Driving licence changes for over 60s

Can anybody advise,we have been told that we must change our UK driving licence for a Spanish one before January or we could be fined, we are both over 60 and have been resident in Spain for over two years,if this is the case what do we need to do and where do we do it, thanks in advance.

I'm not sure what the rules are at present, but lots of people are changing their licences over. Am planning to do so myself soon. If you want to sort it out yourself, rather than get a gestor to do it for you, this is what I have been told you need to do:
Make an appointment with tráfico in Granada [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]
Turn up at the appointed time (check their website for exact location) with current driving licence, NIE, padron (not more than 3 months old), 2 (I think) photos of suitable size (tell the photo shop what they are needed for and they should get it right) and an up to date health certificate thing that states you are okay to drive (obtainable at the Policlinico in Baza, tho there is a place very near Trafico in Granada in case you turn up without it).
My sister who lives in Granada recently changed her licence from UK to Spanish and told me this was what she needed. She'd been driving here for 25 years on her UK licence without any problems but finally got round to it!

if you look back this topic has been on at some length.

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Loads of useful info about everything on both these sites, not just about this subject.

Mandi wrote:if you look back this topic has been on at some length.

Just to say that I finally got to Tráfico to change my licence today - hurray!
The topic probably has been done to death, so if anyone would like info about exactly what's needed do P.M. me - I now feel I'm am expert on the subject!

This is interesting. I've just been told by a Gestor in Baza that you need residency to obtain a Spanish driving licence and a padron is not sufficient any more.

Fred Flintstone wrote:This is interesting. I've just been told by a Gestor in Baza that you need residency to obtain a Spanish driving licence and a padron is not sufficient any more.

I have been told that, also.

Fred Flintstone wrote:This is interesting. I've just been told by a Gestor in Baza that you need residency to obtain a Spanish driving licence and a padron is not sufficient any more.

Yes, you do. I (wrongly) refer to my residency certificate as my NIE cos when I first arrived that's what we all called it! (2006 in Gran Canaria) It was so easy to get - no questions asked!

Hi Guys
Just a quick note, when you do go to the traffico in Granada make sure you take your UK NI number to enable them to do a search and issue you with a temporary licence straightaway.

Do I need to change my European driving licence?

A single driving licence for the whole EU.

The EU has introduced a harmonised licence model and further minimum requirements for obtaining a licence. This should help to keep unsafe drivers off Europe’s roads – wherever they take their driving test.

We want to comment about this new law about changing the european driving licences. It only affects licences issued for more than 15 years ago or undefined. As you can see in this photo, British licences are issued for 10 years so if you have one of these, you do not have do anything.

Validity of European driving licences:

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Click here and read the new: (in Spanish, sorry Emoticono frown )

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I obtained a Spanish licence because my UK issued licence had a UK address on. I was okay with this while I was "in transition" between UK and Spain (i.e. still having to spend a lot of time there), but once I was permanently in Spain I wanted to update my licence. I don't think DVLA will issue a new licence if you don't have a UK address, and that's why I applied for a licence from DGT in Spain.

I think you're right, we've not changed ours yet and legally not required to do so. However we are changing them soon as trying to tell a traffic officer he is wrong could be fun!!!

Good points. We changed ours anyway as we had no UK address after moving here full time. I think if you are resident here full time, its a good idea to exchange in order to prevent roadside problems with the GC. Do you need the stress?
IF you do want to do the exchange, do yourself a favour and just prior to the process contact the DVLA and ask for a 'Certificate of Entitlement', costs £5 and can only be sent to a NON UK address. Its an official record of your driving licence entitlements and keeping it safe can save you a whole lot of hassle not only during the exchange to a Spanish licence, but also any 'swap back' to a UK one in the future if needs be.
Finally, remember that any 'vocational' driving groups on your UK licence (bus, lorry or artic for example) WILL NOT be transferred to your Spanish licence. Also remember the medical for the Spanish licence MUST show an E for a small trailer and a full A for a 'proper' motorcycle if your UK licence has these.
Not doing that means that your Spanish licence will only have a solo car without trailer and a moped shown!

Thanks for that