For the last 2 days now there have been check points on the C12 between Tortosa and Xerta large guardia Van two uniformed Officers and two clip board wielders, they are checking for illegal cars, no insurance, no ITVs in fact all documentation, so if you are not legal beware, they seem to be tightening up!

Actually it appears that they are doing a census on travel, the police are only directing the traffic in, however, surely people shouldn't be worried?  The only worry is whether you are carrying your documents with you, as legally obliged to do.

About time too. It is disgusting that people think that because they are in a different country that they dont need to abide by the law.
No insurance is one of the most dispicable crimes that there is on the road.
And no MOT means that your insurance is invalid. Also no Road Tax will affect any claim that you may have to make.
If you cant afford insurance MOT tax buy a pedal bike.
4That is my rant for day.
:'(

Have we all got Spanish driving licenses then?
Been here more than 6 months?

wrote on Nov 6^th, 2008 at 6:28pm:

About time too. It is disgusting that people think that because they are in a different country that they dont need to abide by the law. No insurance is one of the most dispicable crimes that there is on the road. And no MOT means that your insurance is invalid. Also no Road Tax will affect any claim that you may have to make. If you cant afford insurance MOT tax buy a pedal bike. 4That is my rant for day. :'(

ps I totally agree on this prickly subject CJ

wrote on Nov 6^th, 2008 at 7:01pm:

Have we all got Spanish driving licenses then? Been here more than 6 months?

personnally no and my vehicles are returned to uk for MOT's

As far as I understand it you don't have to have a spanish licence. You can keep your UK(it's an EU Licence anyway) licence if you prefer but it must be registered with the Spanish equivalent of the DVLA. Also if you are on a UK licence you still need to have a medical certificate just as you do with the Spanish licences. I was arranging my sons motorbike licence recently and enquired about the cost of changing my licence and was told it would be about 50 euros.
And finally the Agentes Rurals were in the area recently checking out abandoned(none working) vehicles on fincas. It seems it is an offence to keep these on your land.
Bruixot

Funny thing.  I commented to the other half when we were in Sabeco the other morning about the number of English registered vehicles in the car park, and that I would not be at all surprised if the police didn't start checking on them before too long.

"As far as I understand it you don't have to have a spanish licence. You can keep your UK(it's an EU Licence anyway) licence if you prefer but it must be registered with the Spanish equivalent of the DVLA."

.....presumably this is at the Trafico in Taragona ??????


Also if you are on a UK licence you still need to have a medical certificate just as you do with the Spanish licences......

.....hmmm:   where do we go for this?      

It's a bit like   'did you know'   you need a Cedula de Habitadidad to be legal.  We all have one don't we?   Do we?  

Medical certificate with Spanish licences?

When we changed over to Spanish licences via a gestor we enquired about whether we needed medical certificates and we were informed they are only required when you are 65 or over.

Everyone you speak to gives you a different story.....

Increase in number of road checks may be because the 'Mossos d'Esquadra' are now finally policing the whole of Catalonia.

The Terres de l'Ebre was one of the last areas where they didn't have 'full coverage' as it were.

So I'm sure they will all be terribly keen and eager to show how efficient they are - best make sure you have your documentation with you!

AgentX

Medical certificates are required when you change over your licence every 10 years, so the Spanish have informed me.