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Driving - Licenses - Residency - Parking - Your Car - Essential information

If you require a car in Ibiza, you may wish to drive your car over from the UK. Ferries are from Barcelona/Valencia/Denia.  You may drive it, but are required to register your vehicle in Spain after six months, as you would then be classed as a resident of Spain. This involves changing the registration plates and paying importation fees. Although, as there is no official record of your vehicle entering the country, many people find this is not enforceable in reality. However, when your UK tax and MOT expire, you will not be able to renew these in Spain if it has not been officially registered.
Your UK car insurance usually covers you for up to 90 days abroad, but check your policy as this varies between insurers. If you are staying longer than this, you should consider taking out a Spanish car insurance policy. You will not be able to tax your UK registered car in Spain, but it must hold valid UK car tax and display a tax disc.
If you wish to buy a car once you get to Spain, be aware that you will require a certificado de empadronamiento (a certificate showing that the bearer is a registered inhabitant of the municipality that issued the certificate) or, a NIE number (Numero de Identificacion de Extranjeros) - like a National Insurance number.  This allows you to legally own the car and to obtain Spanish car insurance.  To obtain either the certificado or the NIE number  please see the section on Residency. 
Beware!!  Once obtained, the certificado holder may only keep a UK registered car on the island for a further three months.  In strict terms this is like the old six months rule for foreign cars.  As this is a new regulation, it will probably be enforced with hefty fines (as it has in Mallorca)  and with the impounding of the car until it is then Spanish registered. (expensive & tedious!)

When you buy a car in Spain, the documentation takes from thirty to sixty days. In order to make changes the dealer will need a copy of your passport, NIE number, and if you are a resident, a copy of your residencia or certificado. While waiting for your documents you will be given a Justificante Profesional which is a temporary document giving you permission to drive while waiting!
You must obtain the registration document [permiso de circulación]; the ITV test certificate plus the technical sheet and a photocopy; the road tax receipt and a photocopy; and a receipt for the payment of transfer tax. You have 15 days to register the vehicle in your name. Be sure to obtain the `transfer of ownership' [transferencia] form from the seller. The form is also available from the provincial traffic department.
Insurance:
If you are planning to relocate to Spain ask your insurer for a letter confirming your ‘No Claims’ bonus [bonificacion/systema bonus-malus]. Large companies, such as Direct Line will accept your bonus from your home country. Basic mandatory third party insurance will cost approximately €200, which will cover injury claims of up €330,000. It is always advisable to take additional cover for legal costs [defensa penal], theft [robo] and Roadside assistance
A very useful site if buying/selling in Spain is:
http://www.spainexpat.com/spain/information/buying_and_selling_a_second_hand_car_in_spain/

When driving in Spain your vehicle must contain the following items:

• A full set of spare bulbs, with tools necessary to change bulbs.
• First aid kit.
• 2 red warning triangles.
• Fire extinguisher.
• Spare wheel/tyre and necessary tools required to change.
• If you wear spectacles for driving you must carry a spare pair.
• A reflective waistcoat.

Failure to carry these items may incur an instant fine, €60+ per missing item. If you are on holiday and do not have the cash on you to pay the, your car can be impounded  instantly and you and your family forced to walk to a cash machine in order to pay the fine! Be warned! If you are a resident be sure to carry your documentation.
For more detailed information regarding driving in Spain, there are numerous websites available, such as:

http://www.the-british-in-spain.com/cars.htm

http://www.thisisspain.info/advice/you-and-the-car

Essential information

Chauffeurs

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