British Embassy Gives Update On UK Driving Licence Negotiations
Spain News
Published: 14 October 2022 17:03 CET
The British Embassy in Madrid has published its latest update on the driving licence fiasco, which has seen Brits living in Spain unable to drive using their UK driving licence since May 1, 2022.
The update was posted today, Friday, October 14, on the Brits In Spain Facebook page and although no exact date was given as to when a deal would be reached, Ambassador to Spain Hugh Elliott stated in an interview with Spanish daily El Periódico de España “I trust that in the coming weeks we’ll be able to resolve the remaining problems”.
It isn’t known exactly how many people have been affected by the driving licence debacle, but during the interview, Mr Elliott said “It’s a very unfortunate situation, with thousands of British residents in Spain who are currently unable to drive.”
It has been approximately two years since the negotiations began between the Spanish and UK authorities and still, an agreement has not been met. In the Facebook post, it reads that “Ministers raised the issue again with their Spanish counterparts during our annual UK/Spain ‘Tertulias’ summit last weekend in Oxford and we have continued to make progress on the outstanding points this week”.
Although the post stated it was about ‘Driving Licence Negotiations’, it was really more of a Q and A.
“We appreciate you would like to understand exactly what the hold-up is, but as we have said before, there are some details we cannot go into, as that could risk derailing the negotiations – which is the last thing that any of us want,” the post said.
It also claimed that all messages are read and whilst the Ambassador is unable to reply to each and every one of them “we are in touch with many of the groups representing UK Nationals and we are meeting one of the groups specifically lobbying on this issue to discuss their, and your, concerns.
“Lots of you have asked what happens once the final points have been resolved, so we’ve rounded up the most common questions.”
What happens once the agreement is final?
Once the text has been agreed upon by the negotiation teams, it will be forwarded for final political and legal approval. On the Spanish side, this means going through the ‘Consejo de Ministros’ (Spanish Cabinet) and on the UK side, it will be approved by relevant Ministers.
It will then be published in the BOE (state bulletin) and should come into force the same day.
You will then have six months to exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one (without having to take a test), during that time you will be able to drive using your valid UK licence.
Will the agreement only apply to those who were here before the end of 2020 and registered their intent to exchange?
No. The agreement will apply to anyone who holds a UK licence, whether they were here before the end of 2020 or whether they move here in the future.
Will there be enough appointments within that six months?
It will be for the Spanish Government to administer the process and ensure the provision of appointments. This is something that has been raised throughout negotiations and Spain is aware of the potential number of UK nationals who may need to exchange during the six-month window.
It is advised that you get an appointment as soon as you can and not leave it until the last minute. Remember that you do not have to exchange in the town/region where you are resident if there is greater availability elsewhere.
Do I have to complete the exchange process within six months of the agreement coming into effect?
No, but you will only be able to drive on your UK licence during this six-month window. You can complete the exchange after that window has expired, but you will not be able to drive using your UK licence while you are waiting to do so.
My UK licence has expired. Will I still be able to get a Spanish licence without taking a test?
This has been taken into account by the negotiating team. Expired licences will be accepted provided that they were valid at the time that the licence holder entered Spain.
I renewed my UK licence with the DVLA when I was already resident in Spain. Can I still exchange it without taking a test?
All valid UK licences issued prior to this Agreement entering into force can be exchanged, however, you should not renew your UK licence with the DVLA if you are no longer resident in the UK.
Once the Agreement is in place, you must not try to renew a UK licence with the UK authorities if you are resident in Spain. If you do, you will not be able to exchange it for a Spanish one.
Source
https://www.facebook.com/BritsInSpain/posts/501579358669281
