Spain is a popular tourist destination for many British holidaymakers as millions of Brits are expected to head abroad this summer. Many travellers rent a car during their holiday but a new rule could now see tourists hit by fines.
According to The Telegraph, the Spanish government is insisting that the UK hands over access to the vehicle owner database. This is so Spanish authorities can chase holidaymakers with fines if they leave the country.
The Manchester Evening News reports that those visiting Spain could return from their holiday with fines waiting for them. Last week, Madrid refused to extend their rules allowing long-term British residents of Spain to drive with their UK driving licences. It resulted in thousands of people in rural parts of the country being stranded.
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María José Aparicio of Spain's DGT driver and vehicle licensing authority told the Telegraph: “We never wanted to upset British residents”. She added: “The plan is that once they have been able to apply for the swap, hopefully in a few weeks, they can start driving again while the application is processed.”
While progress appears to be being made on this side of the deal, Spanish authorities are complaining the British government is acting too slowly when it comes to the exchanging of driver databases. The UK is “dragging its feet”, claimed Ms Aparacio.
Spain’s demand for the establishment of an automated database to deliver fines is understood to be key in ongoing negotiations. The country sees the onus as being on Britain to move the talks forward due to it having left the Brussels bloc, reports the ECHO.
Ms Aparicio said: “This situation was provoked by Britain leaving the EU. We expect a bit more of an effort to reach a deal."
UK government sources, however, told the Telegraph no other country had made this demand. They added a system was already in place allowing Spanish authorities to request driver information on a case-by-case basis.
