Exchange from UK to Spanish driving licence

[Cotillo_Tom]

So, I attended DGT today. Like McAdam, I had booked the wrong appointment, but there was no issue with that. 

I arrived 5 minutes early, showed my appointment confirmation to the security guard and he indicated for me to wait. Within 5 minutes, he directed me to enter and go to a machine that issues a ticket. You input your NIE number and it produces a numbered ticket (a bit like the butchers or fish counter in Superdino).  I do wonder why you need a numbered ticket when you already have a timed appointment, but hey ho, that's the system.

Only two counters were staffed and only 4 people were allowed in the waiting area that usually takes 25 - 30 people. 

After a very short wait, my number came up on the large TV screen and an automated voice called my number to counter 2. 

The young lady who attended to me could not have been more helpful. I started in Spanish (not particularly good Spanish) and she switched to English for the whole transaction. As I lip read, she kindly removed her mask (she was behind a glass screen) and I encountered no issues understanding her. 

I provided:
UK driving licence. 
British passport. 
Residency Card (the green card).
Empadron.
Passport photograph. 

I had copied the passport and green card, but she made her own copies, so don't waste paper by doing your own copies!

We hit a snag with my photo! It was the standard photo for a UK passport and they are slightly too big!  The lady indicated that if I went to the digital photo shop just opposite the National Police Station and returned with the correct photo, she would complete my application as soon as I returned, without having to join the queue again. 

Twenty minutes later and €5 poorer, I returned with a new photo and she called me forward as soon as she was available and the process was completed in 2 minutes. 

The fee was €28.30, paid by debit or credit card at the counter. 

I was offered the new licence being posted to me, but she recommended that I collect it in about 6 weeks, without the need to make an appointment. Just show the temporary licence to the security guard to gain entry. 

My temporary licence is valid for three months and is an A4 white sheet but only valid when accompanied by identification. (Not sure if that means I need to carry my passport with me at all times, as I carry nothing else with photo ID).

I will post an update when I collect my licence around the 10th November. 

Tom.

[Adrianb]

Does anyone know of problems when inputting the NIE number into the Dgt we form? I get mine rejected as being invalid. I tried my partners too and got the same. My number format is Y*******-R.  How else can I get an appointment if I can't do it on online?

[Adrianb]

I might have solved this. I removed the "hyphen" from "-R which was on my green residency card and it worked i.e. Y*******R.
The only appointment was on 21\01\21! After Brexit! I will try tomorrow morning Early as suggested. FYI I selected the " canje" option.

[McAdam]

Tom, thanks for sharing your experience.

I am always surprised at the great attitude of people working all over in all the offices here. After living in Germany for 5 years, my heart melts every time I'm met with anything other than a strong frown and look of disgust.

The A4 paper is only valid in Spain, and you do still need to carry some photo ID with you.
I have heard that the Police would accept a color copy of your passport, but might request to see the actual for which they would be patient.

Im waiting on my TIE card to arrive in the next 2 weeks, then I can put my passport in the drawer that everything gets lost in. Wont need it for a long time!

[stewart1875]

hi,
has anyone been able to exchange their UK licence using the temporary A4  residency  certificate you get from the 
Police station when getting finger prints taken etc or does Trafico insist that you wait on the green card arriving ?
 thanks

[roclite]

Hi all,

Just heard announcement that Spanish government have now extended the UK driving licence exchange to 31st December 2021 but still only for people who registered their intent to exchange with DGT before 30th December 2020. Unfortunately, this does not help me or possibly thousands of others who did not have the necessary documentation (eg padron certificate, Resolucion, TIE etc) at the time to register successfully. In my case, i did'nt have this documentation due to a delay (cock-up!) in getting my Padron which held up everything else. I telephoned DGT office anyway about 28th December but no-one was available to help who spoke english . My only option now is to sit the Spanish driving test and its not easy to navigate the process. My initial research (on-line and walking into driving schools in Puerto del Rosario) suggests it will probably cost around 350 - 400 euro and take several weeks which could mean i end up without a Spanish driving licence. It is further complicated by the fact that i need to return to UK after i get my TIE card to attend to some property matters. Has anyone here managed to or is currently going through the process that can offer some tips and advice?

[roclite]

My stay back in UK was longer than anticipated and now i am back in Fuerteventura with the same problem of getting my Spanish driving licence. I know i cannot simply exchange now but need to take theory/practical tests but local driving schools in Puerto del Rosario are not geared up for non-spanish Third Country Nationals to go through the process. I have been to P del R DGT office and eventually spoke with an english-speaking official who said i should make an appointment and then come back with all my documents and a Spanish translator, to presumably be told exactly what to do to get my licence. Has anyone here successfully negotiated the process to get their licence through DGT or by enrolling in a local driving school for the lessons/test route? I am trying to stay positive but this scenario is proving to be a nightmare.

[roclite]

I am sure you are not all totally bored with my spanish driving licence saga yet.....so here is some more

I have been to the DGT office in Puerto Del Rosario 4 times so far this year and have now, successfully, registered my details and paid (92 euros) for the theory/practical test at the fourth attempt. The third attempt was hilarious, as the counter official looked at my completed spanish driving licence application form and said i needed to go next door to get my driving medical certificate. 40 mins and 45 euros later, i returned only to be told by the same guy that he couldnt "exchange" my licence and he now couldnt do anything to help. That was the same day of the announcement of the extension to 31st December 2021 for processing UK licence exchanges, so i think everyone in office were a bit confused. Anyway, undeterred, i made yet another appointment a few weeks later and this time managed to get a younger official who understood some english and knew exactly what i was trying to do (i naively assumed the completed application form was a big clue  ) . Hurrah! Theory test on 2nd December 2021 with not nearly enough time left (less than 4 weeks) to arrange my practical test before 31st December 2021 deadline but hey-ho unfortunately, there is nothing else i can do.

[Pete Garyga]

I've just stumbled across this page, I'd assumed the rules would be the same for all EU countries but it seems there are only a couple that you can't just exchange your licence without the need for a test. Obviously Spain is one 

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-t...-in-the-eu

[roclite]

I think that is correct Pete and unfortunately it all came back to bite me . I studied very hard for the theory test, took loads of online sample tests in the same way as if i had tested through a driving school but failed the test on the day. I had 5 wrong answers out of 30, you are only allowed 3 maximum. There was no helpful feedback on what questions i failed so i cannot ascertain where my knowledge is weak. I wont make any excuses and have since re-booked for a second test (free) but by the time i booked and got my appointment at DGT, the new test date is now set for 27th January 2022   .  I think they only do 2 test days per month so that explains the long delay, but even if i had managed to get the next available test day, that would only have been 13th January so not much better.