I am not resident in Spain but visit frequently and therefore keep a Spanish registered car over here. Although I have always understood that the UK/EU driving licence is valid in Spain, I have heard of 2 instances recently where non-residents have been stopped by Traffico and told the law has changed and if you are driving a Spanish registered vehicle you need to have a Spanish driving licence. In one instance a 90? on the spot fine was imposed, but as usual the person concerned did not ask for a receipt or a copy of the penalty notice. Can anyone confirm if the law has been changed?

kanders - 17 April 2010 06:15 PM

I am not resident in Spain but visit frequently and therefore keep a Spanish registered car over here. Although I have always understood that the UK/EU driving licence is valid in Spain, I have heard of 2 instances recently where non-residents have been stopped by Traffico and told the law has changed and if you are driving a Spanish registered vehicle you need to have a Spanish driving licence. In one instance a 90? on the spot fine was imposed, but as usual the person concerned did not ask for a receipt or a copy of the penalty notice. Can anyone confirm if the law has been changed?

// yawn //

Please search the Forum’s threads, this subject has been covered more times than Volcanic Ash of late..
DSB.

The short answer is no - Spain cannot change it - it is now EU law. But of course Guardias interpretation is always a problem. If non residents are fined they should be able to claim it back- but of course they need a receipt.

see here

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-spain/cars

There is no EU law covering license, it is guidelines and can be used or changed with the EU’s approval, in 2012 the new model license comes into effect harmonizing all EU countries.

All EU members are allowed to implement its own laws, take the points system the UK you have none and gain as you get caught, the Spanish give you points and deduct as you get caught.

You can appeal against any enforcement by the Guardia that have not followed Spanish law.

Article 1

1. Member States shall introduce a national driving licence based on the Community model described in Annex I, in accordance with the provisions of this Directive.

2. Driving licences issued by Member States shall be mutually recognized.

3. Where the holder of a valid national driving licence takes up normal residence in a Member State other than that which issued the licence, the host Member State may apply to the holder of the licences its national rules on the period of validity of the licences, medical checks and tax arrangements and may enter on the licence any information indispensable for administration.

Article 8

1. Where the holder of a valid national driving licence issued by a Member State has taken up normal residence in another Member State, he may request that his driving licence be exchanged for an equivalent licence; it shall be for the Member State effecting the exchange to check, if necessary, whether the licence submitted is in fact still valid.

2. Subject to observance of the principle of territoriality of criminal and police laws, the Member States of normal residence may apply its national provisions on the restriction, suspension, withdrawal or cancellation of the right to drive to the holder of a driving licence issued by another Member State and, if necessary, exchange the licence for that purpose.

3. The Member State effecting the exchange shall return the old licence to the authorities of the Member State which issued it and give the reasons for so doing.

4. A Member State may refuse to recognize the validity of any driving licence issued by another Member State to a person who is, in the former State’s territory, the subject of one of the measures referred to in paragraph 2.

Copied from the jargon found here.

http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexapi!prod!CELEXnumdoc&lg=EN&numdoc=31991L0439&model=guichett

You will not be allowed by law to have a Spanish address on your UK Driving Licence. You can continue to use any EU photo licence even when you become resident in another EU state.  Because it is a UK not Spanish licence.

[size=3]Hi I?m new to this site but thought I?d let you know of my experience.
I have been a resident in spain for almost 4 years, 3 week ago I was randomly stopped by the guardia in Los Alcazares. My spanish car papers were all up to date, however, I was fined 500 euros for driving on an EU licence, They wrote on my fine that I had an invalid licence ( not an EU licence ). They said I needed to change to a spanish licence and have medical at 5 year intervals.
My eu licence was valid from 2007-2017 so technically I was not due a medical till 2012. Does anyone know if this is correct?
I am getting conflicting advise from various people. The guardia has said a new law has just come in over the last few months but I cannot find this law on the traffico web site,
If anyone can give me some advise I would be grateful

I stick by my previous post any VALID (ie in date, you are not banned etc) EU issued photo type (ie not old green sheet type) is legal in Spain

http://ukinspain.fco.gov.uk/en/help-for-british-nationals/living-in-spain/cars

but if you are resident and planning to remain so why not change to a Spanish licence and save any potential aggravation?
You do also need the health check certificate.