Driving licence validity.

[El Gordo]

I have just been reading the UK in Spain site, the site associated with the British Consulate in Mallorca.

I quote the section on Driving licences below

Driving licences
Driving licences issued from 1990, and the photocard licence issued from 1997 are accepted in Spain. However, the minimum age required to drive is 18 years.

Licences issued before 1990 are only accepted if accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (available from the Spanish Embassy in London and the Real Automóvil Club de España if the licence holder is already in Spain). Holders of these may prefer to use an International Licence issued anywhere outside Spain.

The licence holder may retain their British licence (if issued after 1990) or exchange it for a Spanish one, subject to the same medical examinations as Spanish nationals.

It is advisable to exchange UK licences for Spanish ones, which are also valid for visits to the UK. The DVLA will not put a non-British address on a replacement licence, or send one out of the country. Therefore, if a British licence is only registered with Spanish authorities and is lost or stolen, a replacement cannot be obtained from the UK, and Spanish authorities will not be able to replace one they did not issue. For more information, please contact the Jefatura Provincial de Trafico in your area.

I now doubt the legality of my Driving licence for driving in Spain as it was issued in 1977! I have been resisting applying for a new two part licence because of 1) the cost, 2) the need to renew regularly.

Does this apply to visitors or is it directed at residents?

Does anyone have any advice on this.

I've been driving in Mallorca for more than 15 years!!!

I would hate to fall fowl of the law if stopped!!

 

[El Gordo]

Hmm

I guess no one knows!!!

 

[Sparky]

Hi GL, i don't know but would imagine it would apply to visitors and residents.

 

[El Gordo]

Thanks Sparky

I guess I should bite the bullit and update my licence. But a little aprehensive because of the recent problems with the DVLC highlighted on Watchdog!!!

Maybe the International Driving licence would be a better bet or Translation??

 

[Disorderly]

I used a really tatty awful pink driving licence from gawd knows when until last year, when I renewed my passport and the same photograph can be copied across to your driving licence - so I upgraded that too.

Up until then I had no problems with the old licence (other than the embarrasement of the state of it!).

 

[its cd]

So far this year I have hired 2 cars with my old tatty driving licence and not had any problem

 

[El Gordo]

Thanks everybody.

However, although I have had no problems with hire firms using my licence for the pat 16 or 17 years in Mallorca, I have never been required to show my licence to the police (touch wood!!).
This is why I'm asking the question.

I've since looked on the AA site where it states that you should have no problems with any UK licence however it does no harm to have an Int. Driving Permit!!

 

[Sparky]

Glad you got the answer to your question Gordon.