Tag Archives: Spanish driver’s licence process

Spain

Driver’s License Success

We finally, completed our Spain driver’s process including the final practical exam. The procedure of acquiring a Spanish driver’s license is a major undertaking for people who live in Canada and the USA. The Spanish government does not recognize the equivalency of a Canadian or USA driver’s license. You are required to complete the entire driver license process regardless of your past experience identical to that of a new Spanish driver.

We began the process back in fall with completing the written exam. The written exam was an experience and adventure on its own. If you haven’t followed the post on our progress follow the links below.

http://wp.me/p6PTzi-11N             http://wp.me/p6PTzi-12T

We have been taking the practical driving lessons which are a requirement in order to complete the driver exam process. Although we are both experienced drivers and have held a Canadian driver license for years the lessons were of value.

The driving techniques in Spain and Europe are somewhat different from Canada. We do drive on the same side of the road however, there are some notable differences.

Yield signs are common and stop signs are minimal in Alicante. There are numerous roundabouts in Spain and some roundabouts are complex with three or more lanes wide.

Typical roundabout in Spain

Traffic signs are also slightly different, there are multiple signs for the same intersection which can be confusing at times.

After completing numerous practical driving lessons, we finally had our driving test days. Ray’s test was first and it was done during a torrential downpour. The examiner only speaks Spanish and no translator is permitted for the exam.  The exam took approximately 20 minutes and when completed I was informed to wait outside the car. The examiner and the driving instructor remained in the car for a few minutes to discuss the exam.  Ray was then allowed back in the vehicle and he was dropped off at the apartment. The results of the exam would not be available for 24 hours.

Shelley’s Driving exam was held on the Wednesday before the Easter long weekend. Traffic was congested and there were three other students in the car when the exam took place. The examiner asks each student a question about the car prior to the practical exam. Shelley’s question was on the colour of the reverse lights on the car when in reverse. Shelley completed the exam and was also asked to wait outside the car with the other students.

The final result is that we both have passed our driver exams and now have a Spanish driver’s license.

Ray and Shelley in front of the Pausa driving school holding their Driver Licence L

In the first year after obtaining your driver’s license in Spain, you are required to have an “L” on your rear window of your car. We received our “L” from our driving school and will display it proudly when we drive.

“Adios y que tenga un grand dia”

Spain

Learning to drive in Spain

1 Comment

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.

img_20160922_103304568_hdr
Ministerio del interior Centro de Exanenes

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.

img_20161129_092825399_hdr
Ray and Shelley in front of the Autoescuela Pausa

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.

img_20161129_110222428
The driving school training car

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.

img_20161129_101906060
Shelley and Oscar reviewing the standard shift and clutch process before heading onto the road.

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”

 

Spain

Today we wrote our theory driver test

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.

img_20160920_125828509_hdr
Shelley studying the sample exams for the driver test

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.

img_20160922_094839985_hdr
People waiting to do the driving test

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”

Spain

Driver’s Licence Medical process

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.

img_20160912_122426634
Shelley and Ray outside of the Clinica Ume

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.

img_20160912_115237046
Ray and Shelley waiting in reception area for medical test

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.

computer-used-in-test-copy
The computer used in medical certification process for driver licence

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.

auto-school-copy
Autoescuela Pausa in Alicante

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”

 

 

Spain

Getting our Spanish Drivers License

2 Comments

We are residents of Spain and unfortunately the Spanish government does not recognise our Canadian driver’s licence beyond the first six months in Spain.

We have been studying and preparing for the inevitable task of getting our Spanish driver’s licence. This process began three months ago when we bought the study book in English. The book was very expensive and cost around $150. euros. We also had access to a bank of practice questions online which was a good start for studying.

img_20160908_175405252

The system to get your driver’s licence is very different here compared to Canada. All persons getting their driver’s licence are required to take classes at a registered driving school “Autoescuela”. We attended a few of the driving schools to get general information before registering with one of the schools. We decided to go with an autoescuela located not far from where we live.

auto-school-copy

We registered and paid our $59.95 each for the theory class. It is provided online and is also available in English.  We are now working towards the formal written test which we have scheduled for September 22nd.

There are still a few things we need to complete before the test. We are required to obtain a medical certificate at a specific medical facility. This must be done at least one week prior to the test. We are also required to have two passport size photos.

We will be getting these done next week and studying the materials before the test on September 22nd.

“Adios y que tenga un gran dia”