Latest Update Information on British Driving Licenses in Spain

British residents in Spain may soon be able to drive again.

It’s the hot topic of the Summer for the British community in Spain, when is Spain going to allow UK residents who initially failed to exchange their UK driving licences for a Spanish one a break so they can do so as soon as possible and get back on the roads.

A deal was supposed to be reached by the end of last month, but it was not, and as we enter August, the Spanish are likely to postpone it until September, though progress appears to have been made.

As we enter August, Minister Karl McCartney, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport (the UK Government Department leading on driving licence negotiations), provides a message of reassurance to let those of you who are affected by the ongoing negotiations know that the Department recognizes your frustrations and the impact this is having on you, and that they remain committed to getting y His entire message is included below.

A message from Minister Karl McCartney, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport.

“Working with the British Embassy in Spain and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Department for Transport has been negotiating with the Spanish Government regarding the exchange of UK driving licences.

Our goal is to secure a deal that allows UK license holders living in Spain to exchange their license for a Spanish one without having to take a practical test, allowing them to get back on the road as soon as possible.

The UK Government has engaged in these negotiations in good faith and ensured that Spanish drivers in the UK have, as always, encountered no limitations nor inconvenience in their ability to drive.

We have similar arrangements in place with 24 other EU Member States, but negotiations with Spain have become more complicated due to Spain requiring additional elements in relation to driving licence exchange arrangements that no one else has requested. Nonetheless, we are working diligently to complete negotiations with the Spanish government.

We understand that some British citizens are currently unable to drive while we negotiate with the Spanish.

We would like to reiterate to those affected that we understand your frustration and are aware of the significant impact on your daily lives.

The Department of Transport’s negotiation team is still thinking about you, and we want to get you back on the road as soon as possible.

The British Embassy in Spain will keep you updated on the status of the negotiations.”