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Learning to Drive in Spain
Hi there!
I am hoping to learn to drive here in Spain, but I have a few questions about the process. If anyone can help me to find answers to these I would be very grateful indeed :D *I have a UK provisional license; do I need to have a Spanish one to learn to drive here? *Are the theory and practical lessons available in both English and Spanish? I do speak Spanish and believe that it would be good to learn the laws and signs of the road in Spanish, but I don't speak it perfectly so for the sake of total understanding I would like a bilingual teacher- does anyone know if this is possible? *My partner has a full license and ticks the UK boxes for teaching a learner to drive (over the age of 21, been driving for more than 3 years themselves....); does anyone know what the protocol is here for him teaching me to drive on the road in our car? I assume that I'll need L plates, but what else? *Are there intensive courses available? I can actually drive a manual and automatic car, but I've never done so on the roads, so I don't think that I need too many practical lessons, just enough to get my confidence up and make sure that I am a safe driver on the roads *I've heard that examiners will fail a (pass-deserving) test if they need to reach a certain % of of passes and fails in the month... is that true?? Thanks so much for helping :) |
Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
Originally Posted by HealthCoachLaura
(Post 10677490)
Hi there!
I am hoping to learn to drive here in Spain, but I have a few questions about the process. If anyone can help me to find answers to these I would be very grateful indeed :D *I have a UK provisional license; do I need to have a Spanish one to learn to drive here? No. *Are the theory and practical lessons available in both English and Spanish? I do speak Spanish and believe that it would be good to learn the laws and signs of the road in Spanish, but I don't speak it perfectly so for the sake of total understanding I would like a bilingual teacher- does anyone know if this is possible? You would have to go to one of the expat areas and even then I'm not sure. *My partner has a full license and ticks the UK boxes for teaching a learner to drive (over the age of 21, been driving for more than 3 years themselves....); does anyone know what the protocol is here for him teaching me to drive on the road in our car? I assume that I'll need L plates, but what else? Absolutely not allowed. You can ONLY learn to drive at one of the recognised centres. You are not allowed on the road otherwise. *Are there intensive courses available? I can actually drive a manual and automatic car, but I've never done so on the roads, so I don't think that I need too many practical lessons, just enough to get my confidence up and make sure that I am a safe driver on the roads I'm not sure. *I've heard that examiners will fail a (pass-deserving) test if they need to reach a certain % of of passes and fails in the month... is that true?? Without wishing to be xenophobic, I believe taht there is some discrination in some areas. Thanks so much for helping :) |
Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
Originally Posted by HealthCoachLaura
(Post 10677490)
Hi there!
I am hoping to learn to drive here in Spain, but I have a few questions about the process. If anyone can help me to find answers to these I would be very grateful indeed :D *I have a UK provisional license; do I need to have a Spanish one to learn to drive here? *Are the theory and practical lessons available in both English and Spanish? I do speak Spanish and believe that it would be good to learn the laws and signs of the road in Spanish, but I don't speak it perfectly so for the sake of total understanding I would like a bilingual teacher- does anyone know if this is possible? *My partner has a full license and ticks the UK boxes for teaching a learner to drive (over the age of 21, been driving for more than 3 years themselves....); does anyone know what the protocol is here for him teaching me to drive on the road in our car? I assume that I'll need L plates, but what else? *Are there intensive courses available? I can actually drive a manual and automatic car, but I've never done so on the roads, so I don't think that I need too many practical lessons, just enough to get my confidence up and make sure that I am a safe driver on the roads *I've heard that examiners will fail a (pass-deserving) test if they need to reach a certain % of of passes and fails in the month... is that true?? Thanks so much for helping :) BE is a very large expat website, so if you have problems finding your way around we have concierges who will try to direct you. The moderators for the Spanish forums are Mitzyboy and Fred James, moderators are there to ensure that the site runs smoothly within the rules of BE. Problems and complaints should always be addressed to a moderador who will look into the matter and deal with it efficiently and fairly. Our members who post in the Spain Forums are friendly and helpful with a wealth of knowledge of the issues of living in Spain. At the top of the page you will find a quirkily named thread called Free Beer which is full of important and useful information. Hope you enjoy your time participating in the forums. Please let me know if you need any further help. Rosemary |
Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
It's easy, here are a few tips:
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Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
Thank you Rosemary for your welcome to the site. I've been in Spain for about a year now and definitely do not have it all figured out yet so I know I'll be posting a fair bit going forward....:)
Snikpoh, thank you very much for such a fast, clear reply to my questions. Do you happen to know if there is anywhere that my partner can teach me to drive, i.e. carparks, national parks etc. Thanks again:cool: |
Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
Amideislas
You forgot a few: parking on a roundabout stopping on a roundabout to take/make a call alcoholic drink with coffee As for roundabout protocol....well best left unsaid. Incidently I understand that they are taught to stop totally before turning and not to look and assess first. Rosemary |
Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
they learn to drive over here :confused::confused::confused::confused:
I was thinking they get a car and send onto the roads to learn the rest by them selfs.We would never ever want a new car while in span |
Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
hahaha thanks amideislas, I'll be sure to take note. And while we're on the subject, why is it that Spanish drivers, or rather, drivers on Spanish roads, are so ruthless? people were barging in front of us to turn right off a round about from the inside lane the other day, and not the first time it's happened....
