available i only had the paper copy. Somehow the paper copy that i had was lost when we moved to australia. All the australian Licensing people needed was a fax confirmation from DVLA of my british driving license. This then allowed them to issue me an australian Photo Driving license which I still have in my Wallet

All I was wondering is if I can just use the australian photo driving license to change to the spanish photo driving license or will I have to get the DVLA to Fax proof of my british paper license too!

Sorry for the confusion but I have always had a license in my wallet since leaving the UK I just don't have the original UK Paper or Photo License.

Thanks

Pete

The question then is - Would an Australian drivers licence be valid in Spain??? Cos without an instant British/EU one, thats all you would be able to show, unless you can get a copy to have with you in the event of needing to show it!

Jo xxx

[jojo]

...... Do drivers licences need to have a current address on them to be valid???

Jo xxxx

[spanishhopeful]

yeah i think they do looks like i will need the uk paper license to exchange it for a spanish one. I dont think there are any agreements with australia at all.

Pete

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by jojo

The question then is - Would an Australian drivers licence be valid in Spain??? Cos without an instant British/EU one, thats all you would be able to show, unless you can get a copy to have with you in the event of needing to show it!

Jo xxx

apparently the Aus license with an International license is OK for a tourist for 90 days - and for 6 months as resident, after which time it appears you have to take a driving test

have a look here Driving in Spain - Embajada de Australia


I really think he needs to get his UK license sorted ASAP before he comes here

[jojo]

Originally Posted by xabiachica

apparently the Aus license with an International license is OK for a tourist for 90 days - and for 6 months as resident, after which time it appears you have to take a driving test

have a look here Driving in Spain - Embajada de Australia


I really think he needs to get his UK license sorted ASAP before he comes here

AAAARRRGGGGGHHHHHHH I doubt he'll fancy doing that lol!!!!

Jo xxxx