British expats in Spain are reportedly facing a driving ban after the government failed to reach an agreement after Brexit on licensing rules.
As of Sunday, UK citizens who have lived in the EU for more than six months will no longer be able to use their DVLA licenses.
Residents of the UK will need to obtain a Spanish license to get behind the wheel, and may have to retake a driving test until an agreement is reached.
The change will not affect holidaymakers visiting the country, who can still use their British driver’s license.
A source in the UK government told the Mail on Sunday that the situation was considered temporary, while the foreign ministry said it was pushing for “speeding up negotiations” with the Spanish government.
“It may take a week or it may take longer. It should be temporary, but we don’t know how temporary, “the source said.
“Despite all the government’s efforts, no agreement has yet been reached”
A foreign ministry spokesman said: “Despite all the efforts of the UK government, no agreement has yet been reached to replace British driving licenses with Spanish ones.
“From 1 May, book holders in the United Kingdom who have resided in Spain for more than six months and have not changed their book during the transitional period will no longer be able to drive legally in Spain.
“This does not affect visitors or touring motorists from the United Kingdom or Gibraltar.
“We have agreed to speed up the negotiations quickly and urge the Spanish government to propose interim measures.
“We remain committed to reaching an agreement and the United Kingdom already has similar agreements with 24 other EU countries.
Until now, British residents in Spain have been able to use their DVLA licenses to move around.
Sir Ian Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, lamented Spain’s delay, telling the newspaper it was “manana, manana” and saying it was “time to do what they agreed to do”.
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