Bying scooter and taking test

Has anyone bought a Spanish scooter/motor bike and is riding it legally?

I have a UK driving licence for a car and motor bike and want to buy a scooter/motorbike here in Spain. I don't really want to give up my UK licence by transferring it to a Spanish licence but I may have too, then it needs to be renewed every few years therafter. I am thinking of just taking the Spanish motorcycle test itself. I know it is in two parts and the theory in Spanish but is anyone riding a Spanish scooter/motorbike legally over here with a UK licence or has done the Spanish test?

Hi Londoneye,

I will double check for you but, my other half enquired about the same thing and was told that there is no theory test in Spain and if you have a full car license then the bike test is very simple and can be taken locally. I will try and find out more info and let you know.

Surely if you have a UK motorbike licence then this covers you for a Spanish scooter too?

Yes the UK licence does cover you but for how long? There is a lot of different interpretations to the rules/laws on driving with a UK licence especially when you are driving a Spanish reg. vehicle and you don't want to land up in the clincker for getting it wrong even if you are right!!

If you are a Spanish resident which you automatically are when you have been in Spain for more than so many days whether you are registered or not. You need to exchange or get your UK licence stamped or something like that. I have done some research on the ineternet but would love to here from someone who has bought a scooter/motorbike and also holds a valid/lawful licence to ride it that isacceptable to every Spanish police officer!

Londoneye,

You don´t need a Spanish licence to drive in Spain, whether resident or not.  You can use your UK licence as long as it is the newer EU style card licence.  There´s no need to get it stamped or changed to a Spanish one.

Myra, from the Costa Advice Bureau confirmed this in the following thread:

http://www.eyeonspain.com/forums/posts-long-6420p1onddk-.htm

David

Hi All,

Well just established if you have full UK car license you are eligable to ride upto 650cc om that licence in Spain. if you want to have a higher CC then you have to take a bike test which dooes not include  theory.

This is what we were told from a reliable source!!

Thanks for that. I can see how even the simplest request for info. can get confusing. That's all I want is to be a law abiding Spanish citizen. Is that too much to ask!