The official update on the driving license exchange situation as we now move into August, was given by Minister Karl McCartney, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Department for Transport.
McCartney issued the August update via the official UK Consulate and Embassy Facebook page to reassure those affected, that progress is continuing. As always, the government is aware and sympathetic to those impacted and understands the frustrations.
Here is his August update message in full
Working with the British Embassy in Spain and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Department for Transport has been negotiating with the Spanish Government regarding the exchange of UK driving licences.
Our aim is to secure a deal that allows UK licence holders resident in Spain to exchange their licence for a Spanish one without the need for a practical test, so they can return to the roads as soon as possible.
The UK Government has engaged in these negotiations in good faith and ensured that Spanish drivers in the UK have, as always, encountered no limitations nor inconvenience in their ability to drive.
We have similar arrangements in place with 24 other EU Member States already, but negotiations with Spain have been made more complicated on account of Spain requiring additional elements which no one else has asked for in relation to driving licence exchange arrangements. Nonetheless, we are working hard to finalise negotiations with the Spanish Government.
We understand that some UK Nationals are currently unable to drive whilst we are negotiating with the Spanish.
To those affected, we would reiterate that we understand your frustration and we are aware of the severe impact on your everyday lives. You remain in the ‘front of our minds’ for the Department for Transport’s negotiation team, and we want to have you back on the road as soon as possible.
The British Embassy in Spain will continue to keep you informed on the progress of negotiations.
Agreement is finalised
In an updated version, the Embassy wanted to make it clear that the Agreement has been reached, however, they are now just working on the annexes.
Also read: Some helpful questions and answers regarding the driving license exchange negotiations
One of the questions answered in last week´s article (above) was; “What will happen when the Agreement is finalised?”
Let´s just hope it doesn´t take too long to “work on the annexes”.
Also read: Nearly 9 million vehicles being driven in Spain with no ITV