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Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
Originally Posted by HeikeundAlan
(Post 10677572)
they learn to drive over here :confused::confused::confused::confused:
I was thinking they get a car and send onto the roads to learn the rest by them selfs.We would never ever want a new car while in span Anyway, we've seen it many times. Newbie Germans buying a house or summer getaway. They initially pull in with their shiny new Audi or Mercedes SUV, so proud of their holy chalice exhibited in the driveway. Well, it's as predictable as water flows downhill. Within a year, they've sold off the Audi and opted for an older Golf or Fiesta, complete with pre-scratched and dented fenders.
Originally Posted by HealthCoachLaura
(Post 10677629)
hahaha thanks amideislas, I'll be sure to take note. And while we're on the subject, why is it that Spanish drivers, or rather, drivers on Spanish roads, are so ruthless? people were barging in front of us to turn right off a round about from the inside lane the other day, and not the first time it's happened....
Correction: More likely because Spain is the land of "not my problem". |
Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
I have also looked for info on this and my understanding so far is ...
UK provisional licence not recognised here. Only registered driving school instructor can take you out on the road and ALL roads whatever the state are public highways I was told. Have a read of this .. http://www.andalucia.com/accounts/driving.htm and this .... http://www.english-driving-school.com/ Thing to remember is this is Spain not UK and way they are taught to drive IS different. |
Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
Originally Posted by HealthCoachLaura
(Post 10677533)
Thank you Rosemary for your welcome to the site. I've been in Spain for about a year now and definitely do not have it all figured out yet so I know I'll be posting a fair bit going forward....:)
Snikpoh, thank you very much for such a fast, clear reply to my questions. Do you happen to know if there is anywhere that my partner can teach me to drive, i.e. carparks, national parks etc. Thanks again:cool: |
Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
Originally Posted by HealthCoachLaura
(Post 10677629)
hahaha thanks amideislas, I'll be sure to take note. And while we're on the subject, why is it that Spanish drivers, or rather, drivers on Spanish roads, are so ruthless? people were barging in front of us to turn right off a round about from the inside lane the other day, and not the first time it's happened....
My wife passed her driving test in Spain a year or two ago, it costs around 1500 euros so its not cheap, although she did need a lot of lessons I think you can do practical lessons in English if you find a driving instructor who speaks the language, but the test will be in Spanish. The theory test is actually pretty difficult, much more difficult than the English one. You can take the theory test in English but apparently the translations arent very good :) As others have said, you can only drive with the teacher, you are not allowed to drive any other car Btw, I've only ever driven in Spain although I learnt in the UK and I dont think Spanish drivers or bad or aggressive at all. Probably depends what you get used to. In fact I found UK drivers very aggressive when I was back there a few month ago, probably because the traffic is much worse. When I live in the Costa Del Sol it was the British drivers that were the problem, they drove at 80kmH on the motorway in the middle lane! |
Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 10678033)
Probably because your partner hasnt read the Spanish highway code regarding roundabouts, it is different to the UK!
My wife passed her driving test in Spain a year or two ago, it costs around 1500 euros so its not cheap, although she did need a lot of lessons I think you can do practical lessons in English if you find a driving instructor who speaks the language, but the test will be in Spanish. The theory test is actually pretty difficult, much more difficult than the English one. You can take the theory test in English but apparently the translations arent very good :) As others have said, you can only drive with the teacher, you are not allowed to drive any other car Btw, I've only ever driven in Spain although I learnt in the UK and I dont think Spanish drivers or bad or aggressive at all. Probably depends what you get used to. In fact I found UK drivers very aggressive when I was back there a few month ago, probably because the traffic is much worse. When I live in the Costa Del Sol it was the British drivers that were the problem, they drove at 80kmH on the motorway in the middle lane! I don't think the OP mentioned Oviedo, so she may be forced to deal with reality. |
Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
Originally Posted by amideislas
(Post 10678099)
Yes but you live in Oviedo, where, naturally everything Spanish is far superior to anything else on earth, and the handful of foreigners living there simply "don't get it".
I don't think the OP mentioned Oviedo, so she may be forced to deal with reality. The drivers in Barcelona were great, very calm and friendly. Malaga was a pain in the arse because of the tourists and foreigners who didnt know what they were doing |
Re: Learning to Drive in Spain
Originally Posted by cricketman
(Post 10678101)
Yes but I also lived in Barcelona and Malaga province and actually dont drive in Oviedo at all because we can walk everywhere
The drivers in Barcelona were great, very calm and friendly. Malaga was a pain in the arse because of the tourists and foreigners who didnt know what they were doing Naturally, only those pesky foreigners don't know how to drive properly. Do they actually have driving schools in other countries? |
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