MEDICALS FOR those expats who have
foreign e.g. UK driving licences (DLs) - AGAIN.
Over the last few of years
I have advised, based on my research which has been confirmed by other
authorities including Spanish lawyers, about the need for those expats who
have a foreign EU driving licence, and who are resident here, that
is they live here for 183 plus days per calendar year, and pay their taxes
here, this being their main place of residence, about the need for
having periodical medicals.
But still there are people
out there who argue with me because a Spanish gestor, or a clerk at a
medical centre where the medicals are taken (Centros de Reconocimientos
Medicos de Conductores) has told them it is not necessary, but IT IS.
Many of the Spanish gestors
and medical clerks do not know the laws as they apply to extranjeros
(foreigners) as has been and still is being proven.
I have asked those who
disagree to provide me with written official evidence, or a website
address for the EU or Spanish government that shows that it is no longer a
necessity, but no one has been able to provide anything.
Here are the main points
with reference to the need for the periodical medicals if you have a
foreign EU DL:
1.Click:
www.spainvia.com/drivelicenceletteradsl.htm.
This is in this web-site and
reference to para 3 is your necessary reading matter. It confirms
the need for medicals in Spain which are differing periods depending on
age and type of driving licence.
2.
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/home/drivinglicence/faq/002_en.htm
This is the original EU Directive information on the
subject.
3. Copy of a FAQ answer in English
on the subject in the EU Info web-site. (My underlining):
Article 1.3 of Directive
91/439/EEC enables Member States to apply the same periods of validity and
the same frequency of medical examinations for holders of driving
licences issued by another Member State and having taken up normal
residence in their territory as are applied to holders of national
licences. The new period of validity is to be applied with effect
from taking up residence. For determining the applicable
validity period you are advised to consult the comparative view of
validity periods in part I, section B.1. of the Commission Interpretative
Communication on Community driver licensing (which has been published on
28 March 2002) and the local issuing authorities in your country of
residence.
SPAIN INSISTS ON THE SAME RULES FOR ALL
DRIVERS LIVING IN SPAIN REGARDLESS OF THEIR DRIVING LICENCE COUNTRY OF
ISSUE.
As a resident in Spain, when your
foreign EU DL expires at say age 70 (UK DLs), you have to change it for a
Spanish one (unless you are moving elsewhere out of Spain, of course)
which is easy to do and is explained in detail in my book. Even if
you have a foreign EU DL, you need to take the medicals. If
you do not take the medicals, legally it will have expired then.
PLEASE REMEMBER; IGNORANCE OF THE LAW
IS NEVER ACCEPTED IN COURT: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW THE
LAWS AND THAT IS WHY I WROTE THE BOOK,
MOTORING IN SPAIN;
INITIALLY BECAUSE I WANTED TO KNOW THE LAWS MYSELF.
IF YOU WOULD RATHER SPEND THE
€22,95 on
a "bar-meal" for two, that is your decision but when you are subsequently
in trouble with the law etc, you have only yourself to blame.
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Perhaps the above is a
little blunt, but I am tired of some people believing what suits
them (that is human nature) rather than the facts and I would rather
hurt some peoples' feelings than be a "Told you so" at a later date.
I receive about 20 emails a week with
90% of them in trouble with the law that could have been avoided if the
person had done the correct thing and read up on the laws when they
first arrived in spain.
The emails and calls that i have
received thanking me for writing the book though have made it all worth
while.
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