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American would like a vehicle for a year in Spain?

5K views 19 replies 5 participants last post by  halydia 
#1 ·
I'll be living in Spain from August to June starting this fall. My job will most likely be in a remote location and I would prefer to commute from the nearest city. I have no knowledge about the process of obtaining a vehicle. Ideally I'd like to be able to purchase a Motorbike or Vespa and sell it before I leave.

Questions: Is this possible? Insurance? I will have an IDP (International Drivers Permit) that I will get here in the states. Will I need a Spanish Drivers License? The US requires a special endorsement to operate a motorbike. Does Spain also require this?

Any help or additional info would be greatly appreciated

Thanks!
Adam
 
#2 ·
Your International driving permit has to be backed up by a valid driving licence iirc, and a US driving licence is only valid for a certain time in Spain. You need to check with the Spanish Embassy

As regards purchasing a car, there are various stories depending which area, but certainly here in the CB I needed to be on the padron, and there have been reports of cars not being able to be registered in your name without having signed on the register of foreigners (residencia)
 
#3 ·
Thanks for the info. I have a valid US drivers license and from what I understand the IDP is valid for one year which would work well for me. When I get to Spain the organization I'm working for will assist me with a NIE and a bank account, but I'm unfamiliar with the padron
What is the padron? and how do I get on it? Where do I sign on the register of foreigners?

Thank you for your help!
Adam
 
G
#5 ·
Adam, you will no longer be able to legally drive on your IDL and/or American license after 6 months of residency in Spain. Being an auxiliar counts. Once those six months are up, you'll have to get a Spanish driver's license. This is an expensive process because to do the road test you need a specially modified car, one which the local driving schools use.

Another huge issue is that we haven't found anyone willing to insure me on my American/IDL license and you can't drive without insurance... I almost cried in trafico when they said I had to start from 0 again.
 
#6 ·
You might want to consider living in the pueblo where you are working, and getting a bus or train to the city at weekends and festivals?

That's what my Canadian friend does (she is in the same situation as you). She socialises with all the other teachers locally, and they take her to all sorts of nice places.

You might find it a bit lonely living in the city where you don't know anybody.
 
#10 ·
I think this might be the simplest solution, or vice versa. If I have the option to make my own schedule I could envision myself working two days a week and commuting those two days. Is the public transportation system reliable?

I was kind of thinking the opposite, that it might be lonely living in a small pueblo, compared to a city where there is more cultural diversity and more opportunities to meet people.
 
#18 ·
So I have been placed in Algeciras, Spain. Far from the small pueblo I was expecting. From what I hear the public transportation system there is very reliable making any need for a vehicle n/a. I do appreciate the input and if anyone is familiar with Algeciras or has travel suggestions for the surrounding area, that input would be appreciated as well.

Adam
 
#19 ·
The train ride to Ronda is spectacular - Ronda is pretty spectacular too!

Get a bus west to anywhere on the Costa de la Luz - start at the old Moorish city of Tarifa, as featured in The Alchemist.

Spend a weekend in the city of Cadiz at Carnival time (late February). Direct bus from Algeciras.

Get a bus to Jerez de la Frontera and find out how sherry is made.

Sign up for excursions from Los Barrios into the Alcornocales natural park and watch the eagles and griffons.

Get a bus to the city of Malaga and visit the Picasso and other art galleries.

Or get the hydrofoil across to Ceuta, a part of Spain but on African soil.

You can get over to Morocco too, but not sure about the visa requirements for US citizens.

You'll be signing up for another year before you know it.
 
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