” We know there has been some confusion around the exchange of UK driving licences and whether you need to start the process by 31 January. The information currently on the DGT website referring to the need to register your details by 31 January would apply only to a no-deal scenario.
The UK is set to leave the EU with a deal under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement. In practice this means that the rules around the exchange of UK licences will remain the same during the transition period. You will have until 31 December to exchange your UK licence for a Spanish one under the current rules, so there is no need to worry if you are unable to start the process before 31 January. But don’t leave it til the last minute – book an appointment on dgt.es as soon as you can. Remember you can exchange your licence anywhere in Spain – it doesn’t have to be where you are officially resident. Once you have made the exchange, your Spanish licence will be accepted in the UK when you visit and you can exchange it for a UK licence again should you return to the UK permanently.”
From DGT
The European Union has negotiated with the United Kingdom a Withdrawal Agreement that enables a transitional period during which the rights of citizens are maintained according to the acquis communautaire, an agreement that has already been approved by both the European and British institutions. Therefore, European driving license regulations will continue to apply to permits issued by the United Kingdom until the end of the transitional period, scheduled for December 31, 2020 . Consequently, the valid and valid driving licenses issued by the British authorities will enable their holders to drive in our country until that date. As of January 1, 2021 , the general regulations on third-country permits (non-EU countries) and the permits issued by the British authorities will apply to drive in Spain for six months from the entry of the holder in Spain or from the date of obtaining legal residence. If you are a British permit holder and you plan to reside in Spain after the end of the year 2020, we recommend that you request the exchange, renewal or replacement of your permit with an equivalent Spanish. To do so, you must make an appointment through the following link . For more information on the procedures necessary to exchange, renew or replace your driving license, you can consult the following page: https://sede.dgt.gob.es/es/permisos-de-conducir/canje-permisos/index.shtmlWill Spanish driving licenses be recognized in the United Kingdom? Under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement, European driving license regulations will continue to apply in the United Kingdom until December 31, 2020. Therefore, it is possible to continue driving and redeem the Spanish license until that date. As of January 1, 2021, the treatment that the British authorities give to our driving licenses will change.
