We went and completed the driver theory exam for a second time last week. The test location and the process were identical to the first time we wrote the exam.

We entered the testing room and wrote a paper exam with completely different questions than the last one. Some of the questions were on motorcycles, traffic statistics, and illegal drug use. We completed the English version of the 30 question exam and returned home to await our results. Two days later we received notification that we both passed the exam and could move on to the practical training.

In Spain, it is mandatory to take driver training through a government recognized driving school. We signed up with a local driving school called “Autoescuela Pausa” which is walking distance from our home.

There are  few things that make driving a challenge in Spain. There are no English instructors and all lessons are conducted in Spanish. The final exam testing is also completely in Spanish and you are not permitted to have an interpreter present during the exam. The road system here is very different from Canada. The traffic lights, signage, and intersections are dissimilar to what we are accustomed to.  Finally, the majority of vehicles in Spain have standard transmissions, there are very few automatic transmissions. The issue here is If the driver’s exam is done while driving an automatic transmission then you are only licensed to drive an automatic. In order to rent vehicles and have the flexibility, we are both taking our exam with a standard transmission vehicle.

On Tuesday we went for our first driving lesson. Our vehicle was a smaller compact car with standard transmission.

Our instructor’s name was Oscar and he could not speak any English. He was very good at explaining things using hand language and clear Spanish. He was very helpful and had lots of patience with us.

Ray was the first to drive while Shelley sat in the back seat waiting her turn. Oscar would give directions in Spanish.

Here is a very small list of some of the Spanish driving words:

• Gire a la izquierda  (Turn left)
• Gira a la derecha (Turn right)
• tome la segunda a la derecha (take the second right)
• tome la segunda a la izquierdo en la rotonda (take second on the left in the roundabout)
• perada (stop)
• Tranquilo ( calm or relax)
• Espere (wait)
• Mas rapido (faster)
• Mas dispacio (slow down)
• Empuje el embrague (push the clutch in)
• Suelta el embrague (let out the clutch)
• Cambiar a tercera marcha (change to third gear)

This is only a very small portion of the language we need to learn before taking our practical drivers exam.

We headed on to the roadway and drove through the streets of Alicante. After about 45 minutes we stopped and switched seats. Shelley has never driven a standard before and Oscar was very good at explaining the gear shift and clutch process.

Shelley drove around the city and did very well navigating the clutch and standard shift.  After about 45 minutes we headed back to the driving school and finished for the day. It was a nice pace and we enjoyed ourselves very much. We are looking forward to more driving and getting the driving test completed.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”