Driving a spanish car on uk licence

 Hi you are advised to have one and your licence  is translated , it did not cost much and only takes 5 mins to get it just take a passport with you for ID just saves any problems  Irene

 Well, with all the differing answers and comments on here, I consulted a solicitor and received the following:

Non resident EU citizens can drive freely in Spain using their European license for a period of six non-consecutive months in any given year without any further procedure.  After the maximum six months period they will have to register their driving license at the corresponding Traffic Authority.   

Residents can continue driving with their registered European license until it expires.  (my bold)

Close to the expiry day there are two different possibilities regarding how to proceed.  They can apply for a Spanish driving license at their nearest Jefatura Local de Traffico  or it is possible to renew their European license by presenting it at the Embassy or Consulate.  (Again, my bold).

Anyone tried the last bit? Especially as you wouldn't have a UK address?

It also says that non EU residents must apply for a Spanish driving license within one year of taking out residency.  Anyone from outside the EEA must take another driving test.

After the six month period they will probably no longer be non-resident, at least not officially, so the first bit is a little redundant anyway. The second bit is clearly rubbish, as you cannot renew a UK licence without a UK address, and secondly I am absolutely certain that driving licence renewals are not part of an embassy's or consulate's remit. You can't even renew a passport through one anymore. Hope you didn't pay the solicitor for that info!

 Pay them?  No chance.  It's all contained in a little booklet  they sent me free of charge.  It's also the booklet they send to everyone.  Agreed, the last lot is rubbish.  However, it was the driving on a UK license until it expires that intrigued me.

My understanding is that a valid photo licence issued in the UK is theoretically acceptable as long as you also comply with the medical requirements of a Spanish licence holder.

 Ah, you see, they missed that bit out.  They simply say you only have to change when it comes up to expiry.  They do say you need a medical when getting a Spanish license but nothing about a medical when you continue to drive on your UK license.  So if even the lawyers seem to be getting it wrong, what chance do the rest of us have?

None. If you're resident in Spain and expect to be for a while to come, get a Spanish licence. Saves a lot of ambiguity and potential trouble. It's easy enough to get a UK one again if you ever go back.

We are non resident but have an apartment in Spain. We visit Spain about six times a year the longest visit being around. 24days. We own a Spanish registered car. We have an NIE number and pay La Renta. We are from the UK and therefore hold a UK driving license. We have been stopped by the Police and told we have to get a Spanish driving license. Can anyone tell me if this is true?. When I try to research this it mostly refers to Residents and I am having difficulty finding a legal document which I could carry with me which relates to the fact that although I have an NIE number I am not resident therefore my UK driving license is valid as a visitor. Can anyone help? 

This was an answer given earlier which I believe to be correct.

"Non resident EU citizens can drive freely in Spain using their European license for a period of six non-consecutive months in any given year without any further procedure.  After the maximum six months period they will have to register their driving license at the corresponding Traffic Authority."

Presuming you have do not stay in Spain for over 183 days in total  in a year you are not resident therefore will not need to change your licence.

You say you have been stopped by the police, I assume that you have been stopped once? Maybe the officer has mis-interpreted the law.

This has been covered several times.

For people visiting as you Janmet, or holidaymakers renting a car, there is no problem,  they can drive on a UK DL.  Remember you must always have the original DL and your original Passport (that is your only legal ID)   with you when driving.

Some while ago when this was being discussed here I went to the Guardia Civil to ask. I did not agree with what the officer on the desk said, so he called Trafico and put me on the phone. They said a person visiting could drive a Spanish Reg car.

Jarvi.  I think it has been established that a UK national,  resident in Spain,  can drive on a UK  DL which is marked as an ‘EU licence,’   they do not need to exchange it for a Spanish one.  When  a new law on the validity of non Spanish DLs  came into effect there was an error in the interpretation which caused confusion, but was put right quickly.

Any official document that has your photo such as a DL can be accepted as an official ID

I have used at least 4 different ID cards when using a card for payment 

Also my DL has been accepted at least twice when I have been randomly stopped by GC in my car they never asked for my passport

Again nothing is as black and white as some state on here 

It is possible that some places/people accept your driving license as a form of identification because it has a photo, more likely if you are driving but it is important to remember that the ONLY official ID in Spain for a Brit is your passport. However I have mostly managed to get by with my DL unless it is for something very official, ie opening a bank account, notary etc. There is no need anymore for ID with card payments. So if you don't want to run any risks keep your passport on you. The police have a right to ask for it, if they don't you can consider them 'flexible' not necessarily law abiding. So it depends.

Some places still request ID when paying by card this happened to me this week on a large purchase

Depends where you go. Our Lidl had a sign saying passport only would be accepted for ID and refused one woman with a DL. Most other shops accept a DL but the banks insist on a passport. Still, back to the question on changing the DL as a non resident. Either a mistake in translation or a policeman who didn't know what he was talking about. As you aren't allowed to have two EU DL then what would you be supposed to do going back to UK?

Silly.

"I am having difficulty finding a legal document which I could carry with me which relates to the fact that although I have an NIE number I am not resident "

Do you have an NIE certificate? If not, go back to the police station or wherever you applied for your NIE and request one. You may need to fill out the form again, and in section 4 check "Certificado" and "de no residente" 

English version of form here

"Any official document that has your photo such as a DL can be accepted as an official ID" 

Should read "may be accepted". But don't count on it. As Ian says, "the ONLY official ID in Spain for a Brit is your passport"

Janmet.        ............I am having difficulty finding a legal document which I could carry with me which relates to the fact that although I have an NIE number I am not resident .......

  I believe the police can check on the spot if the NIE which you have relates to resident or non resident status.  If that is so then you do not need to carry a document which proves your status.

Next week when I am next at the comisaria (National Police Station) I will ask and post what I learn.

I'm sure the police can do a lot of things that they are either are unaware of or simply can't be bothered to. Telling them their jobs when stopped at the roadside is never likely to produce particularly positive results. Politely handing over relevant documentation that is indisputable is probably a better approach.

Just my humble opinion 

Janmet.  

 I have spoken to the police as I said I would.   They confirm when they make an on the spot check on the NIE of the driver and or owner of a vehicle they can see if that person is registered on the EU Citizens Register (i.e if they are resident or not).

They also confirmed:   The legal ID for a UK national is their orignal passport, although  usually (as we all know) depending on the circumstances,  they will said they would accept say a DL, which of course anyway you must have in your possession when driving

As for non official situations,  almost anything might be accepted as ID as often the poeple we are dealing with, unlike the police,courts, notaries, banks etc.,  have no idea.on the subject