Driving a Spanish reg'd car in the UK?
Discussion
Suppose you have a UK driving license, a car registered in Spain, ITV'd in Spain (their MOT equivalent) and insured in Spain. All above board and ok in Spain.
Are you legally allowed to drive it in the UK?
There was some reports in the english printed weekly rag in Spain, that a couple of such cases had been pulled over in the UK and fined, but it didnt say what for?
Column in question was written by this Brian Deller chap http://www.spainvia.com/
Are you legally allowed to drive it in the UK?
There was some reports in the english printed weekly rag in Spain, that a couple of such cases had been pulled over in the UK and fined, but it didnt say what for?
Column in question was written by this Brian Deller chap http://www.spainvia.com/
Huntsman said:
Suppose you have a UK driving license, a car registered in Spain, ITV'd in Spain (their MOT equivalent) and insured in Spain. All above board and ok in Spain.
Are you legally allowed to drive it in the UK?
No, you're not allowed to drive foreign registered cars in the UK.Are you legally allowed to drive it in the UK?
If it was possible you'd see all manner of French, German, Polish, Spanish and Irish cars in the UK, and that would never do.
I hope so.
I do the same, except that my cars are registered in Belgium. I am a UK national, resident in Belgium.
Don't know what the situation would be for a UK resident driving a foreign-registered car. I think I've read on here that you have 6 months to get the car registered in the UK.
Edit: Slow typing! Interesting question - when I'm in the UK, my car gets regularly driven by one of my friends (he doesn't drink). What would happen if he got stopped? I would be in the car (not necssarily coherent/conscious). All my cars are insured for any driver, so insurance etc. can't be a problem.
I do the same, except that my cars are registered in Belgium. I am a UK national, resident in Belgium.
Don't know what the situation would be for a UK resident driving a foreign-registered car. I think I've read on here that you have 6 months to get the car registered in the UK.
Edit: Slow typing! Interesting question - when I'm in the UK, my car gets regularly driven by one of my friends (he doesn't drink). What would happen if he got stopped? I would be in the car (not necssarily coherent/conscious). All my cars are insured for any driver, so insurance etc. can't be a problem.
Edited by sunbeam_alpine on Monday 7th June 16:31
I think the rule is that you can't drive a foreign registered car with a UK licence in the UK. You can drive a foreign registered car abroad, but the second you bring it to the UK, you need to re-register it as a UK car (and potentially pay VAT and/or import duties).
If you are ordinarily resident in Spain, you should get a Spanish license as soon as you become resident there. If you have a Spanish licence (even if a British citizen), you will be fine. But then driving a UK registered car in Spain is probably banned if you have a Spanish licence.
If you are ordinarily resident in Spain, you should get a Spanish license as soon as you become resident there. If you have a Spanish licence (even if a British citizen), you will be fine. But then driving a UK registered car in Spain is probably banned if you have a Spanish licence.
Edited by Dominicc01 on Monday 7th June 16:56
Dominicc01 said:
I think the rule is that you can't drive a foreign registered car with a UK licence in the UK. You can drive a foreign registered car abroad, but the second you bring it to the UK, you need to re-register it as a UK car (and potentially pay VAT and/or import duties).
If you are ordinarily resident in Spain, you should get a Spanish license as soon as you become resident there. If you have a Spanish licence (even if a British citizen), you will be fine. But then driving a UK registered car in Spain is probably banned if you have a Spanish car.
Thanks everyone.If you are ordinarily resident in Spain, you should get a Spanish license as soon as you become resident there. If you have a Spanish licence (even if a British citizen), you will be fine. But then driving a UK registered car in Spain is probably banned if you have a Spanish car.
Edited by Dominicc01 on Monday 7th June 16:34
So is there an accurate online guide? A .gov one?
hairykrishna said:
You beat me to it by 4 mins.Also here
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/BuyingAndSell...
many years ago I brought my car back to the UK from Italy. I cannot remember how long it was I was able to drive it on Italian plates, but I had to take the car to customs and excise for them to visually check the VIN plate and all the documentation.
They gave me paperwork to take to the DVLA who issued me with new UK plates.
It was a bit of a pain but not too bad, but the Italian end was a nightmare involving having to send my plates back to their transport dept. (which was a shame as the plates were great (Roma)). All my documentation and details of the UK registration.
I seem to also remember that my dad had to slip a bit of cash
to an official to smooth things out!
Oh and I had to take my UK licence after I had been here a full 12 months! I delayed it by keeping going home for college holidays for a couple of years!
They gave me paperwork to take to the DVLA who issued me with new UK plates.
It was a bit of a pain but not too bad, but the Italian end was a nightmare involving having to send my plates back to their transport dept. (which was a shame as the plates were great (Roma)). All my documentation and details of the UK registration.
I seem to also remember that my dad had to slip a bit of cash
to an official to smooth things out!Oh and I had to take my UK licence after I had been here a full 12 months! I delayed it by keeping going home for college holidays for a couple of years!
Edited by Ding on Monday 7th June 17:20
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