Latest news with #DGT
Local Spain
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- Local Spain
Spain to allow foreign driving licence exchange to be done online
Residents in Spain will soon be able to validate their foreign driving licences online, avoiding the painstaking process of doing the documentation via Spain's Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT) offices when wanting to register, validate or/and exchange them. The digitalisation of the process is intended to speed up bureaucratic backlogs and a lack of available in-person appointments. As is sometimes the case with Spanish administration, especially with residency matters, as reported by The Local, even getting an appointment at the DGT can be difficult enough. In recent months, the issue has become so severe that Spanish daily El País has described it as 'an almost impossible mission'. In addition to the few appointments that are available, these tend to be taken by private companies or individuals who block book them. A lack of DGT staff working in the branch also contributes to the scarcity of physical appointments. This means that basic DGT procedures can take weeks or even months. The body acknowledges that validating foreign driving licences is among 'the most complex procedures' that exist. The exchange process can be long and frustrating. First, prior verification by the issuing authority is required. Then there is a medical examination, proof of residence in Spain and, in the case of driving professionals, an aptitude test. This includes several documents and often several trips to the DGT office. The online system is intended to speed up this process, but the streamlined telemática validation service can only be used with drivers from countries with which a bilateral agreement on reciprocal recognition and exchange of driving licences has been signed. The DGT breaks down the relevant countries on its website, but these include non-EEA states such as: Andorra, Argentina, Algeria, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Philippines, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Macedonia, Morocco, Moldavia, Nicaragua, New Zealand, the UK, Panama, Paraguay, Serbia, South Korea, Tunisia and Turkey. Drivers with licences from all other non-EU nations have to resit their driving exam (theory and practical) after six months of residency in Spain. Those with licences from the EU and the EEA are allowed to drive in Spain with their current licences, as long as they have not expired. If your licence doesn't expire in less than 15 years, you can carry on using your EU licence, but are also free to exchange it any time you want. According to the DGT, this process is voluntary. When you want to exchange your licence for a Spanish one or if it expires, you can do so through the DGT in a process called renovación del permiso comunitario. When doing the online application, the DGT will ask for all the relevant documents and applicants need only go to the nearest provincial DGT headquarters to hand in their original licence (which must be valid) and to pick up a provisional driving licence. The approved licence will later be sent to your home address by post. In order to access the DGT's so-called ' Electronic Headquarters ', users must be registered in Cl@ve system or have a digital certificate. Applicants must indicate which class of licence they want to exchange. If they opt for a lorry or bus licence, additional tests must be taken, depending on the country. Note that if the driving licence to be exchanged was issued by Algeria, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, the Philippines, Georgia, Guatemala, Honduras, Macedonia, Morocco, Moldavia, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Serbia, Tunisia or Turkey, before exchanging the licence, a prior verification of the licence is requested from the country that issued it and only when the relevant issuing body responds can the online exchange application process continue. Once the issuing country has replied to the verification request, the applicant will receive an email informing them whether the request has been rejected or accepted. If it has been accepted, a 'locator' will be provided to continue with the exchange request. 'The country's response includes the date the licence was obtained, the expiry date and the renewal date of the licence being exchanged,' the DGT said in a statement. In the event that an applicant holds a licence from the countries that do not require a locator to be provided prior to the application (Argentina, Andorra, United Kingdom, Peru, Ukraine, Uruguay, Japan, Switzerland, Korea and Monaco) the system will move directly to the exchange request.
Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Spain holiday warning with £170 fine for tourist phone zombies
Spain has launched a fresh crackdown on a specific group of pedestrians known as 'phone zombies' as it looks to cut down on road accidents in the country Holidaymakers caught wandering dangerously with their phones in Spain could be slapped with a hefty fine. Spain has initiated a tough new campaign against careless pedestrian conduct to tackle the surge in street mishaps – and it spells trouble for holidaymakers addicted to their smartphones. The Spanish traffic authority, the Dirección General de Tráfico (DGT), has delivered a stern caution to those who wander the pavements engrossed in their devices. Under fresh rules, pedestrians caught using their mobile phones while walking, particularly close to or on streets, could face an €80 (£67) penalty, while graver infractions like jaywalking may incur fines up to €200 (£170). Officials have identified the growing problem of "phone zombies" – individuals who meander into traffic while engrossed in texting or browsing – as a significant danger not only to themselves but also to other road users. READ MORE: Five major new railways that will transform European train travel In a direct message posted on its social media platforms, the DGT stated: "Use the zebra crossings properly, they're there for a reason. Don't use your phone while crossing, no, not even for a selfie. Eyes up, feet down, and only step out if it's safe for you and the drivers." The statement continued with clear instructions: "Obey traffic signals. Stay off motorways and dual carriageways, they're for wheels, not heels," emphasising that the clampdown is vital for "safe mobility for all." Particularly, tourists planning trips to popular destinations like Majorca are being cautioned, reports the Express. Authorities on the island, which has long been subject to complaints about both local and tourist driving standards, are facing increasing pressure to address traffic chaos and pedestrian risks. The problem is only anticipated to escalate as a proposal is being considered to permit learner drivers to practice with experienced drivers, not just instructors, at the helm. As Spanish roads become increasingly challenging for both drivers and pedestrians, both tourists and locals are being encouraged to pay more attention and look up from their phones, or they could face a substantial fine whilst on holiday. There are plenty of other laws in place across Spain designed to control behaviour. In Alicante for example there are heavy fines for noisy tourists. Recently the city tightened versions of their 2019 rules placed by the city council. These simple rules against tourist noise pollution, however, could cost Brits over £25,000 if breached. The country as a whole has declared that tourists will now be fined as high as £8,000 for not having legal proof of their accommodation whilst travelling. This translates into a booking confirmation letter or email - which is easy enough for hotel stayers, but for those visiting friends and family that reside there, proof becomes a lot more complicated. Cities like Benidorm have announced a new change to their tourist law: a beach fine for any who steps onto its sandy coasts between midnight and 7 AM. In an effort to preserve its beaches and prevent potential crime, Benidorm's fines are a significant sum that can land between £640 and £1,030 and will also target romantics opting for a night-time swim or sleeping under the stars.
NDTV
09-05-2025
- Health
- NDTV
DGT Spain: These Illnesses To Restrict Driving License Renewal; Should India Follow Too?
In a significant effort to improve road safety, Spain's Directorate General of Traffic (DGT) has updated its medical guidelines. These guidelines specify certain health conditions that may disqualify individuals from renewing their driver's licenses. The goal of these measures is to ensure that all drivers have the necessary physical and mental capabilities to operate vehicles safely on public roads. As India faces its own road safety challenges, this development raises a discussion on whether similar measures should be implemented in the nation. In Spain, there are no specific age limits for drivers. Currently, over 4 million licensed drivers are 65 years old or older. The general manager of the DGT has highlighted that psychological and physical examinations will be routinely updated. This process ensures that all drivers, regardless of age, are assessed based on contemporary standards. The DGT has identified several medical conditions that may impair driving abilities. Individuals diagnosed with these conditions could face restrictions or be considered unfit to renew their driving licenses. Key conditions include: Acute Myocardial Infarction Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Automatic Defibrillator Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Dissection Digestive Diseases Degenerative, Neurological, and Chronic Diseases Dementia or Anxiety Disorder Depression Endocrine Diseases Epilepsy Heart Disease Hypothyroidism and Parathyroid Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Intellectual Developmental Disorder Kidney Transplant Neurological Diseases Nephropathy With Dialysis Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Oncohematic Disorders. Oncological Diseases Pacemaker Parkinson Personality Disorder Respiratory Diseases Sleep Disorders Valve Prostheses Vascular Problems In Spain, all drivers must undergo a medical examination at an authorized Driver Recognition Centre (Centro de Reconocimiento de Conductores) when renewing their licenses. This examination evaluates vision, hearing, coordination, and overall health. Additionally, the DGT (Directorate-General for Traffic) plans to increase the difficulty of psychophysical tests for individuals aged 70 and over. However, in India, the process for renewing a driving license is regulated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Drivers under 50 years generally do not need a medical exam unless applying for a commercial license but for those over 50 years of age or with specific health issues are required to submit a medical certificate (Form 1A) signed from a registered medical doctor. In India renewing a driving license is regulated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways India has one of the highest road accident rates in the world. Implementing stricter health criteria for driving license renewals, similar to Spain's approach, could help reduce accidents due to medical impairments. This would require careful consideration of the country's diverse population and healthcare infrastructure, as well as ensuring access to medical exams and updated health records. Spain's initiative to improve road safety by implementing stringent health-based driving license renewals is something that India could consider. Although the benefits in reducing accidents are apparent, adopting similar measures in India would require a customized approach that addresses the country's unique challenges. A balanced policy that emphasizes both road safety and practical feasibility could lead to safer driving conditions across the nation.
