The British government continue to negotiate with Spain over the validity of British driving licences and eventhough talks have been ongoing for more than six months there is still no accord. At the moment, Spain does not recognise British driving licences for residents leaving many UK residents pondering whether to retake their driving test in Spain.
The British Embassy issued the following statement:
We wanted to let you know some of what has been happening since the Ambassador’s last video message. Teams on the UK and Spanish side continue to negotiate to try to reach agreement on the final points in the annexes. The UK’s Minister for Europe was in Spain today (Friday) and raised the driving licence issue with his counterpart in an attempt to get the outstanding points over the line; stressing again the huge impact that the inability to drive is having on people.
As the ambassador said in his last message, we do not underestimate the difficulties some people are facing. There is only so much that is within the gift of the UK government, but we can only assure you that we continue to push to conclude the negotiations as soon as possible, and that case studies of how this is affecting you have been shared with the Spanish Government. Thank you for your patience."
But British residents in Spain are not impressed and have taken to social media to vent their frustration.
5 comments
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Just finished watching a TV programme, in which an eastern European driver was nabbed driving without insurance. Guy also didnt have a UK licence, even though he'd lived here for 5 years. Rightly he was charged with no licence as well as no insurance and car was seized. Whats the difference between that and people living in Europe who've not got a licence for the country they now live in ???
Morgan WilliamsBecause the British feel a bit 'special', the majority voted for Brexit but many won't accept the consequences. They had chances to sort out the driving licences, it's gone, and now because of they feel they are 'special', they want special arrangement. This is a never ending subject, with the Ambassador stated in the summer, it would soon "be resolved". Still isn't.
Lord VoldermortWhen you move to another country, it's expected (by normal people) that you'll have a lot of things to sort. Including driving licence. For example, if I moved to California as a permanent resident, I'd fully expect that my Spanish licence wouldn't be legal after some period of time (a "grace period"). I don't know the protocol in California, but I'd go there in full expectation that I'd have to take a driving test to get a California licence. This wouldn't be unusual at all. This whole thing is laughable. If you want to (legally) live and drive in Spain, this is one of the things you'll need to do. Get over it. Why is it that Brits are the only ones screaming?
Why are we still banging this drum. Every sympathy for those that have arrived post Brexit. However those in Spain prior to Brexit had ample opportunity to get their licenses changed but couldn’t be bothered to get their heads out of their arses and get it sorted. Or is because they wanted to remain “under the radar”.
*sigh*