Thread: UK Driving License in Spain

I have had several different opinions regarding using a UK driving licence in Spain and should I be fore-fitting my UK licence for a Spanish one now that I am resident in the country?
I obviously don't want to do this and have not been challenged by the police when occasionally stopped but I would appreciate other peoples' experiences.

Hi,you do not have to change your UK licence you do have to abide by the spanish medical requirements.

EU DRIVING LICENCES IN SPAIN - Medicals

New laws have been recently introduced and these state that if you hold an EU driving licence, you need to hold a medical certificate, the same as a Spanish national. For drivers aged between 18-45, your medical examination is every 10 years. From 45-70 years, every 5 years and for 70 years of age upwards, every two years. If you are caught for ANY driving offence and your medical examination is not current, you will be deemed to NOT HAVE a driving licence.



The medical examination is a very simple procedure and most private medical centres carry them out. Costs vary but an average cost would be 30-40 euros.

My husband can give further details on this.

I have just had my medical today and next step is getting things done at Trafico....how easy is this to do on your own, do you think, or should someone be paid to do it??

Any advice would be appreciated.

According to the Traffic Police in Alcalá la Real, it is when you get to 70 that the main advantage of having changed to a Spanish licence arises. As you are all aware (aren't you?) your UK licence expires when you get to 70, but you can't renew it unless you have a UK address/live in the UK. Therefore you will need to get a Spanish licence then and it will probably mean that you have to take a driving test to Spanish rules because you no longer have a valid licence allowing you to drive in Spain. However if you change it before, you already have a valid licence and should be issued with a Spanish one without a test. BUT you must comply with the Spanish medical certificate rules even if you keep using your UK licence.