Expats in Spain are banned from roads in row over licences
BRITONS living in Spain face a driving ban and weeks of chaos after a government bungle over licence rules.
From today, tens of thousands of British expats are banned from using their UK driving licence in Spain after both governments failed to reach a post-Brexit deal.
The change does not apply to holidaymakers who can still use their UK driving licence.
Last night, Whitehall sources blamed Spanish bureaucrats for delaying talks and missing the April 30 deadline. Until now, Britons living in Spain have been able to use their DVLAissued licences. Every other European country has agreed a post-Brexit deal.
Tory MP Sir Iain Duncan Smith criticised Spain, saying: ‘It’s a case of “Manana, manana”. It’s time they do what they agreed.’
A UK Government source said: ‘This could go on for a week or it could be longer. It should be temporary but we don’t know how temporary.
‘In the meantime, British residents won’t be able to drive a car.’
A Foreign Office spokesman said: ‘An agreement to swap UK driving licences for Spanish licences has not yet been reached.
‘From May 1, UK licence holders who have been resident in Spain for more than six months and did not exchange their licence during the transition period will no longer be able to drive legally in Spain. We have agreed to accelerate talks and are urging the Spanish Government to bring forward interim measures.’
Until a deal is struck, expats will need to obtain a Spanish driving licence.
Malaga-based Sam BrittonBeese said: ‘Our application for residency was still in process before the deadline so we couldn’t register.’
Linda Rogers, originally from Coventry, said: ‘Our house is in the mountains. Nothing is close by. I’ve tried to get into a driving school but nothing is available.’
The DGT – the Spanish DVLA – and Spain’s Ministry of Interior, were approached for comment.
Holidaymakers on allinclusive packages are being restricted to six alcoholic drinks a day at hotels in parts of Ibiza and Majorca.
Under new rules announced earlier this year, in a bid to reduce antisocial behaviour, only three tipples are allowed at lunch and three at dinner.