Driving License in Spain (EU) Help needed!

ericmars
New Member



Joined: 08 Jun 2004
Posts: 3
Location: Fuengirola, Spain

Posted: Tue Jun 08, 2004 9:31 am

 

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Hello, I have found myself in a critical situation, and I have not been able to find anyone that can offer me a simple (and cost-effective) solution to my problem.

I am 27 years old and a dual citizen (Canadian and British) and grew up in Montreal. I have a Quebec Driver’s license and have held one for the past 11 years. My license is expiring on my birthday (July 6), and I need to get a new one!

The government of Quebec has told me that they can not issue me a new Quebec license without me being there in person.

The British Government will not grant me a British drivers license because I am not a resident of the UK.

The Spanish Government doesn’t seem to recognize the Canadian license at all (apart from the fact that I can drive here with it for 6 months, then it is not valid).

I have also heard rumors that I can not get a Spanish license without having gone through the lengthy “residencia” process here in Spain. So not only would I need to get my “residencia”, but then I would need to go through the entire drivers application process as though I was 16 again? On top of that, it appears as though I can only do this process in Spanish!!!

So… I’m asking for anyone with knowledge on this to lend me a helping hand with suggestions or ideas of how to go about this? (Of course, that is, apart from the 1000€ return flight cost to Canada).

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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Eric Marsella
+34 645 363 208

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Bunty
New Member



Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 3

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 5:15 am

 

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Have you looked at the possibility of getting an International Driver's License?

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ericmars
New Member



Joined: 08 Jun 2004
Posts: 3
Location: Fuengirola, Spain

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 5:26 am

 

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I haven't really, because I have heard (yet another rumour) that the Spanish police do not recognise International Drivers Licenses as being valid for use in Spain. It seems like they don't even know what the laws are themselves, and most people here (at the government services) seem to be very uncooperative.
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Eric Marsella
+34 645 363 208

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Bunty
New Member



Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 3

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 9:34 am

 

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The International Driver's License is valid for driving in Spain but I've just checked and you would need to have a valid Canadian license....so that doesn't help. Also, they have to be issued outside of Spain. Either you will have to get your residency or become a student........or buy a bike! Sorry.

Check out
http://www.dgt.es/iadministracion/3.6.html

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ericmars
New Member



Joined: 08 Jun 2004
Posts: 3
Location: Fuengirola, Spain

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 10:47 am

 

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I have now managed to talk to the SAAQ back home, and it appears as though they will indeed renew it remotely, until 2006. I've got fingers crossed on this, as it is still awaiting "approval". I think the International Drivers License is the way to go..

The link you sent me was for exhanging an EU drivers license for a Spanish one... not a non-EU drivers license such as a Canadian one. (Canada does not have an agreement with Spain).

Do you have any idea where I can find more info on these international driving licenses??
_________________
Eric Marsella
+34 645 363 208

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Bunty
New Member



Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 3

Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2004 12:04 pm

 

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Silly me, I know that Canada and Spain don't have an agreement on this!!

Try Google or www.ask.com for information on the International License.

Good luck.

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