The Spanish driving test remains one of the toughest in Europe, but the internet has made things a lot easier.
First published in Gazette Life, July 1st 2020.
To learn to drive in Spain, you first need to be over 18 years old. There is no such thing as a provisional licence in Spain, which means that no unlicenced driver can get behind the wheel of a car until they have passed their theory test and are accompanied by a qualified driving instructor.
To do this, you’ll have to sign up with a driving school. The school will provide practice theory tests online or via apps, and you’ll also get the official driving handbook from the Traffic Department to study. Importantly, the driving school will also handle paperwork, saving you plenty of hassle.
There’s a lot to learn, but many of the questions are obvious, so you’ll soon start to score highly. To pass, you need to get 27 or more of the 30 questions correct. If you fail, most driving schools will give you another bite at the cherry.
Material for study is increasingly available in English, but if you do speak a bit of Spanish make sure you choose a language early and stick with it. It’s best to do the whole thing in one language, rather than shift around between translations that may not be entirely accurate. Also, it’s worth remembering that if you do want to learn Spanish, doing so as part of another task such as learning to drive is one of the most effective ways to do so.
Once you’ve passed the theory test, it’s onto the road with an instructor. Again, English speakers should ensure that a fluent English-speaking instructor is available before this stage.
Classes will continue until the instructor assesses you as ready for your practical test.
