Spanish Resident with Spanish car in UK longer than 6 months

Hello,

I have a British passport, I am resident in Spain (i have Residencia), and have been living and working in Spain since 2004. I have a Spanish driving licence.

I have a job working in North Wales for 7 months, after I shall return to Spain.

I need to take my car for transport while I am working in the UK.

I have owned my car for 6 years, Spanish registered, taxed, ITV and insured in Spain on Spanish plates.

I am only allowed to have my car in the UK for 6 months.?

gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/temporary-imports

My question is:

How do I stay legal on month 7 ?

Nell

Sorry but you found the answer at:-  

https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/temporary-imports

It says:      If you .................... stay for longer than 6 months you must register and tax your vehicle in the UK

Hello John

How do the UK authorities actually know when your Spanish car enters and leaves the UK?.

The reality of it is, you stay for 6 months with your Spanish registered car, no problem, overstay for one month, honestly whats the chances of you getting caught if you keep your nose clean, like no speeding, parking on yellow and so on.

I deal with plenty of incomers who bring the foreign car in and stay with it for more then a year or two and have never had one problem, the millions of cameras we have now will no doubt spot you, but also take no notice because they cant be bothered about chasing foreign registered cars. It's only us when we park on yellow for 5 seconds.

Sorry Nell,  that was not the answer.

It should have been;   Just do as you please you won't get caught because the authorities do not know GB is an island, so you cannot say you drove over a border,  ferry tickets have dates on them, or if you cannot show the car left UK,  then you are in trouble with no defence.

But you need not worry, a couple of great guys here will pick up any bills you get  !!

But then even Tony down the pub does not believe that.

Opps!  Maybe the police do know.

www.police.uk/information-and-advice/automatic-number-plate-recognition/

Extract

“As a vehicle passes an ANPR camera, its registration number is read and instantly checked ……...............  A record for all vehicles passing by a camera is stored, including those for vehicles that are not known to be of interest at the time of the read that may in appropriate circumstances be accessed for investigative purposes.

The use of ANPR in this way has proved to be important in the detection of many offences ………. “

The authorities might know but have enough to follow up on as it is without chasing someone for a months overstay, which as I said keep your nose clean and little chance of getting caught.

They wont even chase you if you don't pay the Dartford Crossing fee of £2.50, they just put the fee up 50 pence toUK drivers to cover this loss, and they told us this, but they will chase the English car owners.

And due to this 50 pence increase us 'Great Guys' are already paying for it.

, the millions of cameras we have now will no doubt spot you,

I already mentioned that, but considering the UK police are now worse then useless...Enough said.

 ferry tickets have dates on them, or if you cannot show the car left UK,  then you are in trouble with no defence.

Yes my point exactly, if you keep clean and don't get caught why would you have to show you left the country with boat tickets.

Neil

If it were me I would risk it. I know rules are rules, but to be honest the rule is in place to stop people "really" abusing the system. What I mean by that is someone bringing their car from the continent with no intention of taxing, mot'ing it etc ever, and not paying for any of those things in their "home" country. I would make sure that you have any documentation on you showing your intention to travel back to Spain. i.e. Your return ferry booking.

Things to consider:

1.  Insurance - Does your insurer cover you if you are away for more than 6 months? You may find it only covers you for a much shorter period when you leave Spain.

2.  If insurance is not a problem, how about a nice 2 week holiday in France half way though your period in the UK?

Hi Tteedd,

Yes my Insurance is from Mapfre and covers me for my stay, plus breakdown.

Thanks for the offer but I am traveling by ferry from north Spain.

Insurance cover

Under Directive 2009/103/EC all vehicle insurance policies are required to provide third party (minimum cover) for the duration of the policy, in all EU countries as standard.   Thus up to 12 months from the starting date.

Of course should one require further cover, full comp etc., then the insurance company will probably require an  additional premium and will restrict the period for which that cover is effective.

NB Insurance companies are often reluctant to mention this and will try to get customers to pay extra