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Local police across Spain have begun to implement tighter controls on British cars that have not changed their registration plates or whose MOT has expired, after having been granted greater powers of detection in the UK-Spain driving licence deal.

 

Part of the reason that the deal to allow Brits resident in Spain to drive again using their UK licences and to exchange them for Spanish ones is that the Spanish negotiators wanted more access to the DVLA database in the UK.

 

As a result, since the deal was finally ratified into law on March 16, 2023, the Spanish authorities have been able to monitor more closely which UK vehicles were uninsured or untaxed in Spain and those which, having been in the country for more than the legally allowed amount of time, should have changed their number plate to a Spanish one but didn’t.

 

UK and foreign registered vehicles in Spain are obliged to switch to a new Spanish number plate after six months if they belong to a non-resident in Spain and after 30 days if they belong to someone who is a legal resident.

 

Police now have more tools to be able to tow the vehicles of anyone breaking these rules, such as the one pictured which was impounded in the municipality of Mazarrón recently for having an expired MOT.

 

It is a legal requirement for all vehicles that are not merely passing through Spain on holiday to be registered with Spanish number plates, as well as have a valid ITV (the Spanish equivalent of an MOT) and be fully insured.

 

Don’t risk it. Drive safe and legally on the Spanish roads!