Many British Residents In Spain Still Unable To Drive From Friday Due To Flaw In Licence Exchange Process
Spain News
Published: 11 September 2023 14:25 CET
From Friday onwards, a significant number of British residents in Spain will find themselves unable to drive using their UK driving licences, and the ongoing issues with the licence exchange system have added to their frustration.
Despite recent assurances from the British Embassy regarding the validity of paper licences under the latest agreement between the British and Spanish governments, the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) in Spain continues to reject these paper licences.
Compounding the problem, British residents in Spain who no longer have a registered address in the United Kingdom are unable to exchange their paper licences for the new biometric ones, according to information from the DVLA provided to the Mallorca Bulletin newspaper.
Frustratingly, the situation is not confined to Mallorca alone, as evidenced by similar reports from traffic departments across Spain.
For those British expatriates in Spain who possess paper licences—licences that remain valid until they expire in the UK and other EU countries—the upcoming deadline on Friday marks a significant turning point. They will no longer be permitted to drive using their UK licences, although they can still drive rental cars.
The Mallorca Bulletin is aware of several cases in Mallorca where expatriates are growing increasingly frustrated, uncertain about how to proceed, as the inability to drive is poised to disrupt their daily lives.
While the British Ambassador has been emphasising the importance of exchanging licences, the fundamental challenge remains for those with paper licences. Unable to make the exchange, their only recourse appears to be taking a Spanish driving test, a prospect easier said than done, especially for older British residents, not to mention the associated costs.
The embassy has been aware of this issue for the past five months, but it has yet to see a resolution. For British residents in Spain, this week represents a critical juncture, with many eagerly awaiting a solution to their driving dilemma.
Source
https://www.majorcadailybulletin.com/news/local/2023/09/11/116855/british-residents-unable-drive-spain-from-friday-licence-exchange-process-still-floored.html
https://24noticias.org/los-residentes-britanicos-no-podran-conducir-en-espana-desde-el-viernes-y-el-proceso-de-intercambio-de-licencias-aun-esta-paralizado/
