Lanzarote Relocation

This is a question so often asked… so here is some basic information for you that may help.

The easy answer to whether you need a Spanish licence, or whether you need to exchange what you already have… really depends on where your current licence was issued. For the purposes of this article, we are concentrating solely on EU member states.

If you are over eighteen and the holder of an EU drivers’ licence, then you are legally entitled to drive in Spain on that license. However, you do have the option of exchanging it for a Spanish licence if you wish. Remember that not having an up to date address on your UK drivers’ license is a criminal offence – and as you may no longer have a UK address, then you are in a dilemma. However, don’t worry… while it is completely legal to use the EU-issued licence until it expires, it is not possible to change the address on the EU licence to an address outside of the issuing country. It is generally accepted within the rules that the address on the licence will be from the issuing country and may not be the drivers’ actual residential address.

Here is what the DVLA have to say about the matter:
Moving to another country
You don’t need to notify DVLA of a change of address when moving to live abroad.

Remember also that you are subject to Spanish Law when it comes to driving in Spain – just having a UK license does not make you exempt. Spanish authorities are well within their rights to demand that you exchange your EU license for a Spanish one if a driving offence occurs (for example the moitoring of “points”).

Drivers from within the EU do still need to register with Trafico however, within six months of living in Lanzarote

* The office for Lanzarote is here:
Ctra de los Mármoles, 5
Arrecife
Tel.: 928 817 600
Fax: 928 814 170

Once registered, you will need to have a medical exam at an Authorised Drivers Check Centre (Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores Autorizado) to show mental and physical fitness.

How do I exchange my EU licence for a Spanish licence?
Simply head to Trafico (address above) and they will give you an application form to complete. You will need to take certain documentation with you also.

• Passport and a photocopy
• Proof of residence (Certificate of Registration in the Central Aliens Register NIE number certificate (and a photocopy)
• Your current valid driving licence(original and a photocopy)
• Two recent photographs (25 by 32 mm)
• Declaration in writing stating that you have not been banned or suspended from driving
• Declaration in writing stating that you do not hold another driving licence of the same class in another country

The licence issued will be credit card sized and include photo identification, and is sent out by snail mail – so if post is an issue in your area (as it is in ours) then ensure you have a friend who can accept delivery.

Comgratulations – you now have your spanking new Spanish driving licence. This license is valid for ten years for a private car or bike, when you are under 45 years of age, five years between 45 and 70, and two years from 70 and upwards.

The above information is only valid for member states of the EU. For anyone outside of that, we recommend that you contact Trafico directly, so as not to fall foul of the law.

More information (in Spanish) is available here: DGT

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