We have been studying and spending a lot of time preparing for the theory driver exam. In Spain, the theory exam can be in English which is both a bonus and a curse. The questions are translated from Spanish into English and sometimes the translation changes the question into a very difficult question to understand.

We have been online practicing the sample questions that were provided by our driving school.

Yesterday we attended the driver test location which is on the outskirts of Alicante. The driving school transported us along with two other students to do the test. There were groups of people waiting to do the test at the centre. We waited outside until it was our turn.

We were called in by name and sat at a bank of computers and the instructions were provided in Spanish. We managed to figure out what was being said and entered our identification into the computer only to have a Spanish test display on the screen, Yikes!!! Shelley and I both had our hand up and explain in our best Spanish, “Ayuda por favor”  we needed an English test. After a bit of confusion, they provided both of us with a paper exam. The process which is very different from Ontario; took half an hour and then we were completed. The results of the test are posted online the following day.

So this morning we logged on to the website and found out that unfortunately, we both failed the test. We are disappointed but we are determined to not let this set us back. We know how to drive and it just means completing the test again. Apparently, there is a very high percentage of people who fail the first time, so I guess we are in good company. We will hit the books for another couple of months and try the test again later. Until then we are going to enjoy the beautiful weather and travel a bit.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”

This morning we went to the Medical Clinic called “Clinica Ume” for our medical certificate. This clinic is the approved location for the driver’s licence medical certificate, which is a requirement prior to writing the theory component of the driver licence in Spain.

We arrived at approximately 11 a.m. and spoke to the receptionist who could not speak any English. We explained to her why we were there and after a few attempts at making ourselves clear she understood what we needed. She then took some information from us and we waited in the  reception area.

Approximately 10 minutes later we went into another room with a medical assistant and she conducted a hand and eye coordination test. This test was unique and something we have never done before. It was completed on an old commodore 64 style computer. The test consisted of two parallel lines approximately 1-inch wide which moved down the screen. They moved independently of each other  and you needed to maintain two small dots inside both lines as they changed course.

Once the computer test was completed successfully a digital photo was taken prior to us seeing the doctor. We then attend another room where the doctor did a 10-minute exam that consisted of an eye test and general questions. Once that was completed we were back sent back to the receptionist. We paid our $20. euros each and received our  “Informe de Aptitud PSICO-FISICA” aka- medical certificate.

We then returned to the Autoescuela Pausa to drop off the forms and secure our date to write the theory exam. We were required to pay in advance for the cost of the exam which was $90 Euros each.  We also were required to complete another form for the upcoming theory exam.  We paid the exam fee and completed the documentation so now we are set for the exam. But wait there is always a catch! What was really interesting  is the fact that the government does not advise the location or time of the exam until 24 hours before the test. So we need to wait until September 21st to find out the time and location of our test. This is an interesting process and one that requires some patience.

“adios y que tenga un gran dia”