Expats In Spain Must Renew Driving Licences After Two Years

Any European citizens, who are residing in Spain for more than a period of two years, are bound to renew their existing driving licences as per the new EU regulations.

According to the published online press release, the law came into force in a recent meeting regarding the renewal of the existing driving licences under new EU regulations between the two parties. The one party is Spanish traffic authority and the other is the representatives from the consulates of the 28 European member states.

Only the official resident of Spain, living for the period of two or more years with effect from the starting of 19th January, 2013 are coming under the implementation of the EU citizens rule.

The person who is getting a residence certificate after this date will be subject to be renewed two years after first becoming resident. Thus, if you become a resident in Spain on the date of 21st of February 2014, then after just two years, on the date of 21st of February 2016, as per the Spanish authorities, you will be liable to renew your driving license.

The rule is however applied to 15 years or more licences for motorcycles and cars of Group 1 type and 5 year licences Group 2 larger vehicle categories.

How to Apply to Renew Your Licence:

Step One: Go to the Spanish traffic authority website or call them on 060.

Step Two: After making the contact, you need to renew your licence on the second appointment. For that you need to take a basic aptitude and fitness test.

For applying for a new licence, you need the below documents:

• One photograph 
• Duly filled application form 
• Passport 
• Address Proof 
• Original driving licence along with a duplicate copy 
• Receipt of the renewal fee of €23.50

The following are the questions which will be asked to you while you are applying a new driving licence for the first time.

The driving test questions are also known as the show me, tell me questions.

Some of the 'show me' questions which the examiner would ask are as below.

1. Show how to check that the directions indicators work?
2. Show how would you know that the brake lights are working for this car? 
3. Explain how you would check that the power assisted steering is working before you start your journey? 
4. How would you check the parking brake for excessive wear? 
5. How would you switch on the windscreen and wipers and what does it do?

Some of the 'Tell me' questions which the examiner would ask are as below.

1. How would you check before a journey that the brakes are working? 
2. Identify where the windscreen water reservoir is and explain how to check the windscreen washer level? 
3. How tyre pressures should be checked and where would you find information for recommended tyre pressures? 
4. How do you make sure that the head restraint is correctly adjusted to provide the best protection? 
5. How do you check the tyres to ensure that their general condition is safe to use on road?

The intention of applying the rule is to ensure the implementation of standardization for the entire Spain to use the same EU style driving licence along with increasing road safety aspect.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Carlos_Del_Castillo/2121332