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From the Gov UK website as of Friday

Driving in Spain
If you live in Spain and have a valid UK driving licence, this will be recognised for driving in Spain until 30 June 2021.

If you wish to exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one, the process to follow depends on whether you registered your intention to exchange with the Spanish Traffic Authority (DGT) before 30 December 2020.

If you registered with the Spanish Traffic Authority (DGT) before 30 December 2020
If you were resident in Spain before 1 January 2021 and registered with the DGT before 30 December 2020, you should request an appointment with the DGT to exchange your UK licence by 30 June 2021.

To exchange your licence you will need:

proof you are registered as a resident in Spain (eg. TIE – Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero; green EU residence certificate)
your UK licence
Read DGT’s guidance on how to get an appointment (in Spanish with English translation).

The DGT will exchange your UK licence for a temporary driving permit (‘autorización temporal para conducir’) until your Spanish licence is processed. This document is valid in Spain only.

If you did not register with DGT before 30 December 2020
If you did not register with DGT before 30 December 2020 and wish to exchange your UK driving licence, you should follow the DGT process for non-EU nationals. This includes taking a driving test.

The UK government is in discussion with the Spanish government on future driving licence exchange without the need for a practical test. Sign up for email alerts to this page, to get notified of our updates on changes to the rules.

Your valid UK licence will continue to be recognised in Spain until 30 June 2021.

Driving in the UK with a Spanish licence
You can use your Spanish licence in the UK for short visits, or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test. We will update this page if there are any changes to the rules, as soon as information is available.

Lost, stolen or expired UK licences
If you live in Spain, you will not be able to renew your driving licence in the UK. If your UK licence is lost, stolen or expired, you will need to apply to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) for a ‘certificate of entitlement’ to be able to apply for a Spanish driving licence.

Where u from

LGroves wrote:

Where u from

Her profile says the UK

I have a NZ driver’s license. Can i change it in spain?

jorawargurgagan wrote:

I have a NZ driver’s license. Can i change it in spain?

England- hoping to get visas and work permits and be in Spain by November  2021

Hi Simcity

Thank you very much for the link. I just spotted that instead of going through the Spanish driving test, one can still drive with an international license after 6 months living here? Do you know if one can keep driving with this international license? It costs only 9€ per year in my country to get one so why would I want to go through the full tests in Spain?

Thank you.

There is no such thing as an international driving licence

It is an international driving permit, which is only a translation of one's national DL, which must be carried in some  countries with ones DL.

Apologize for the incorrect wording. Can one keep renewing the international permit instead of going through the Spanish tests? Thanks

An IDP is not a DL. 

One drives on the authority of one’s DL.

One can only get an IDP with a valid DL.

I thought you wanted to know if you can drive using an IDP, instead of your national DL.  That was why I said you cannot

If you need an IDA, to permit you to drive using your national DL, that’s a different question.

IDP is always used with a valid  DL hand by hand, never alone.  So when I asked if I've could drive in Spain with the IDP renewed year after year, the DL is implied.

I had a one year IDP before but never got to use it as my license was accepted alone everywhere I traveled.

Anyone who could shed a light with a link would be greatly appreciated.

Is it possible to drive with an EU driver’s license (French) in Spain for longer than 6 months?  Thanks everyone! Lmf

Rextravis wrote:

Is it possible to drive with an EU driver’s license (French) in Spain for longer than 6 months?  Thanks everyone! Lmf

Those with licences from the EU and the EEA are allowed to drive in Spain with their current licences, as long as they have not expired. If your licence doesn’t expire in less than 15 years, you can carry on using your EU licence, but are also free to exchange it any time you want. According to the DGT, this process is voluntary.

According to Spain’s DGT, if it expires in 15 years or more, or doesn’t have an expiry date on it, you should exchange it for a Spanish one. Whenever your licence does expire, you should also exchange it for a Spanish one.

To exchange it for a Spanish license, is it a formality or do I need to take an exam?  My EU license doesn’t expire...thanks!

You do not say, but assuming you mean a U.K. DL.

Unless you registered to change the licence before 1/1/21, you will have to take the Spanish driving test.

There is a possibility spain may permit the exchange of licences again at sometime but as I understand there is nothing decided yet.

Thank you for your message !  It is a non expirable French DL, I received another message saying it was ok to drive with a French license

A French licence can be exchanged

Info here:- 

Lmflmf1 wrote:

Thank you for your message !  It is a non expirable French DL, I received another message saying it was ok to drive with a French license

If you lose/stolen your license it far easier to replace it if you have a Spanish license.

"Apologize for the incorrect wording. Can one keep renewing the international permit instead of going through the Spanish tests?"

The answer to your question, without playing semantics games, is yes... you can continue to renew your IDP and not bother with a Spain DL.  If stopped by police, you show your IDP and let them do the talking (in other words, don't volunteer information unless specifically asked).  If asked, you can explain you travel back and forth between your country and Spain.  This has worked for many years.

Speaking from a practical standpoint, when it no longer works is when you exchange your country's DL for a Spain DL, not before.  Also, next time you're in your country, apply for a duplicate DL (because yours got misplaced).  When you do have to turn in your license and apply for a Spanish DL, you'll turn in your duplicate.  That way, you'll still have your license when you do go back to your country.

I have a international license very easy procesto get .

This is NOT good advice. I was given a 1000€ fine WITH international driver's license. Once you have obtained residency here by getting a NIE , you need to get a Spanish driver's. You can exchange most European licenses without taking the test. There is a list , check it , because they only allow you to exchange license for license in the first year after getting your NIE , after which you need to do the test . The police in certain regions ask for your Identity document and if you present a foreign identity, they check your passport for a visa or date of entry. If it is older than 3 months they will ask you for a NIE or TIE card . If you can't present these you will be detained. They used to be more lenient to Emglish and German people because they are considered important tourists and mostly hassled Africans ..I'm from South Africa.. so anyway , they made me park my car and I had to pay a 1000€ . Since Brexit they are pissed and offended and they have screwed a few English people too. They can march you to the ATM and if you don't have the money they will impound your car and detain you  .DO NOT follow this guys advice  .He has just gotten lucky but it won't last forever. The law says you can ONLY use your European or International driver's for max 3 months as a tourist .If you are living in Spain you need to exchange your license for a Spanish within in a month to avoid doing the driver's test. If you aren't from Europe you most likely have to take the test , yes or yes .

Listen to GuestPoster854 on this. Use the International license while you are going through the process of getting a Spanish driver's license. You MUST get a Spanish license or you will be fined if you are caught. For people from EU countries it is an easy process -- just "trade it in" - for those of us from non-EU countries, you have to start over as if you have never had a license. This means taking lessons and passing a written and practical exam.