UNITED KINGDOM

European Community and European Economic Area

Licences issued in the European Community and European Economic Area, make up two groups that are treated equally. The full list is:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Visitors

If you hold a valid community licence and are visiting GB, you can drive any vehicle if your licence is valid. The appropriate full entitlement for the vehicle you wish to drive must be shown on your licence.

Residents

If you have a valid community licence, this will authorise you to drive in GB for the period set out below. Alternatively, you can exchange your licence for a British one at any time.

Provided your licence remains valid you may drive in GB: Car, motorcycle driving licence holders (ordinary driving licence):

• until aged 70 or for three years after becoming resident, whichever is the longer period

Lorry, minibus, bus driving licence holders (vocational driving licence):

• until aged 45 or for five years after becoming resident, whichever is the longer period
• if you are aged over 45 (but under 65) until your 66th birthday or for five years after becoming resident, whichever is the shorter period
• if you are aged 65 or over for 12 months after becoming resident

In order to continue driving after these periods, you must get a British driving licence.

FRANCE

European Community and European Economic Area

Licences issued in the European Community and European Economic Area, make up two groups that are treated equally. The full list is:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

The conditions of validity of recognition and exchange are fixed by a ministerial decree of February 8, 1999.

If you hold a valid driving licence from an E.U. or EEA member state, it is valid in France. You may request an exchange, but it is not obligatory. This is providing the licence was originally issued by country or state recognised by the French reciprocal licence exchange.

An exchange becomes compulsory if the licence holder commits a driving offence in France - this is so that points can be retracted.

Note: If you exchange your licence for a French one, it can simplify things in case of loss or theft and in the case of getting motor insurance. However, after the French licence has been issued, your original will be withdrawn and returned to the issuing authority.

Note: Despite the fact that valid E.U. licences need not be exchanged, national legislation in different E.U. countries may create a situation in which a licence becomes invalid. For example, holders of UK licences are required to inform the DVLA of any change in their address by filling in the appropriate form and posting it off with their licence. However, if the DVLA receives a foreign address it does not update the licence but rather posts off a document stating that the holder is entitled to a licence, which can then be used to get a French licence.

To request a licence exchange

Apply to your Préfecture for the form Cerfa n°11247 demande d'échange de permis de conduire. You must provide:

• proof of identity: your passport, residence permit or carte de séjour (copy both sides)
• proof of address: EDF bill or rental contract
• your original driving licence (you may need to provide an official translation by an traductE.U.r expert-juré, - particularly in the case of non-E.U. licence exchanges - contact details available at your  Mairie or Préfecture)
• if you are student, show proof of student's status for a period of at least six months
• proof of no suspensions or limitations on your existing licence
• 2 identity photographs (black & white or colour size: 3.5x3.5)
• photocopies of all documents. 
• stamped, self-addressed envelope

The licence will be exchanged for one in the equivalent category. Once you receive your French licence, your original is taken from you. There is a fee payable for an exchange.

SPAIN

European Community and European Economic Area

Licences issued in the European Community and European Economic Area, make up two groups that are treated equally. The full list is:

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Republic of Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom.

Holders of an E.U. Driving Licence

All valid EEC (European Economic Community) driving licences are valid in Spain provided that the licence holder is 18 years or older (18 being the minimum driving age in Spain). There is no obligation for the licence to be exchanged for Spanish one. The EEC includes all European Union countries, Norway, Island and Lichtenstein.

The foreign E.U. driver will still need to register with the traffic authorities within six months of moving to Spain. Details must be registered with the Central Register of Drivers and Minor Offenders (Registro central de Conductores e Infractores) of the Provincial Traffic Headquarters (Jefatura Provincial de Tráfico) of their place of residence.

Once registered, they will need to undergo a medical examination to show mental and physical fitness and the standards that apply to Spanish drivers will apply to them.

Exchanging an EEC licence for a Spanish licence

The holder of an EEC driving licence may exchange it for an equivalent Spanish licence. Application must be made at the Provincial Traffic Headquarters of the applicant's province of residence.

Necessary documentation:

• Completed application form issued by the Provincial Traffic Headquarters
• Photocopy (and original) of the passport along with the NIE number (Número de Identificación de Extranjer) as proof of address in Spain
• Two recent photographs (32 by 25 mm)
• Declaration in writing stating that the applicant has not been banned or suspended from driving
• Declaration in writing stating that the applicant does not hold another driving licence of the same class in another country
• The licence being exchanged and a photocopy of it

Geneva and Vienna Road Traffic Conventions
Signatories to Geneva Road Traffic Convention