Driving licence medical

[Wicksey]

We have received a text reminder from the clinic that carried out my OH's medical test that his licence is reaching expiration. Our licences were changed from the UK ones in 2019 but the expiry date on the back is our original ones from our UK licences, ie 2028. I can't see anywhere that they need renewing before we are 70. (I was stopped for speeding the other week and the very nice Guardia Civil man never queried anything on my licence )

[gerryh]

Have a look at the back of your Spanish driving licences.
It shows the expiry date of the various licence classes.
My class for a HGV towing a trailer had expired.
I didn't renew my licence for that class.
Cheers
Gerry

[Wicksey]

That's the expiry dates I have, 2028 when I am 70 for both classes B and BE. So presumably no action is needed.

[peteroldracer]

Rules are: “The possession of a driving licence allows the driver to be able to drive the majority of vehicles. The AM, A1, A2, A, and B licences have to be renewed every 10 years up until the age of 65, and from age 65 onward, every 5 years.“
The time allowed may be shortened if there are doubts about your medical condition, e.g my renewal following diagnosis of type2 diabetes needing insulin injections was for only 4 years, then because my condition had been well-controlled the next renewal went back to five years.

[Wicksey]

We were 60 when we got our Spanish licences. Now we're 65 so if we need to renew them every 5 years after 65 that will be when we're 70, ie the date that is on my licence, 2028.

[Curiouse]

I am 73 and every website i have read states that over 70 the renewal is every 2 years but mine and friends also over 70 have al been given 5 years . The new rules were supposed to have been passed in September 2023 and came into force from end of December 2023 , dont understand why even trusted websites have it wrong .

The other anomaly is the charge , here the test centres both charges 48 euros for everything , the medical , coordination test , taking the photo and filling in and sending away the application , the 48 euros which would obviously include the official fee of 23.50 everyone is still charged 48 euros , the same websites including official ones say they the fee is waived for over 70s but both test centres still charge 48 euros irrespective of the applicants age .

[peteroldracer]

I don’t know which websites you have been reading but surely the only one that counts is the DGT.es one?
This clearly states that there is no fee to renew the licence when over 70, only for the medical, and the renewal periods are clearly stated.
https://www.dgt.es/nuestros-servicios/p ... e-65-anos/

[El Cid]

It was going to change for 2 years, but it has now gone back to 5. Mine has just been renewed for 3 years just to add to the confusion.

Always remember, that in Spain the authorities make up the rules as they go from day to day.

Sid

[Curiouse]

Thanks Sid , that's explained why were all getting 5 years , i can only think the test centres are just pocketing the DGT fee .

[peteroldracer]

When we first renewed the centre in Velez-Málaga had a price list displayed showing reduced fees for age.

[Manchesteral]

Sorry, nothing to do with Andalucia but, My tax residence is Finland when I returned here from exile in Las Palmas in 2021 my licence was about to expire so I dutifully went to "Traficom where I took a simple health examination which was good for three years, I have recently received notification that my new examination needs to be performed by an oncology specialist, I have no Idea why, I guess different countries have different rules!

[El Cid]

Do you mean you have a Spanish licence or a Finnish one? If you are not a Spanish resident you can't have a Spanish licence. If you have a Finnish licence this is not the right forum to ask!

Sid

[Manchesteral]

Do you mean you have a Spanish licence or a Finnish one? If you are not a Spanish resident you can't have a Spanish licence. If you have a Finnish licence this is not the right forum to ask!

Sid

I stated at the beginning of my post that it was nothing to do with andalucia, just a general question, thinking that perhaps someone in Spain has had the same experience!

[El Cid]

This forum is for members living or having a property in Andalucia, or considering the possibility of doing so.. Any subject outside this brief can be posted on Amigos Lounge, which covers general topics. Posting non locally relevant issues in an existing thread can cause confusion.

However, to answer your question, in Spain, certain medical conditions can affect your right to drive and in some cases it may be necessary for a doctor to approve your ability to drive. One example I can think of is the case of a friend who had a pacemaker/defibrillator fitted. That requires a confirmation, after 6 months of fitting, that the defibrillator was not activated during that period. There are similar requirements for epileptics etc.

However, in Spain there does not appear to be any connection between records of medical procedures and telling the licensing authorities about them. As a result, many people are driving who should not be. The medical test that is required periodically is very laid back and does not have access to your medical records. For example, they ask about any medication you are on or any medical issues, but you can just say that you have no medication or medical issues. About the only way you can fail the test is your vision. If it is not OK, you will fail.

That said, the biggest risk of keeping quiet about your medical problems lies with your car insurance. Failure to advise them of any serious medical problems could invalidate your insurance in the case of an accident - we all know how insurance companies will use any excuse to avoid paying out!

Sid