LEGAL ISSUES
LEARNING TO THINK IN A DIFFERENT WAY All my articles relate to various crucial issues and responsibilities for those of us that now reside in Spain or at least have that in contemplation. I once asked my friend, a skilled Maths teacher about his mental processes in dealing with figures – his reply was simply – “I JUST LEARNT TO THINK IN A DIFFERENT WAY” - that comment iillustrates how a substantial change in our mental processes will ease our transition into Spanish life and society. For example, we need to understand and get tuned in to not only the motoring laws in Spain but the way the Police here carry out their duties. How odd it is to have to keep our documents in the car and be asked on demand to produce the same. Failure to produce such documents can result in fines, not to mention worry and inconvenience . In the UK we are free to walk around without any evidence of our own identity - our car registration documents likely being held in an A-Z file in the house – produced as and when required to be taken to the Post Office for the re-taxing of our cars, and then squirrelled back into the file upon our return home! In the UK a Police Officer would be surprised if you were able to produce your documents on demand ! However, Spain is a very large country with a large population and a growing number of immigrants, hence it is not practical for the law to permit production of documentation within 7 days of being stopped by the Police. If you are especially concerned to have your original documents in the car, then have notarised copies of the originals instead – anyone who would like to do this and does not know how to go about it, please contact me and I will assist with that procedure. Please take special note that such service is NOT provided by the Police themselves or the local authority ! A justifiable issue so far as driving in Spain is concerned is that we have valid insurance cover for the particular vehicle we drive . If the vehicle has only one insured driver, then nobody else is insured to drive that car ! It is very easy to add an additional driver onto a policy for a small charge – attention to that can prevent not just financial expense and worry in event of an accident , but a prosecution in the Spanish Courts !! For those that have come to Spain from the UK with 90 days European cover – make a note in your diary when that 90 days expires – if you have an accident afterwards your insurance company may well not meet your claim. Even if an insurance company affords full 12 months European cover, make sure they are aware you are resident in Spain – a material fact they could rely on to avoid paying up !! I can personally recommend a reputable UK insurance company with very competitive premiums, who will insure you on English or Spanish plates !! Following on with the issue of registration of your vehicle in Spain – the general rule is that the law here permits you to drive your car on English plates for 6 months in a 12 month period , following which you should undergo the process of registration in this country, including obtaining an ITV test on your vehicle and payment of the pertinent taxes. Chinese whispers say production of flight/ferry tickets indicating recent arrival in Spain can sidestep the law – well you can risk it for a biscuit but at the end of the day if you are stopped by the Police it is them you have to satisfy that you are driving legally. This area is quite complex and the process takes account of, but not exclusively, issues such as age, medicals, type of vehicle, PAGE 38
particular area of residence, so on and so forth. Certainly an area where it is essential to have correct advice from someone who is experienced. Well all that gives the brain a lot to think about – but LEARNING TO THINK IN A DIFFERENT WAY means that you ask questions, obtain information, become informed, understand and IN CONTROL For any queries regarding this topic or any other legal matters, do not hesitate to contact me for an informal discussion on 634 053 976 or email me at shirleyfisherlegalservices@gmail.com. Shirley Ann Fisher, Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives & Commissioner of Oaths, Camposol Business Centre, Calle Madrid Sector A, Camposol, Mazarron, Murcia 30870 Tel. No. 968 103 008.
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June 2009
June 2009
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