START YOUR ENGINES!

SPAIN’S government has finally announced that UK licence holders in the country will be able to exchange their driving licence for a Spanish one without taking an exam from Thursday, March 16.

The period to allow Brits already living in Spain to do this will be six months. Anyone moving to the country after March 16 will also be given six months.

Announced by the Council of Ministers on Tuesday, March 14, the news puts an end to travel misery for thousands of expats left in limbo after the Spanish government abruptly brought extensions allowing anyone who hadn’t exchanged their licence before December 31, 2020 to continue using their UK licence to an end last May.

Brits will now be able to ‘canjear’ (exchange) their UK licence with the DGT for a Spanish one. Existing category permissions (for example, ability to drive heavy goods vehicles or motorbikes) will also be honoured.

Spanish living in the UK will similarly be able to exchange their licences under the agreement.

The government’s statement said: “The Council of Ministers has approved this Tuesday the agreement by which Spain and the United Kingdom will offer reciprocal recognition and exchange of driving licences as well as the exchange of information on traffic offences.”

The news means existing traffic offence information will also be exchanged between the two countries.

Those wishing to exchange their licence can now contact the DGT directly to arrange an appointment to do so.

They will first need to check they have their relevant paperwork in order, including proof of residency, and take a short ‘psycho­physical’ test. This includes basic health tests (including eyesight, blood pressure) a psychological test and a mobility test.