Spain’s government approves the agreement with the UK on the recognition and exchange of driving licences from 16 March: {Translation in full}
– On Tuesday, the government approved the agreement with the United Kingdom for the reciprocal recognition and exchange of driving licences and the exchange of information on traffic offences in the field of road safety now that the country is no longer part of the EU.
– As explained by Moncloa, the agreement puts an end to the successive extensions for the exchange of licences that have been in place since the end of the transitional period provided for in the UK’s withdrawal agreement from the European Union.
– From now on, holders of a valid and current driving licence issued by either country will be able to apply for the exchange of their equivalent driving licence where they have taken up residence, without being subject to any additional practical or theoretical test requirements and in accordance with the equivalence tables between the licence categories of both countries.
– In this regard, it is foreseen that all valid licences or licences of current residents issued prior to its entry into force can be exchanged, while for licences issued after its entry into force, it will be a prerequisite that the licences were issued in the country where the applicant had his legal residence.
– Thanks to this agreement, British residents in Spain who had not had their driving licence recognised before Brexit, nor in the successive extensions granted, will be able to do so from Thursday 16 March.
– According to the Government, in order to facilitate the administrative process at the provincial traffic police stations, a period of six months has been granted during which British citizens can drive around Spain with their original licence while they process the exchange.
– In addition, Spain and the UK undertake to provide each other with information on the details of vehicles and their owners for the purposes of investigating traffic offences related to road safety, especially in cases of speeding, not wearing a seat belt, failing to stop at a red light, driving under the influence of alcohol, driving under the influence of drugs, not wearing a crash helmet, driving in a forbidden lane or illegal use of mobile phones. Source, Spanish: https://www.europapress.es/eseuropa/noticia-ue-gobierno-aprueba-acuerdo-reino-unido-reconocimiento-canje-permisos-conducir-20230314172618.html