• Sanctions Madrid will fine from today, May 1, vehicles that circulate within the M-30 without an environmental sticker

As a consequence of Brexit,

English and United Kingdom citizens residing in Spain

will

not be able to circulate in our country if they do not obtain a Spanish driving license

.

Today, May 1, the exception made by the Spanish Government in 2020 by which the British could drive with their British nationality card ends.

This moratorium is established by the Spanish Government as a result of Brexit, which caused the United Kingdom to leave the European Union.

In this way, British citizens residing in Spain must have a Spanish driving license if they want to get behind the wheel.

British tourists and the DGT

British tourists who spend leisure time or holidays in Spain will be able to drive with a British license without any problem.

Those who travel to Spain for work or temporarily may also do so.

Having a Spanish driving license will only be mandatory for those with British nationality who have been residing in Spain for more than six months.

In this regard, from the DGT they say that:

"After the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union and the end of the transitory period

, Royal Decree Law 38/2020 extended the authorization for British driving licenses until the 30th of April 2022. Consequently, valid and current driving licenses issued by

the British authorities will enable their holders to drive in our country until that date.

As of May 1, 2022, the regime for driving licenses issued by the British authorities will be that provided for licenses issued in third countries, in accordance with the provisions of article 21 of the General Driver Regulations.

In other words, they will only be valid for driving during a period of six months, from the entry of their holder in Spain or from the date of obtaining their legal residence.

This says Spain

It is the same argument used by La Moncloa: "As of May 1, 2022, the permits issued by the British authorities will enable driving in Spain for six months from the entry of the holder into Spain or from the date of obtaining the legal residence".

The United Kingdom effectively ceased to belong to the European Union as of December 31, 2020

, so that all traffic agreements within the framework of the EU are no longer valid for holders of traffic permits. lead issued by the UK:

  • As of January 1, 2021, the permits issued by the British authorities will enable you to drive in Spain until April 30, 2022, not being valid to drive in our country from that moment on.

    The provisions of article 21 of the general regulations for Drivers are applicable from said record.

  • For holders of a British driving license who have applied for exchange, replacement or renewal before December 31, 2020, it is recalled that they will be processed provided that they have been verified by the United Kingdom authorities before January 1, 2021.

  • If you did not request the exchange before December 31, 2020, you will have to obtain a Spanish driving license.

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  • DGT