new driving licence needed for spain?

[TobyQuest]

Just saw this article which implies the UK driving licence may not be valid in spain.
Anyone know more about this?

MSN

 

[Just smiffy]

It is if you are an expat and live in Spain…

 

[TerryL]

I always get an International Driving Permit whenever I venture into Spain. For just under £6 it's worth it to save any hassle, although I've never been asked for it.

But the article refers to ex-pats living there, not visitors. I wonder if an IDP would cover them? No mention.

 

[jumartoo]

It's ONLY for British Spanish residents.

 

[TobyQuest]

ah ok phew, that makes more sense now then.
Me too I usually get the international driving permit. Last year I paid £6 again thinking it was an annual thing and later realised its valid for around 3-5 years. doh! lol

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[jumartoo]

ah ok phew, that makes more sense now then.
Me too I usually get the international driving permit. Last year I paid £6 again thinking it was an annual thing and later realised its valid for around 3-5 years. doh! lol

That's only needed if you still only have the old paper licence.

Anyone with a "modern" plastic photo licence, doesn't need one.

 

[Just smiffy]

Don’t forget the breathalyser kit…..

 

[JD Hogg]

Don’t forget the breathalyser kit…..

.......france only, so if you come over on the boat then not needed.

IDP not needed, UK driving licenses are fully recognised in Spain for anyone that doesn't live in Spain. An IDP will just confuse any copper that is under 40 years old.

There was a requirement to carry emergency V16 lighting (flashing beacons ) that was "recommended" currently and soon to be compulsory. Its to replace the yellow triangle, they worked out that people were dying just placing triangles down the road, so this is a beacon that you stick on top of the car "Starskey and Hutch" style. By the end of 2024, warning triangles will not be allowed. If you are going to get one, be aware that from 2026 they will also have to be ones that connect direct to the "cloud" so that the Spanish driving authorities can find you if you set yours off ! We bought 2 of them, i can hardly get on the roof of the MH so we have one for the front and one for the back, which we have to get out of the MH to place so defeats the whole object of using them.

See https://www.barcelona-y-daytrips.com/carrying-v16-emergency-light-is-mandatory-in-spain/

 

[vzac]

That's only needed if you still only have the old paper licence.

Anyone with a "modern" plastic photo licence, doesn't need one.

Unless you go to Montana, USA you need an international one there, luckily I had one. And there are to international licences, different countries require different versions

 

[Emmit]

Far be it for me to criticise (cos I love the programme) but I saw a snatch of "We've bought a village" in TV the other evening and the couple who have already renovated one hamlet and have started to bring another back to life (this is in Italy and they do live there) , had a scene where they couldn't find the car keys, it was a UK Reg. 16 Plate.
Shoot me down in flames but how does an Italian resident drive a UK plate over there.
It must take some juggling.

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[PaulW2]

.......france only, so if you come over on the boat then not needed.

IDP not needed, UK driving licenses are fully recognised in Spain for anyone that doesn't live in Spain. An IDP will just confuse any copper that is under 40 years old.

There was a requirement to carry emergency V16 lighting (flashing beacons ) that was "recommended" currently and soon to be compulsory. Its to replace the yellow triangle, they worked out that people were dying just placing triangles down the road, so this is a beacon that you stick on top of the car "Starskey and Hutch" style. By the end of 2024, warning triangles will not be allowed. If you are going to get one, be aware that from 2026 they will also have to be ones that connect direct to the "cloud" so that the Spanish driving authorities can find you if you set yours off ! We bought 2 of them, i can hardly get on the roof of the MH so we have one for the front and one for the back, which we have to get out of the MH to place so defeats the whole object of using them.

See https://www.barcelona-y-daytrips.com/carrying-v16-emergency-light-is-mandatory-in-spain/

Thanks, had missed that these lights were becoming compulsory. Drive in Spain a lot so have now ordered them…

I thought the French breathalyser requirement had been dropped?

 

[LesW]

I thought the French breathalyser requirement had been dropped?

Yes, some time ago..

 

[cyberyacht]

I haven't got a metal roof so the magnet is useless and even if it was on the relatively inaccessible roof, its line of vision would be obstructed by hatches. What's wrong with hazards?

 

[PaulW2]

I haven't got a metal roof so the magnet is useless and even if it was on the relatively inaccessible roof, its line of vision would be obstructed by hatches. What's wrong with hazards?

The way I now read it (courtesy of Wikipedia) is that you can use either the V16 lights or the triangles until 2026, whereafter a new design V16 light which will connect directly to the cloud to alert the authorities will be required.

 

[Speve]

The way I now read it (courtesy of Wikipedia) is that you can use either the V16 lights or the triangles until 2026, whereafter a new design V16 light which will connect directly to the cloud to alert the authorities will be required.

Please could you say where you got your v16 lamps

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[PaulW2]

Amazon. Just under £ 17 for 2.

 

[Speve]

Be aware that some of the emergency lights do not comply with DGT in that they do not communicate your position to authorities in Spain

 

[PaulW2]

As I understand it the need to communicate with authorities is only effective on 1 Jan 26. Until then the ones that don't communicate are legal. The ones I saw on Amazon are manufactured in Spain in accordance with their current regulations, but don't communicate

 

[Speve]

This it the type required.

PF Led ONE V16 | V16 Emergency Beacon

V16 emergency beacon with geolocation. PF Led ONE is a V16 emergency light that connects to the DGT. Beacon approved for mandatory use authorized by the DGT.

pfroadsafety.com

https://kps-group.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/DataSheet-FlashLed_SOS-ENG.pdf

 

[MichaelT]

That's only needed if you still only have the old paper licence.

Anyone with a "modern" plastic photo licence, doesn't need one.

Ignore

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[pappajohn]

Don’t forget the breathalyser kit…..

Not required.
The law still stands but there's no penalty for not carrying any. The law states two required.

 

[Speve]

As I understand it the need to communicate with authorities is only effective on 1 Jan 26. Until then the ones that don't communicate are legal. The ones I saw on Amazon are manufactured in Spain in accordance with their current regulations, but don't communicate

The ones that comply come with at least 12 years data included. In my view if I’m going to get one it might as well be future proof

 

[PaulW2]

The ones that comply come with at least 12 years data included. In my view if I’m going to get one it might as well be future proof

On reflection I may hold fire.

As Yogi Berra reminded us it's difficult to make predictions, especially about the future.

I'll review this as 2026 draws near - no point in spending 2 x € 49 more than two years before it will be needed!

 

[gus-lopez]

What's wrong with hazards?

they don't inform DGT where you have broken down.

 

[Widge]

Far be it for me to criticise (cos I love the programme) but I saw a snatch of "We've bought a village" in TV the other evening and the couple who have already renovated one hamlet and have started to bring another back to life (this is in Italy and they do live there) , had a scene where they couldn't find the car keys, it was a UK Reg. 16 Plate.
Shoot me down in flames but how does an Italian resident drive a UK plate over there.
It must take some juggling.

He doesn't legally, for a UK registered vehicle to be legal anywhere it has to be taxed insured and have a current MOT, we had a lot of that in France where people put the vehicle on SORN got a French CT and got insurance from a local insurance company, but all the main insurance companies are refusing to insure UK vehicles except for a short period (4-6 weeks) to allow for re-registration, but there are still a few around. I hope somebody from the DVLA was watching.