You can now drive in Spain on your EU driving license and are no longer required to apply for a Spanish one, however as a non-resident you are required to also have an International driving license or an official translation of your driving licence from the Spanish Consulate in the UK or a Certificado de Equivalencia (Certificate of Equivalence) prepared by the Royal Automobile Club in Spain. The fine is currently 300 euros if you do not have one of these documents.
As a resident you can drive on your EU license providing it is stamped by the Spanish traffic department.
You can also drive your foreign registered car but only for 6 months out of every year. It is difficult for the Spanish authorities to prove that you have driven it for longer than 6 months but the police now put the onus on you to prove it. If you are stopped in a foreign-registered car the insurance, MOT etc will be checked. It is easier to swap to a Spanish car as soon as you are settled here. However if you can’t bear to leave or sell your car in the UK you can now import tax free as an EU citizen but there are still costs of around 700 euros to pay and documentation is required.
When buying a Spanish plated car you will need to produce a one year rental contract, an escritura, a certificado de empadronamiento (certificate to show you are registered in the municipality in which you live) or residencia.
Your car or motorbike is subject to the impuesto municipal sobre vehiculos de traccion mecanica (municipal tax for vehicles) and must be paid at the town hall each year. This will cost between 50-100 euros for an average car but the charges vary dependant on the municipality and the cc of your vehicle. You cannot sell your car with out a paid-up receipt for this vehicle tax and there are penalties of 20% for late payment and fines if you are stopped by the police and payment is not up to date.
Cars over 4 years old require an ITV (MOT) and the police are hot on enforcing this and will check your windscreen for the colour-coded sticker with the date when your next ITV is due.
Driving without a proper license, driving an unregistered or improperly registered vehicle or using mobile phones while driving attract fines of over 1500 euros and a ban from driving.
Red Tape can provide the following services:
- Organising the ITV
- Contracting to keep your car in a secure lock-up while you are in the UK and provision of airport collection and delivery
- Organising all documentation for your vehicle
- Full translation service with the police in the event of you receiving fines or being involved in a road traffic accident.
Let Red Tape tie up a solution today
Contact: Jose Ensenat on 661 341 568 or at jose@redtape.es