DVLA

Yes, you are correct in your explanation, my apologies, I was looking at it the other way, from a garage owners view, because whenever I took a car in with road tax I always told the current owner to cash it in / claim it back, even though they always lost the part month, and had to pay out for the full month.

There is a way around this now, but on here I wont mention how.

I should have known better.

Baz,   the number of points a  driver has are recorded in Trafico (Spain’s DVLA) and can be accessed by authority, or by the holder of the DL

They seem to be only interested in 600 euros deposit for having your own insurance rather than the DVLA, but as you say, if I don't, they will bound to ask for it 

Try the all inclusive option with HCiS, no deposits at all and full/ full and extra driver 

Mark

It's not only the road tax that's a rip off. Don't renew your driving licence early as I did, as they start the new licence on the date they receive your money, unlike passports where the renewal date stays the same no matter when you renew. Next time I'm gonna let the licence run out for a month before renewing so I get my money back...

Cheers Mark

Just found it, Hire cars in Spain 

I was sceptical at first, but it does work, plus you can talk to someone in the UK, or they will call you :) At least you know what price you will be paying when you book, and you have the choice of the older deals too (no insurance, pay for fuel, etc). I think it is the way forward :)

Mark

This is info from HCIS.

They were kind enough to reply to an email of mine. I was seeking to ascertain the situation in Spain for those who need to know.

Thanks Martin at :-  hirecarsinspain@uk2.net

Reply:-   

 Most of our suppliers know about the code but don't require it, as the piece of paper was always useless,  as it can quickly becoming out of date.   Thus they don't worry about the code, as they say, whether you have convictions or not, if you can legally drive in the UK you can drive in Spain.   Hence the term 'valid' in our terms and conditions.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3191639/New-holiday-car-hire-shambles-Drivers-trouble-getting-special-code-paper-licence-axed-firms-don-t-bother-ask-it.html

Not just Spain by the looks of it.

I have hired a car in Spain recently, I have taken 3x test drives of new vehicles at dealers in the UK recently and none have asked for the code. I am having my van serviced at the local Ford dealer on Wednesday and have to provide the code for the courtesy car!

Mark