Medical / Spanish Driving Licence?

As from 2013 there is supposed to be a new EU wide driving licence anyway.

Yes detailed here

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/behavior/driving_licence_en.htm

My friend went for his medical the same time as I did but did not go to change licence straight away . Now they say medical not valid after 3 months, So if on UK licence how do you get around this without 40 euros every 3 months?

I understand (from Brian Dellor,  author of Motoring in Spain) that the medical cert is valid for three months for the purpose of applying for a Spanish DL but if used with, say with a UK DL, it is valid for the period that the Spanish DL would have been,  had one used the cert to apply for a Spanish DL.  

The period varies from 10 years to 2 depending on one’s age.

my friend now has to get another medical before he can get a Spanish DL , its confusing!!

 Can't help feeling ripped off here, I took the drivers medical in Feb. this year and have just applied through a Gestor to change my UK license for a Spanish one, she rang me last night and said Trafico have returned my documents as my medical certificate is invalid, quoting this 3 month time limit on certificate.So buyer beware! they seem to make it up as they go along, at no time when applying or taking the medical was a time limit mentioned. What a waste of time & money

So for a UK holder it is valid for ages , but for someone changing to a Spanish licence then 3 months. Understand that is the law but is that not unfair for someone who wants to change to Spanish ?

Is the above information still alid in 2016?

I have a UK licence (which I've just renewed so valid 10 years) for a car etc, but I want to do an A2 motobike test in Spain. I've been told I need to change to a Spanish licence first. Is this true? Also I'm 49 so would the Spanish DL only be valid for 5 years. 

Could I keep my UK car licence and just get a Spanish licence for A2 motobike?

SMC  Hi,  As you say you have just renewed your UK DL you must reside in UK (cannot renew if you are not living there)

In which case would it not be easier to take your MC test in UK ?   I believe to apply for a Spanish DL one must be resident in Spain.  I also believe you cannot have 2 DLs as you suggest.

However,  if you are in Spain, albeit not resident here, I suggest you ask a driving school, they should be able to give you accurate  info,

Sensible advice from John. To add to it: The European Commission (EC) Driving Licence Directive 2006/126/EC does not allow drivers to have more than one EU/EEA driving licence. So, if you are resident in Spain, exchange your UK licence (not obligatory but the only sensible thing to do anyway), then take your bike test. It's easy to exchange your licence, and your new Spanish (cat B) one will be valid for 10 years also (it changed recently). Not sure if it's different for A2 though. As John says, ask at an approved driving school, they'll have the best and latest info.

Thanks for replies. 

Perhaps I need to give more info. I have been resident in Spain for 6 years. But have had a UK (Northern Ireland)  address. I was home in July for a few weeks to clear up a few things to sell the UK house and took the opportunity to renew my licence while I still had an address (perhaps a bit naughty). 

As for autoescuelas, I continously get conflicting and incorrect answers from them. Hence coming on here to ask. 

Anyway, this morning I went to Cádiz to change my licence, they completed paperwork, took my original medical, and photocopies of proof of address from the townhall, passport, UK licence and NIE. I was told it would be €27 bur in the end it was €23.50.

They gave me my UK dl back and a reciept for the money. They say they will be in touch when the DVLA in the UK respond with whatever it is they need. 

I asked if in the meantime, I could crack on with doing my A2 test. This caused more confusion, they said my UK licence was valid for 'A'  which is superior to 'A2'. But I think they are wrong. Although my new UK dl was returned with 'A'  entitlement, it has a code 79.03,which I believe is something to do with riding a trike. 

Good old EU, trying to share a currency, want a European army, and can't even harmonise driving licences! 

SMC .................   But have had a UK (Northern Ireland)  address ..................... and took the opportunity to renew my licence while I still had an address

To clarify.

Renewing a UK DL in Britain (N Ireland maybe be different) means the applicant confirms when they sign the application form that they live permanently in UK.

 Just having a UK address is not sufficient. 

Supplying false info is an offence.

https://www.gov.uk/renew-driving-licence

"Supplying false info is an offence." So arrest him. Or perhaps we can let him off with just being "a bit naughty" on this occasion, since he's now changing his licence anyway?

I think the person you spoke to (at Tráfico?) probably just didn't know about the code 79.03 - ask someone else on a different day and you'll get a different answer. This Is Spain. If approved driving schools can't help (once you've got your Spanish licence) I'm out of ideas, sorry.

Like I said, "a bit naughty", but I just want to drive, which I believe I'm qualified and entitled to do, with the least hassle and bureaucracy. 

I was also needing a renewed UK dl to apply for an Irish passport, which may be useful in the future, post Brexit. I hope that's OK with you. 

SMC  

"a bit naughty"  

No ilegal, but as I said in my PM to you, good luck to you.

I was also needing a renewed UK dl to apply for an Irish passport, which may be useful in the future, post Brexit

We are going off thread here but what the h....

I have a Spanish DL and I am resident in Spain.  My mother was born in Ulster, I was born in UK.  I applied for and got an Irish Passport about 18 months ago without any problems. I certainly did not need a DL of any kind to do that.

Thanks Roberto, no firing squad this time, but let that be a warning! 

😀

I was born in Northern Ireland so is straight forward, didn't want to use my British passport for photo ID as I needed it to get back to Spain. 

Johnzx

I note you applied and got your irish passport 18 months ago is that correct