Driving in Spain info.

[xabiachica]

I'm trying to get all driving stuff together

here's a link to the DGT - Dirección General de Tráfico - the govt agency which deals with driving, licences etc.

http://www.dgt.es/portal/es/la_dgt/bienvenida/

and the DVLA http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring...ng/DG_10023103

here are a few threads

Driving License: How to get one and the difficulty of passing

Error on driver's license

UK Paper Driving License to Drive in Spain


Car Insurance in Costa Blanca South

Car Insurance Company


American would like a vehicle for a year in Spain?

bringing cars to spain

Taking own car to spain

See information from DGT regarding the sale of a vehicle :

Dirección General de Tráfico

And the form for notification of sale:

http://www.dgt.es/was6/portal/conten...s/transveh.pdf

When your Spanish driving licence expires, you can now do the medical/aptitude test at a local medical centre with the new licence sent to you by post within a month. You no longer have to go to Trafico.

Read more at Suite101: Renewing a Spanish Driving Licence Avoiding Tráfico Headquarters Renewing a Spanish Driving Licence Avoiding Tráfico Headquarters

[Manin_bcn]

Okay, I have just been onto the website relating to this. Not as complicated as I thought however... I have now emailed them (will get a reply when I retire, probably - joke, no offence intended!)

It seems, actually, from my interpretation, that we can get one - so I shall await their reply.

Spanish driving licence? How do you get one of those then? I have a full UK (clean) licence; do I need to exchange?

[mepossem]

Originally Posted by Manin_bcn

Okay, I have just been onto the website relating to this. Not as complicated as I thought however... I have now emailed them (will get a reply when I retire, probably - joke, no offence intended!)

It seems, actually, from my interpretation, that we can get one - so I shall await their reply.

Spanish driving licence? How do you get one of those then? I have a full UK (clean) licence; do I need to exchange?

yes, you need to get a Spanish driving license if you are resident here. Go to 'Tráfico' in Barcelona - best time is early in the afternoon, say 3 or 4 in the afternoon, when there are less queues. Depending ... you will have to take a simple eyesight exam etc. (can' t remember the exact details but any gestoría will inform you). The cards are bank card size, with your photograph and your NIE number. You are supposed to always have your driving license with you when driving. Otherwise the fine is automatic.

[Manin_bcn]

... oh okay, thanks.

Does this cost anything, do you know?

Originally Posted by mepossem

yes, you need to get a Spanish driving license if you are resident here. Go to 'Tráfico' in Barcelona - best time is early in the afternoon, say 3 or 4 in the afternoon, when there are less queues. Depending ... you will have to take a simple eyesight exam etc. (can' t remember the exact details but any gestoría will inform you). The cards are bank card size, with your photograph and your NIE number. You are supposed to always have your driving license with you when driving. Otherwise the fine is automatic.

[mepossem]

Originally Posted by Manin_bcn

... oh okay, thanks.

Does this cost anything, do you know?

seem to remember some 15 or 25 euro but can' t do so exactly

[Manin_bcn]

... ok thanks again!

Trying to locate the office, but coming up with lots of different sites, which basically don't mean anything! Ha!

Originally Posted by mepossem

seem to remember some 15 or 25 euro but can' t do so exactly

[Manin_bcn]

... thanks, it was the official website, but I can't post URL's on here (for some reason).

I have found this, relating to EU/UK driving licence to Spanish:

All EU driving licenses are recognized in Spain. If you are European Union citizen, you may drive in Spain until your license expires, then you must apply for a Spanish driving license and prove your residency in Spain (showing your NIE no. and registration of your property with the local Town Hall would be enough).

My licence doesn't expire for another 10 years, so I guess I'm okay?? I just am one of those people who like to do things 'right' n 'proper'.

[mepossem]

in Barcelona, Tráfico is :
Gran Vía Corts Catalanes, 184, Barcelona - 932 986 500

Don' t remember the price at all. You really are better off calling them (or 060, the general administration telephone number) or going there and asking them.

There is one or two tests (incl. on a computer) in a private company - don t worry, they are close by), a simple medical questionnaire and eye test, etc. but all nothing to be worried about. Again: can' t recall the cost.

[Hepa]

Originally Posted by mepossem

no, there's another rule that if you are resident you need a spanish driving licence.

You can change your present licence for a Spanish one, but here we are told that our British Photo Licence will suffice, providing we have the medical.

Boss Lady has changed hers, I didn't.

[xabiachica]

Originally Posted by Manin_bcn

.... argh! Such bureaucracy!

Okay, I'll go to the office next week and make some enquiries ... test? OMG, I think I would probably fail the UK driving test nowadays!

I can drive though ..... ;-)

actually you don't HAVE to have a spanish license - although it is generally advised

also, you don't have to take what you would really call a test - from what I'm told it's more like playing a computer game!!