Brits will be hit with fines AFTER they return home from Spanish holidays

BRITS who are caught speeding in Spain will be met with huge fines when they return home under new rules.

A new deal between the UK and Spain post-Brexit could allow the Spanish government to have access to the UK’s vehicle owner database to be able to chase down speeding drivers.

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While this can currently be requested on a case-by-case basis, the country wants full access to be able to fine Brits who have since left the country.

It comes just days after British ex-pats living in Spain were warned of weeks of travel chaos after being banned from the roads in a government bungle over licences.

While UK licences could previously be used, expats have since had to transfer them over to Spanish licenses as they are no longer permitted.

Tens of thousands of Brits were feared to be affected, and while this doesn’t include holidaymakers, some Brits have already been caught out for driving with their UK license illegally.

Retiree Steven Rees, who moved to Spain in 2020, said he had “lost his freedom” and were stuck in their home as they weren’t allowed to drive.

Malaga-based Sam Britton-Beese said: “It’s ridiculous. Our application for residency was still in process before the deadline so we couldn’t register to exchange.”

Linda Rogers, originally from Coventry, added: “Our house is in the mountains and nothing is close by – I’ve tried to get into a driving school but nothing is available.”

Other EU countries such as France still allow the UK driving license to be used.

Thankfully, officials have said a new agreement is in the works that will allow Brits living in Spain to move their UK license over to a Spanish one.

María José Aparicio of Spain’s DGT driver and vehicle licensing authority told the Telegraph: “We never wanted to upset British residents and 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.”

It’s not the only fine Brits face when on holiday in Spain.

Any holidaymakers attending illegal parties on the Balearic Islands could be fined as much as £25,000 in a crackdown on raves.

And drunken behaviour could see you fined as much as £50,000.

Here are some other Spanish laws that you could be breaking on holiday without realising.

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