Unfortunately, it depends 100% on the mood of the officer who pulls you over, which in turn depends on your attitude at the time.

In the ten years I have lived here, I've been pulled over many times for spot checks and once for speeding - the day after a speed limit sign was moved, so I wasn't on my own!

In all cases, you need to be as co-operative and helpful as possible and don't get annoyed - even if you are in a hurry and are late for something!

In that time, I've never changed my license to a Spanish one. In fact I still have the old A4 sized green paper driving license and have never had any problems when showing it to the police. The last time was a couple of weeks ago driving back home from Playa Paraiso.

It doesn't get you out of driving offences here entirely though as they have on the spot fines. They can't however put points on your license, though knowing the way things work here, they may well 'tot them up' if you are a serious offender and confiscate your car when your tally reaches a certain point!

What I have been told on many occasions though is that with a residencia as proof that you live here, you can't be done for driving offences in the UK - as there isn't an on the spot fine system there and all the police paperwork is set up only for UK residents.

I've never tested this theory and it's probably just a myth, even though it does sound plausible. Things could well have changed back in the UK.

Barrie

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I've lived here for almost 4 years, and never been stopped once. Do you drive a white van?

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γνωθι σεαυτόν. And on the eighth day, god made the fossils

yes but i think its against the law to still have you paper license as it still has your uk address on and you dont live there, it has to be changed even in the uk when you move house so where would you stand then?

@Janet, would you put a sticky in the paper trail section on how to get a UK License inscribed? (for dummies, please )

I also have a car in the UK. Would my 'Tenerife inscribed' UK license be a problem when I drive in the UK?

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Need someone to write this who knows what they're talking about with the practicalities of doing this. I know the rules, but I don't do inscriptions or canjes, so don't feel competent to write the piece.

Golden Maniac is going to be writing some things up for us this weekend, I really hope ... and this might be one of the things she is writing. If not, I'll see if I can impose on her to write this up too ... and then stick it in The Paper Trail, of course.

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Janet Anscombe Associates
The Tenerife Experts
for anyone living in or moving to Tenerife
Visit our website www.janetanscombe.com

I surrendered my UK license as it was literally falling apart. When I did use it though, I always had a copy of my PASSPORT for ID, not residencia, as that is of course proof that you live here. As dede says, since I´ve had the Spanish one never had a problem. We work late so get pulled over at least 3 or 4 times per year, and my hubby, on the other hand, does get hassle over his UK license, even though it is inscribed by traffico. He once had 2 Guardia Civil arguing amoungst themselves as to whether is was legal or not. So it would appear the boys in green are not completely au fait with the situation. Thats Tenerife, so do whats best for you.

I got my UK (folded paper) licence inscribed when I was resident in Tenerife. That was prompted by my Spanish stepson receiving a 450 euro fine for not having his inscribed. I don't remember all the details of the process but it was pretty simple and started with a visit to Tráfico in Sta. Cruz, where I just asked what to do and was guided by them. I had to go back a few days later to collect the inscribed licence.

In December last year I got a letter to say my inscription had to be renewed. This involved getting a medical at a clinic in Adeje just down the hill from the post office, and then the rest of the paperwork and payment was somehow done in the PO, but again I don't remember the details (the Alzheimer's is getting a firm hold).

Virtually the next day I was pulled up for speeding. I had been pressing on a bit, but I was allowed to go with a stiff wigging. Whether it was because it was too hard to give me points on a UK licence, or just because I was polite and apologetic, I'll never know.

How do they know how long you have been in Tenerife. Will the Police really check with immigration (or their equivalent)?

It's much easier now with the Certificado de Registro, required for all residents who are here longer than 3 months. Of course, if a driver doesn't have a registro ...

but there again, if s/he doesn't have a registro and they can demonstrate residency longer than 3 months, then the driver is in trouble with that too

They can ask for airline stubs, I believe, which wouldn't be available in my house anyway given my tendency to chuck out all non-essentials. Not worth it, it really isn't.

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Janet Anscombe Associates
The Tenerife Experts
for anyone living in or moving to Tenerife
Visit our website www.janetanscombe.com

I have been here 8 years and never been stopped, we must look honest.....