LEVANTE LIFESTYLE

UK DRIVING LICENCES IN SPAIN

APPROACHING THE AGE OF 70

By Dr K Knowles and Monica Subirats-Knowles

Readers will probably be aware that in the UK your driving licence entitlement expires when you reach the age of 70, and if you want to continue to drive, your licence must be renewed.(1) A similar rule applies if you are resident in Spain. So what must be done to ensure you have a valid driving licence after 70?

The procedures differ, obviously, depending on where you are officially resident. If you are still officially resident in the UK, it is a simple matter. Providing that your current UK address is on the DVLA records, an application form will be sent out to you automatically about three months before your licence is due to expire.

The DVLA requires confirmation that no medical disability is present, and a new licence will normally be issued subject to a satisfactory completion of medical questions on the application form, without the need for a medical examination. This licence will be renewable every three years thereafter. If you do not receive the renewal form from the DVLA, ask at the Post office for a D1 application form, which will be acceptable for the renewal.

However, if you are resident outside the UK, the DVLA is unable to renew or reissue a driving licence. Recent advice from a representative of the DVLA (2) was that in such cases, non-UK residents should contact the issuing authorities of the country of residence to obtain a new licence. Similarly, the British authorities in Spain state that when you reach the age of 70 and are resident in Spain, you should register with the Spanish authorities.(3)

The relevant authorities in Spain are the Jefaturas Provinciales o Locales de Trafico (often referred to just as “Trafico”). Addresses and other information are available on the internet in Spanish.(4) Telephone advice is also available if your spoken Spanish is good.(5) The documents you will need to present at Trafico are:

1. A completed application form. (Modelo 2.220/T can be downloaded by accessing www.dgt.es/tramites then click on ‘Modelos e impresos’).
2. Your current driving licence.
3. ID (passport and Certificado de Inscripcion en el Registro Central de Extranjeros (also known as Certificate of Residence).
4. Medical certificate (Informe de Aptitud psicofisica) issued by an authorised medical centre (Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores). When you go to the medical centre for your check-up, you should take with you all the documents in this list, including the photographs (see below). The cost of this check-up and the certificate varies across centres. Just as a guide, 25 euros was the price quoted in response to our recent enquiry in Garrucha.(6).
5. Three recent passport-type photographs 35 x 25mm.

If you are already 70 years old, or about to reach this age, you will not be charged the fee (tasa) of 18 euros by Trafico. You will also be pleased to know you will not be required to do the Spanish driving test. You do not have to wait until you are 70 before applying. As in the UK, you can apply from three months prior to your 70th birthday and we consider it advisable to do so.
Happy driving!

REFERENCES/SOURCES

(1) www.direct.gov.uk/Motoring/DriverLicensing
(2) Milburn, A, 2007, drivers.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk, personal communication
(3) Britsh Consulate, Alicante, 2007, personal communication
(4) www.dgt.es/tramites/donde_realizar. The Almeria office is Hermanos Machado, 4, Almeria, 04071. Tel: 950 242 222. Fax: 950 239 302.
(5) Telephone 060, then follow the menu - Trafico - Conductores – and so on.
(6) Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductors, 2007, Calle Mayor 28, Garrucha, Almeria, 04630. Tel: 950 132 552, personal communication.