Brexit: UK-Issued Driving Licences No Longer Valid

British nationals living in Spain will be hit with a driving ban after the two nations failed to reach a post-Brexit agreement on UK driving licences.

The British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott, announced that starting from 1 May 2022, all British citizens who have been residing in Spain for over six months will no longer be permitted to drive with their UK-issued driving licences.

The UK and Spanish Ministers have been trying to reach a consensus over the mutual exchange of driving licences for some time now. The Spanish authorities extended the period of validity of the UK driving licences for the fourth time in February and was set to end on 30 April.

Through a video that has been shared on social media, the British Ambassador to Spain said that the UK and Spanish governments are still negotiating and have agreed to accelerate talks in the hope of reaching an agreement as soon as possible.

What Is Next For British Drivers

The British Ambassador has explained that since the two countries have failed to reach an agreement in time, British nationals who have been residing in Spain for more than six months will no longer be able to drive with their driving licence that has been issued in the UK.

“What does this mean for you? It means that if you have been resident in Spain for longer than six months, your UK-issued licence will no longer be valid to drive here from May 1,”
British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott

However, it has been emphasised that this does not affect UK licence holders who have just recently arrived in Spain.

Those who have arrived in Spain recently have six months time from the moment they were granted Spanish residency to take the driving test in order to obtain a Spanish driving licence.

In addition, the Ambassador highlighted that the change also does not affect visiting motorists from the UK or Gibraltar.

The Ambassador has advised everyone affected by this change to apply for a Spanish driving licence immediately. He said there is no need to wait for the outcome of the negotiations.

“Driving a vehicle without a valid licence is illegal in Spain. If you are affected by this change and need to drive, you should not wait for the outcome of the negotiations and should take immediate steps to apply for a Spanish licence – as we have been advising for some time now,”
British Ambassador to Spain, Hugh Elliott

Until a deal is struck, UK nationals living in Spain will need to obtain a Spanish driving licence before getting back on the road.

Are you affected by this change? Talk to us in the comment section below.

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