Daily Tribune
29-04-2025
- Daily Tribune
Massive blackout hits Spain and Portugal
Power went out across all of Spain and Portugal yesterday, cutting cellphone and internet networks, halting trains and trapping people in elevators, officials said. Spain's government was scrambling to identify the origin of the huge outage, with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez going to the headquarters of the state electricity network operator to be briefed. The operator, Red Electrica, said it would likely take six to 10 hours to restore power in the country and urged people not to speculate as to the cause of the outage. Images posted on social media showed metro stations plunged into darkness, with trains halted, and people in offices and hallways using the light on their phones to see. The national road authority DGT told motorists to stop driving, because stop lights were out, forcing vehicles to slow to avoid collisions and police officers to direct traffic at intersections. AFP journalists in Madrid and Barcelona saw people coming out into the streets, holding their smartphones up to try to connect to a network. People were also trapped in lifts, Spanish media reported. The internet activity monitoring site Netblocks told AFP the blackout caused a 'loss of much of the country's digital infrastructure'. It said web connections plunged to just 17 percent of normal usage. Flights delayed Portugal's REN operator said in a statement to AFP that all the Iberian peninsula was affected by the blackout, adding that the outage occurred around midday. There was also a brief blackout in southwest France, that country's electricity operator said, but power was now restored. 'An electrical incident is currently affecting Spain and Portugal, the cause of which remains to be determined,' France's high-voltage grid operator RTE said. The European Commission was in contact with Spain and Portugal 'to understand the underlying cause' of the outage, a spokesperson said.
Local Spain
29-04-2025
- Local Spain
Is everything back to normal in Spain after the nationwide blackout?
States of emergency were called in several regions of the country on Monday including in Andalusia, Extremadura, La Rioja, Madrid, Murcia, Castilla-La Mancha, Galicia and Valencia, following the failure of the electrical system, but many other areas were also left without power and chaos was seen throughout the country. According to REE power operator, electricity had been restored to more than 99 percent of mainland Spain by Tuesday morning. This means life is returning to some sense of normality for the majority of people across the country who now have power back in their homes and businesses, as well as working internet once again. However, the Spanish government has said that getting everything completely back to normal is going to be a process which could take a little bit longer. Transport was one of the sectors most affected by the blackout and thousands of people were stuck on trains, at stations or in metro carriages. Many people spent an uncomfortable night sleeping on the floor of places such as Atocha train station in Madrid or Sants station in Barcelona, unable to get back home or continue their journeys. Some were even stuck on trains for 10 or more hours waiting to be rescued or for the power to return so they could continue their journeys. As of Tuesday morning, there were still around 1,000 people waiting at Sants station in Barcelona to catch a high-speed train to Madrid. A number of train lines have also been affected, so if you're planning on travelling today you might still find some disruption. Spain's Transport Minister Óscar Puente has said that some train lines have been cancelled until further notice, this includes regional Cercanías trains in and around Bilbao, Cádiz, Seville, Zaragoza, Vigo and San Sebastián. Madrid's Cercanías commuter train system is operating at 50 percent this morning, and in Valencia some lines have been restored but with 'reduced services'. Spain's state rail operator Renfe confirms that they have resumed normal service between Madrid and Barcelona, Valencia, Murcia, Alicante, the Basque Country, and Algeciras. According to data from the Ministry of Transport, 48,638 people were unable to travel on Monday during the blackout, so many of them will be looking to travel today instead, put extra strain on the system. Airport operator AENA says that 'all airports remain operational', but they recommend that 'passengers check the status of public transportation services to airports and consult with their airline about the status of their flight'. As for drivers, the General Directorate of Traffic (DGT) has asked citizens this Tuesday to avoid using the roads unless strictly necessary. If you must travel, the DGT recommends 'drive with caution and take extreme care until normal traffic conditions are restored'. Schools remain back to normal and operational in some parts of the country, but in others classes have been cancelled. Schools in Madrid, Andalusia, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, Galicia, La Rioja, Murcia, Valencia, and Aragón have reopened their doors this Tuesday, but have postponed all lessons. As well as having no electricity, no phone signal and no internet, some residents also had to deal with a cut in water supplies too. This was the case for some areas of Barcelona. Aigües de Barcelona reported this morning that they have restored water service to a large part of the metropolitan area, which has been affected since Monday due to the power outage. Other areas expected to have normal service in the coming hours.
