You can drive on your UK licence in Spain until October 31, 2021 if you were resident before December 31 2020 and whether you registered your intention to exchange it for a Spanish one before December 30 2020 or not.
Ministers agreed yesterday to extend for four months, the measures relating to the change of status of the UK and Northern Ireland to a Third State (that is not part of the European Union) at the end of the transition period set down in the withdrawal agreement.
The measures relate to:
The legal basis necessary for Spain to continue billing Gibraltar for the costs of healthcare provided to cross border workers who are resident in Spain and work in Gibraltar.
The validity of driving licences issued by the British authorities
The recognition of degrees and studies
Probably the most relevant section to most of our readers is the part referring to UK driving licences.
A valid UK driving licence will continue to be recognised for driving in Spain if you were resident before December 31 2020, even if you didn´t receive your residency document before the end of the transition period.
There is no requirement for you to have registered your intention to exchange your licence for a Spanish one with the DGT before December 30, 2020.
Negotiations continue on the requirement to take a practical test in order to exchange your driving licence but, for now, this does not affect the current process and, if you did not register to exchange your licence with the DGT before December 30 2020, you will have to take a test.
