Exchange from UK to Spanish driving licence

[FuerteventuraNow]

We went through the ‘Canje’ process in Tráfico a couple of weeks ago, did all the paperwork and paid, but at the end we’re given back our UK licences and told we would be called back in once our details had been checked with DVLA. Applications had reached a level where Tráfico simply could not do the confirmations ‘live’ on the DVLA system. The next working day we each received emails saying the same thing, that once our details had been checked with DVLA we could make a further appointment to collect the temp licence, taking in our UK licences. Knowing that others a week or so earlier had obtained their paper copies on the spot we were a little concerned, but others, including friends who had used gestores/advisors, confirmed they too had had their UK licences returned, and were waiting to hear from their gestor.

I’m just wondering if others on here are in a similar position? I’d hoped to have heard after a week or so. Has anyone had a second email calling them in yet? Would love to just get this sorted and out of the way!

We opted to go back in to collect ours as our post is not reliable.  We were handed back our UK license too.  I do wonder if those who had their UK license taken from them and received a temporary one, had opted to receive their license by post, thus they had to give up their UK license then and there.

[gattaca66]

Sorry, driving licences again! It’s now over three weeks since we went through the process in Tráfico, we still have our UK licences, and have had no further messages from Tráfico. I’m wondering if I have misunderstood the emails we, and a friend I helped a few days later, have received? The text of the short message was:

Una vez recibida la validez de su permiso de conducir de Reino Unido, puede solicitar cita cuando desee para esta Oficina Local de Tráfico de Fuerteventura (tfno. 060 o web www.dgt.es) y así terminar los trámites de su canje del PC británico por el PC español.

Now, I can read and understand Spanish OK, and I interpret this as ‘once validation of your driving licence is received from the UK, you can make another appointment to complete the transaction etc’. I’d assumed a second message will follow when that validation is done. However, I’m getting a nagging feeling that this may be implying I should make the further appointment now, on the assumption that validation will have been received, and I will not receive further messages..... I don’t want to sit waiting like a lemon wondering what is going on.

Has anyone else received a second email, phone call, or just made a further appointment at Tráfico?

[Johnrgby]

What it says is once you have received the validation of your UK driving licence, strange indeed.

[gattaca66]

What it says is once you have received the validation of your UK driving licence, strange indeed.

Yes, that was my initial quick reading of it, John, but the ‘recibida’ agrees the ‘la validación’, so it’s ‘once the validation is received’.......or so I think! Whichever, though, I just want to get it done and dusted. Ah, the joys of Spanish officialdom, one of the interesting aspects of life over here!

[Johnrgby]

What it says is once you have received the validation of your UK driving licence, strange indeed.

Yes, that was my initial quick reading of it, John, but the ‘recibida’ agrees the ‘la validación’, so it’s ‘once the validation is received’.......or so I think! Whichever, though, I just want to get it done and dusted. Ah, the joys of Spanish officialdom, one of the interesting aspects of life over here

I have a mate who went along with his wife to do the exchange, her licence came through in about 10 days, but he waited 4 weeks +, but in his case he had a drink driving endorsement which was 20 years old and had expired, but he hadn't had it removed from his licence, and he put the delay down to that.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Few years since I did mine but I do remember popping in after 2 weeks to see if my new licence was waiting for me (ever hopeful or hopelessly naïve!). This was before appointments were necessary. The guy I spoke to looked up my application, said, 'Oh yes, we've received the OK from the UK, now we can start the process!'

Make an appointment, you've got nothing to lose. Either it's the right thing to do anyway or you may kickstart the process! Actually, make a series of appointments at weekly intervals, then you should be covered whatever happens.  Just don't forget to cancel any you don't need leaving enough time that others can take advantage of them.

[gattaca66]

Seems good advice, thanks, cita now made for next Wednesday, so we shall see. I’ve made it under the general office procedures heading (trámites oficinas), so fingers-crossed they will see me!

[gattaca66]

Having started the thread, I might as well add my latest update for anyone else in the same position, or considering exchanging licences. I had my Tráfico cita about four weeks ago, receiving next day an email confirming that once my details were validated by DVLA, I could return for the next stage (see my previous post). After four weeks I made a general appointment and went in again today, to see if any progress. Yes, I was advised, I can now have the temp paper copy, hand in my UK licence, and return in a month for the real thing. So....don’t wait for any further email or call, assume the validation will be done. I could, incidentally, see the validation printout in the papers, date stamped the day after my original appointment....!

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Well done! 
Sounds like it's still the same process as when I went through it. How long is your temporary paper valid for?

[gattaca66]

The temporary one is valid for just three months! Hopefully, I will pick up the new licence well before it runs out...!