INDEX

DRIVING LICENCE

If you hold Spanish Residency you may drive using a UK/EEC photo licence ( identified by the ring of stars at the top. You must however have this stamped by the Jefatura de Trafico in the province where you reside.
NB You will now also need to take a short medical/hand to eye coordination test known as a psicofisica at one of the numerous Centros de Reconocimiento de Conductores ( there are two in Benissa) these tests must be renewed every 10 years for ages between 18 and 45 years, every 5 years 45-70 ( unless you sufer from a recognised illness then these tests must be taken more frequently) These tests must be made in the province that you reside in .ie Alicante.( there does not seem to be a standard charge for this) Without this medical your licence may be deemed invalid and therefore your insurance as well.

Application for a Spanish Driving licence ( the type preferred by the authorities) must be done in person at the Jefatura de Trafico The necessary documentation you will need is::-

Your old licence plus photocopy
2 passport size photos
Medical certificate and photocopy
Application form and fee currently € 26.26 in cash ( form not available by post or download)
Certificate of Empadronamiento ( not more than 3 months old) passport and NIE no. plus photocopies of each
You will also need to sign a form stating that no other licence is held etc.

Procedure as follows for change from UK/EEC licence to Spanish.
Apply in person to Jefatura de Trafico c/l Catadratico Ferre Vidiella near El Corte Ingles)
Join queue for informacion and ask for forms to change licence ( you will be given 3)
Fill these in and join queue for caja and pay €26.26 where you will be given a ticket no. ( which also acts as receipt) and wait for your turn at one of the windows (number will appear over window) Hand over all documents listed above incl photocopies . You will be given back your passport, DNI certificate & padron together with a stamped copy of green form entitled Solicitud de Canaje, which you must retain. You will be sent a letter after about a month to return to Alicante to collect your new Spanish licence.

If you are to renew your Spanish Licence you will automatically be sent a form to the address on your licence and this can be returned by post.

02/03/2010