UK in Talks With Spain for Recognition of British Driving Licenses

The British authorities are negotiating with Spanish officials on the recognition of United Kingdom-issued driving licenses so that UK nationals holding such licenses can again drive in the UK without the need for a practical test to obtain a Spanish license.

According to a statement of Minister Karl McCartney, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, the British Embassy in Spain and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, together with the Department for Transport, have been negotiating with the Spanish authorities regarding the exchange of the UK driving licenses.

“Our aim is to secure a deal that allows UK licence holders resident in Spain to exchange their licence for a Spanish one without the need for a practical test, so they can return to the roads as soon as possible,” the statement reads.

The Minister also claims that the UK Government has engaged in these negotiations, pointing out that Spanish drivers in the UK have encountered no limitations nor inconvenience in their ability to drive, in spite of Spain’s move to limit the use of UK-issued driving licenses.

Since May 1, 2022, British citizens residing in Spain are no longer permitted to drive with their UK driving licenses due to Brexit.

While the UK was part of the European Union, British drivers could drive throughout the whole bloc, as all Member States recognized their driving licenses. However, due to Brexit, several other EU countries, including here Spain, no longer recognize the British licenses.

In a statement published on the official Facebook page of the British embassy in Spain, called “Brits in Spain”, Minister McCartney claims that the UK has reached arrangements for the recognition of British licenses with 24 other EU Member States already, but negotiations with Spain have been a bit more complicated.

Minister McCartney claims that Spain has been requiring additional elements which no one else has asked for in relation to driving license exchange arrangements.

“We understand that some UK Nationals are currently unable to drive whilst we are negotiating with the Spanish. To those affected, we would reiterate that we understand your frustration, and we are aware of the severe impact on your everyday lives,” the Minister says, assuring these drivers that they are doing everything possible to resolve this problem.

In the last week of July, British and Spanish officials have continued intensive talks, which have resulted in a productive meeting held on July 29. While there remains some outstanding work to be done to agree on the annexes of the agreement between both countries, the UK authorities explain that once the agreement is finalized, the same will be published in the Spanish gazette.

From that day on, British citizens living in Spain will have a period of six months to exchange their British driving license with one issued by the authorities of Spain without having to take a test. Those whose driving licenses have recently expired will also be eligible to exchange them for a Spanish one.

Source: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com/news/uk-in-talks-with-spain-for-recognition-of-british-driving-licenses/