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GENERAL INFO
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_driving_licenceInformation provided by wiki in this topic is reliable.
http://www.statewatch.org/news/2004/feb ... icence.htm===============================
BUT the link below tells you your answer Mole. Scroll down to the relevant paragraphs.
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http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/you ... cences.htmIf the full licence is valid in Spain and if your pal is EU resident/citizen - then that driving licence would be valid in the UK and not the provisional one which the person may have had some years ago before passing the Spanish L test.
There are plans to harmonise all driving tests and have a reciprocal penalty pointing system within EU. They were trying to bring into being by 2013 - but signs are it may be a bit later because of "having to bring new member states to standards required".
I would advise your pal to see a solicitor if being charged with an offence to clarify the situation. If the licence was issued by Spain and is a valid licence (and he's not driving a taxi or minibus etc for a living) - then his licence would allow him to drive a normal private car here just as we can if living in Spain
Note . Wildy did not have to obtain a UK licence as her original licence was issued in Germany. She had to obtain a Swiss driving licence apparently after 12 months in her home land ironically. She simply took their L test.
She's currently adding a USA driving licence to her collection .. or they plan to have one each by Christmas.