Driving Licence Exchange: Updated ruling effective today. Not good news!

eduardo3332 wrote on Fri Apr 9, 2021 11:22am:

Hi Gem,

Maybe I am wrong but I believed you could have exchange you driving licence before you had residence?

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If you were living here for more than six months and had your Padron as proof of residence this would have sufficed, plus passport and other necessary documents, for the exchange.

Gem wrote on Fri Apr 9, 2021 11:36am:

Hi Eduardo

That may or not have been the case, but irrelevant as now history.

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I followed the rules that were (and still are) posted on the Gov UK (Living in Spain) website, which states that Spain/UK had agreed that those who registered to exchange prior to 30 Dec, 2020 had until 30 June 2021 to arrange an appointment to commence the exchange. 

At my appointment yesterday, I, along with several other Brits, was advised that the requirement had changed and only those who had their Resedencia approved prior to 30 December 2020 could now exchange. 

As has been previously posted, both countries still in dialogue.

I got an email alert from the UK Gov website today, stating that the advise page had been updated. I've had a look and don't see any change to the advice given previously.

eduardo3332 wrote on Fri Apr 9, 2021 12:08pm:

Hi Gem

Yes maybe it is history as you say, but my point was people could have exchanged their licence before. 

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You state you registered with the DGT, on the 26th November,did that mean you had completed the application for an exchange licence? if so,    may I ask why, you did not just follow through and obtain the licence?

Gem wrote on Fri Apr 9, 2021 12:54pm:

I simply followed the advice provided by the UK Gov website as per below.

It clearly states you require either a TIE or green EU resedencia certificate, hence the reason I waited until I received my TIE.

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My Gestor submitted my driving licence details to the DGT on 26 November and we waited for approval of TIE in order to comply with the advice/instructions provided.

According to the Traffico office, they changed requirement as of yesterday, which is why I posted on the forum.

From the Gov UK, Living in Spain website
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.

eduardo3332 wrote on Fri Apr 9, 2021 1:23pm:

I made a mistake by using Liberty Insurance to exchange my licence (because I was lazy) and when I had my medical I paid extra to ensure I kept all of my uk entitlements, 

When I received my licence it did not have the facility to drive a mini bus, something I required for volunteer work I do, There reply was they did not know the law....

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That being said previously your NIE and Padron would prove as proof residence.

I hope you do not have to take the driving test, as unfortunately, if you are not competent in the Spanish language this can be quite a task.

Sometimes the advice we are given is not always correct.