Have you been confused about the requirement – or not – to change your UK/EU driving licence for a Spanish one?
The law has changed several times in recent years, but this is the latest information from the British Consulate – far more reliable one of the inevitable pundits holding forth in a local bar!
UK driving licences issued from 1990 and the photocard licence issued from 1997 are accepted in Spain. The minimum age required to drive is 18 years. For information about the photocard driving licence, visit the DVLA website.
Licences issued before 1990 are only accepted if accompanied by an official translation into Spanish (available from the Spanish Embassy in London and the Real Automóvil Club de España if the licence holder is already in Spain). Holders of these may prefer to use an international licence issued anywhere outside Spain.

You may keep your UK licence (if issued after 1990) or exchange it for a Spanish one, subject to the same medical examinations as Spanish nationals.
If you hold an EU driving licence, you also need to hold a medical certificate, the same as a Spanish national. For drivers aged between 18-45, your medical examination is every 10 years. From 45-70 years, every five years and for 70 years of age upwards, every two years. If you are caught for any driving offence and you do not have a medical examination or it is not current, you could be deemed not to have a valid driving licence. If you are ‘resident’ in Spain – rather than just visiting -- it could also impact on the validity of your insurance.
The medical examination is a very simple procedure, concentrating on reaction times and eyesight, and most private medical centres carry them out. Costs vary, but an average cost would be 30-40 euros.
 It is considered advisable to exchange UK licences for Spanish ones (which are valid for visits to the UK), though, as the DVLA won’t put a non-UK address on a replacement licence, or send one out of the UK. Therefore, if your UK licence is lost or stolen in Spain, you will not be able to obtain a replacement licence from the UK. Spanish authorities will not be able to replace one they did not issue. For information on how to apply for a Spanish driving licence, contact the Jefatura Provincial de Trafico in your area.
In line with the medical requirements, Spanish driving licences are valid for ten years if the licence holder is under 45, five years from 45 to 70 years and two years thereafter. To renew a licence, the applicant needs a medical certificate issued by an officially recognised centre.  
One more fact to take into consideration is that if you should get stopped for a traffic offence, in theory, holders of Spanish licences will be summoned to court, where they will probably get a fine and points deducted from their licence. (The Spanish system, completely opposite to the UK one, gives you points to start off with, and they are deducted for offences. When you go beyond zero, then you get banned.)  
However, if stopped while driving with a UK licence, theoretically, you will get an on-the-spot fine but no points.
Therefore, you do have a choice when it comes to driving licences, but any decision should only be made when you have the full and complete facts. For more information, visit: www.ukinspain.fco.gov.uk

 By Tricia Johnson