According to the report issued by the DGT from today 19th January 2015 if you are a legal resident in Spain and you do not have a Spanish driving licence you could be liable for a fine of up to 200€.
There is always speculation and different opinions surrounding this matter, over the years we have seen and heard many different stories ranging from, “you need to change your licence immediately after becoming a resident”, “my European licence is valid all over Europe” to “my licence is valid forever regardless of what the Spanish authorities say”.
The report states that you must renew your driving licence if you:
- Are from the European Union
- Drive using a licence from your own country
- Are a legal resident of Spain
- Obtained your Spanish residency on or before the 19th of January 2013
- Hold a driving licence which never expires
- Hold a driving licence which expires in 15 years or more for Group 1 (AM, A1, A2, A, B Y BE)
- Hold a driving licence that expires in 5 years or more for Group 2 (BTP, C1, C1E, C, CE D1, D1E, D, DE)
- Hold a driving licence which has already expired or is close to its expiry date
One of the conditions of holding a UK licence is that the address it is registered to is your PERMANENT place of residence, if you are living in Spain and using a family address then you are falsifying information to obtain this licence.
If you have any questions or need assistance changing your licence please contact us now.
Source: www.revista.DGT.es/noticias