There are new rules regarding driving licences in Spain,
as from 19th. January 2013.
One link maybe you worth looking at,
costaconsultingbureau.com

I heard and read that Medicals have been neccesary for years. There was a case of a woman not at fault in an accident being charged for having invalid insurance due to not having a medical in a Spanish car with aUK licence.
Bruixot

http://costaconsultingbureau.com/tag/vehicles/

In accordance with the new law, a friend of mine with a uk licence has just gone  for the  medical, taking with him , new passport photos, and 53 euros. they gave him the medical and test, mainly (eyesight ). They then said that his details were now reg at the traffico, and he must go to Tarragona to get a Spanish Licence.. They protested that according to the new law, all that was required was a medical, certificate, to go with his EU licence. The powers that be, simply repeated that his driving licence details were now registered at traffico, and he could go and obtain a Spanish licence for 26 euros.. He has now given up his rights to a Uk driving licence, which is not what he wanted to do..Is this just a way of the powers that be getting to know who is where, and obtaining even more money from Brits. Has anyone else had any experience of this.. :(

Have read an interesting article this morning, regarding the new rules with driving licences.
www.tumbit.com
headed DGT clarifies U.K./Spanish driving licences.

This is the full link (thanks Rita)

http://www.tumbit.com/news/articles/6681-dgt-clarifies-uk-spanish-driving-licence-requirements.html

Basically it is only if you have the old paper driving licence that you need to do anything. Scare over for most of us I would imagine.
That can be a problem with the half stories and rumours that go around sometimes  ::)

Thanks for clarifying that ddspain and rita.  I'm surprised that there are people living over here who still have the paper ones rather than the European photocard one I must admit.  I thought you had to have a European one if you changed your address.

Hi pondgirl I still have the old paper one ,and always get a funny look when I hire a car these days ,I am sure you are correct that once you change your address you get the new type, I bet there is a charge for this LOL ;D isn't there always these days.

Rules used to be, that if you changed your address there was no charge for new licence.
Who knows now?

It's still free according to the DVLA website although you have to pay £20 to change your photo.

philmountains wrote on Jan 26^th, 2013 at 4:13pm:

Hi pondgirl I still have the old paper one ,and always get a funny look when I hire a car these days ,I am sure you are correct that once you change your address you get the new type, I bet there is a charge for this LOL ;D isn't there always these days.

Phil,  For a couple of quid you would get a "European" compliant UK driving licence ie one with your photo on. (These Foreign types do like ID!) However,these have to be renewed every 10 years,as the powers that be do say our faces change beyond recognition in that time! (Sure,its just another way to get a further 20 quid from you!). But i suppose the coppers in darkest skipton are not so worried about which driving licence you carry.  ;)

My UK driving licence expired this month so I took the decision to change to a Spanish one and I can tell you that the medical cost 45€ and I understand that the new licence will cost me an extra 26€.

Just had to do my photo for the UK licence. Hadn't noticed that it had run out which could have been alkward with the mossos. Looked online and found out that, if you have a fairly recent passport then they will take the photo from that without having to post anything in. Still want £20 of course. I've done that and now waiting for it to be forwarded on.

Do you have to provide a permanent UK address to do this Pete?

Okay, so does anyone else know...do you have to provide a permanent UK address in order to renew your uk licence?

Yes! ;)

Thank you Ebrovoice.  It wasn't a trick question, honest.  Just trying to decide if it is better to pretend to still be living in the UK or admitting that we actually live here now. :)

If you have a Spanish driving licence that has expired and apply for an UK one at another address they will ask you to return your Sp licence and a date you returned to the Uk - so gather your facts ad diarize them somewhere safely...ce la vie without prejudice. :-/

Pretty sure you do, as the address is on your licence.

Thanks dd that was why I was wondering because I thought Planes Pete lived here.  Mine isn't due to run out for a couple of years yet but I was wondering what the Mossos would do if I showed them a licence with one address and insurance with another.  If I can't get a UK licence with a Spanish address I presume I will have to get a Spanish one.