HEALTHPLAN MAGAZINE

The British Embassy in Madrid has given an update on the UK driving licence exchange on its Brits in Spain Facebook page.

Although a date of completion has still not been provided, the embassy states that both the legal and political approvals are underway and as soon as they have further information they will let everyone know.

Many have been asking, "What happens next?" and the update has been given to answer that exact question and more.

Once the agreement which was announced on November 19 is finalised, it will be published in the BOE (Spanish state bulletin). At that point, you will be allowed to drive on your UK driving licence for six months, during which you will need to exchange it for a Spanish licence to allow you to continue driving.

If after the initial six months you have not exchanged your licence, you will no longer be able to drive on your UK licence. You will, however, still be able to exchange it for a Spanish one.

The term ‘UK licence’ relates to any valid licence that has been issued by the DVLA (Great Britain licensing authority), DVA (Northern Ireland licensing authority) and the Gibraltar licensing authority.

Other questions asked are "Do I need to take a medical exam when applying for or renewing my licence?"

The answer is yes you do. The psicotecnico test or psychophysical aptitude test, consists of a set of examination checks that are carried out by ophthalmologists, psychologists and doctors.

The tests include:-

• Eyesight test
• Hearing and audiometry test
• Blood pressure check and pulmonary auscultation
• Mobility, strength and coordination tests
• Psychological test
• General questions about your health

You will need a certificate showing you have passed the test in order to exchange your licence. The certificate will be valid for three months.

Will UK driving licences, as a result of an exchange of a licence obtained by a test in a third country be exchanged?

An example of this is "I took my driving test in Australia and converted my Australian licence to a UK one when I lived there."

You should be able to exchange a UK licence that was acquired as a result of exchange with a third country, as long as Spain has a driving licence exchange agreement with that country.

For example, Spain doesn’t have an exchange agreement with Australia, therefore you would not be able to exchange it, if your licence was originally granted there.

What types of licences can be exchanged?

Any valid category B, UK car licence can be exchanged, and the British Embassy expects that other licence categories, such as moped and motorcycle, will also be on the list of authorised exchanges.

Further details on this will be available when the agreement is published.

Learn more about the psychophysical aptitude test which you will need to pass to exchange or licence.

Source

https://www.facebook.com/BritsInSpain
https://www.healthplanspain.com/blog/expat-tips/1643-medical-examinations-applying-renewing-driving-licence-spain.html