Staff Reporter
EU driving licences are the topic of much debate for expats driving in Spain.
The need to renew or change licence can be confusing, but here are some tips:
WHO NEEDS TO RENEW?
The latest EU Directive 2006/126/CE states that holders of EU driving licenses that have expired or are about to expire need to renew their licence.
Holders of EU driving licences that are valid indefinitely or for more than 15 years for Group 1 (AM, A1, A2, A, B & BE) or valid for five years or more for Group 2 (BTP, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D, DE) need to renew their licence providing they have been legally resident in Spain for twp years since January 19, 2013.
TWO EXAMPLES
EU license holders that are valid indefinitely or for more than 15 years, who are legally resident in Spain before or up to January 19 2013, should renew their driving licence.
EU license holders that are valid indefinitely or for more than 15 years, who are legally resident in Spain since June 6, 2014, should renew their driving license from June 6, 2016.
HOW TO RENEW
This can be done in the local office of the Spanish Traffic Department, by calling 060 and making an appointment, or online at www.dgt.es
DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED
- Official application form (available from www.dgt.es)
- Proof of identity and residency
- EU driving license. Original and a photocopy
- Results from psychometric aptitude tests from recognised and authorised centre
- A recent photograph 32mm x 26mm
For more info contact Línea Directa 902 123 282, or visit www.lineadirecta.com
Please translate into Spanish and circulate to Trafico offices as on any given day they don’t know what the rules are, better still why doesn’t the EU say if you are resident in a EU country you have to change your licence nice and simple rather than if you have an indefinite one or it runs out for a certain class etc.