Saturday, 30 March 2013

SPAIN AND THE LAW ON? EUROPEAN DRIVING LICENCES



Why do we not all come clean and say “what the heck is going on” I for one will no longer accept, without question the information coming from the various authorities and departments.  Read the last ruling and decrees in the BOE (State bulletin) and you, along with me and the departments who are there to ensure the law is approved and adhered to, and you will be as confused as the rest of us.

So, do we change our European licences once we become residents?  Do we stick to what we believe to be the European ruling, stating that we can legally drive in Spain on any European licence?  Do we look at Spain’s internal decrees and become even more confused?  Maybe we can listen to the differing advice from the traffic police.  One recently presented a traffic ticket to an expat for not carrying a medical certificate with his licence.  Should we now drive with an outdated medical certificate?  (Please disregard this advice.  These medical certificates can only be issued for up to three months for non Spanish permits).  We can also take advice from the numerous expatriate barstool legal experts, or we can choose to read a plethora of contradictory information in several of our local newspapers.  We could pay a visit to Trafico and accept that we can register our licence with them, (looks like the safest bet at present.  At least we can put the blame on them if faced with a hefty fine)

I revisited an office of a well established gestor of vehicles, to see if they could shed any light on this controversial matter.  They too had been in a quandary over the issue.  They asked the College of Gestores for advice and confirmation on the law relating to the use of European permits.  Below is the relevant part of the written response they received.  

We consulted with the department of traffic several times over this issue.  There is an internal regulation but it is not in writing”.  The communication then follows to say:

That if a foreigner has been living in Spain for two years or more, it is mandatory that they redeem these permits and acquire the Spanish version.

It is also mandatory to redeem permits which are valid indefinitely

For expired permits it is also obligatory to make the change.
Read the above as you will.  To me the three points could have been made in one sentence.  (If you have been a resident in Spain for two years or more, you should change your licence for the Spanish version).

Until this is formally verified with the date and number of the relevant decree, we can say that we are none the wiser.  For those who wish to continue using their European licence (after all why call it such, if it is not valid in Europe).  Be prepared to take the matter up with your European MP, if you wish to argue this case if penalised on the highway. 
  
For once, I am not arguing with the authorities.  I take to my vehicle, content in the knowledge, that in my possession, I have a Spanish driving licence.


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