Mopeds in Spain

[Anonymous]

I'm told that you don't need to register mopeds in Spain but an internet search implies otherwise. I would like to buy a small 49cc moped as a runabout for 6 months over the winter and want to be fully legal. We both have full UK driving licences but don't own a car anywhere. We are not residents in Spain and don't have a NIE numbers. Our only addresses are home in the UK and the boat in the marina. Can anyone tell me how to go about it, please? We are in Andalucia.

Many thanks.

 

[chrisc]

I thought a 49cc was classed as a bicycle (and therefore needs no licence) this is certainly true in many parts of eu.

 

[Grehan]

I would suggest you ask this question on the Andalucia.com forums site.
http://www.andalucia.com/forums/index.php
You'll be certain to get an informed answer.

 

[rsallo]

Hi Lemain,
I am spanish, and yes, you need to register a moped. To be 100% legal you need to register it (you will need a registration plate), valid insurance and tax. (this tax is paid every year I think to the local council and it's called "impuesto de circulacion"). Mopeds don't need MOT, though.

chrisc, if I am not wrong you are talking about a diferent thing, licenses. In spain you don't need a license as long as you are 18+ and you already have a driving license (for cars, bigger bikes, lorries, etc.)

At least that's how it was 3 years ago.

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I have spent the morning in two bike shops and talking to an insurance broker and what you say seems to agree. To get the registration plate (matriculation) you need an address and an NIE/F. That doesn't suit me. Incidentally, the bike shops both said that there is no problem in buying the bike and they would sell me one but stressed that they would not be legal. With cars, they are not allowed to sell you one unless you have an NIE/F.

The (German) yacht next to me insures his scooter via Panaenius (Germany) who issue plates for the bike so he does not have to register in the local countries. Unfortunately Pantaenius UK do not offer this so I am stuck.

So, the simple answer is that I can't do it and be legal. So much for all those mini-bikes you see being offered for yachts - not much use for British yachts anyway unless you are prepared to risk riding without insurance, etc.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks...I have registered and am waiting for my registration to be approved.

 

[bobgosling]

Surely you could register this in the UK , insure it here ( with a Green Card for use abroad ) then use it anywhere in the world ?

 

[Anonymous]

There was a time when that was possible but no GB insurance company wants to insure vehicles being used overseas for very long. That's why we sold the car.

You also have the problem of MOT or the local equivalent. If your vehicle is UK registered then it requires an MOT which is only available in the UK and you can't readily get the moped back to the UK if it is your yacht bike which is in the Med. This stuff is a real headache for UK residents spending much time in Europe...being part of the EU has hardly made any difference other than vastly reduced red tape when entering and leaving most (but not all) EU countries.

 

[affinite]

Get some moutain bikes, get fitter, and avoid all this hassle !

 

[Topcat47]

There are some folding electric bikes on the market.....not as fast or as much fun as a "real" bike, but any port in a storm.

 

[Anonymous]

Yes, I have been looking at those. We test-rode some a year or so ago and were not very impressed though there is a new model out that sounds good - but horribly expensive. The problem is that you really need to do a lot of pedalling and they don't make very good push-bikes so in some ways you are better off just getting a push-bike. I do have a folding push-bike in any case but I would find 20km each way rather tiring on a regular basis, especially up hills!!