I can only say that whole process is very different to the UK!Here is my experience:-Firstly I had to register with a driving school, as unlike the UK you are not allowed to practice with someone, between lessons, who already has their licence.They, the driving school, gave me access to 57 online, past theory tests. Each test consisted of 30, multiple choice questions. I had the option of attending the driving school to use their computers or pay extra to do this at home. I chose to pay the extra and use my own computer.Note- the theory test is Spanish, translated into English, the practical driving test is in Spanish.After completing this set of 57, twice, I went to my driving school to see if they considered me ready to sit my theory test. Having decided I was ready, a date for this was arranged for 1 week later, I was then given access to a further 57 previous tests. I have to say that my life was put on hold for the next week to enable me to complete these!On the day I completed the first set of 57 papers I was sent to have a medical, where they asked me about illnesses and medication and tested my vision. Next I had to pass a 2 minute coordination test on a PC, keeping a small horizontal line within 2 moving parallel lines. More difficult than I thought!!, but I did pass.I was given a document to take to my driving school where I was given access to the next batch of 57 past tests.I was collected and taken to Cartagena to sit my theory test, which again I managed to pass.Next my driving lessons commenced. My first lesson was in Los Alcazares and my feedback was that I drive too fast, not the start I was hoping for! All my other lessons were carried out in Cartagena as this is where my driving test was going to be.There are other learner drivers in the car with you during your lesson, which I found very odd at first. However, I came to appreciate it as it helped me learn some of the routes/roads in Cartgena, all of which were unfamiliar with as I had not driven more than twice within the city, prior to my lessons commencing.My test date was arranged and I continued to have lessons up until the day before. I was also given car parts to learn a couple of days before my test as the examiner can ask you to point 1 of those out prior to starting your test.As I said at the start, I managed to pass!It was quite an experience and I did learn a lot, but considering the number of years I have held my Uk licence I found it more difficult than I expected.I hope this information is helpful for others and would be happy to answer any questions, but not for a minute am I saying I would know all the answers. Good luck to everyone about to do their test.
I can only say that whole process is very different to the UK!Here is my experience:-Firstly I had to register with a driving school, as unlike the UK you are not allowed to practice with someone, between lessons, who already has their licence.They, the driving school, gave me access to 57 online, past theory tests. Each test consisted of 30, multiple choice questions. I had the option of attending the driving school to use their computers or pay extra to do this at home. I chose to pay the extra and use my own computer.Note- the theory test is Spanish, translated into English, the practical driving test is in Spanish.After completing this set of 57, twice, I went to my driving school to see if they considered me ready to sit my theory test. Having decided I was ready, a date for this was arranged for 1 week later, I was then given access to a further 57 previous tests. I have to say that my life was put on hold for the next week to enable me to complete these!On the day I completed the first set of 57 papers I was sent to have a medical, where they asked me about illnesses and medication and tested my vision. Next I had to pass a 2 minute coordination test on a PC, keeping a small horizontal line within 2 moving parallel lines. More difficult than I thought!!, but I did pass.I was given a document to take to my driving school where I was given access to the next batch of 57 past tests.I was collected and taken to Cartagena to sit my theory test, which again I managed to pass.Next my driving lessons commenced. My first lesson was in Los Alcazares and my feedback was that I drive too fast, not the start I was hoping for! All my other lessons were carried out in Cartagena as this is where my driving test was going to be.There are other learner drivers in the car with you during your lesson, which I found very odd at first. However, I came to appreciate it as it helped me learn some of the routes/roads in Cartgena, all of which were unfamiliar with as I had not driven more than twice within the city, prior to my lessons commencing.My test date was arranged and I continued to have lessons up until the day before. I was also given car parts to learn a couple of days before my test as the examiner can ask you to point 1 of those out prior to starting your test.As I said at the start, I managed to pass!It was quite an experience and I did learn a lot, but considering the number of years I have held my Uk licence I found it more difficult than I expected.I hope this information is helpful for others and would be happy to answer any questions, but not for a minute am I saying I would know all the answers. Good luck to everyone about to do their test.
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 12:29pm
well done.
Brilliant post.
Posted: Sun Jul 10, 2022 5:26pm
Very helpful member
Pam1612 wrote on Sun Jul 10, 2022 12:21pm:
Having decided to give up on waiting for UK and Spain to reach an agreement re swapping UK driving licences, I decided to apply for my Spanish driving test.
I can only say that whole process is very different to the UK!Here is my experience:-Firstly I had to register with a driving school, as unl...Read more...
...ike the UK you are not allowed to practice with someone, between lessons, who already has their licence.They, the driving school, gave me access to 57 online, past theory tests. Each test consisted of 30, multiple choice questions. I had the option of attending the driving school to use their computers or pay extra to do this at home. I chose to pay the extra and use my own computer.Note- the theory test is Spanish, translated into English, the practical driving test is in Spanish.After completing this set of 57, twice, I went to my driving school to see if they considered me ready to sit my theory test. Having decided I was ready, a date for this was arranged for 1 week later, I was then given access to a further 57 previous tests. I have to say that my life was put on hold for the next week to enable me to complete these!On the day I completed the first set of 57 papers I was sent to have a medical, where they asked me about illnesses and medication and tested my vision. Next I had to pass a 2 minute coordination test on a PC, keeping a small horizontal line within 2 moving parallel lines. More difficult than I thought!!, but I did pass.I was given a document to take to my driving school where I was given access to the next batch of 57 past tests.I was collected and taken to Cartagena to sit my theory test, which again I managed to pass.Next my driving lessons commenced. My first lesson was in Los Alcazares and my feedback was that I drive too fast, not the start I was hoping for! All my other lessons were carried out in Cartagena as this is where my driving test was going to be.There are other learner drivers in the car with you during your lesson, which I found very odd at first. However, I came to appreciate it as it helped me learn some of the routes/roads in Cartgena, all of which were unfamiliar with as I had not driven more than twice within the city, prior to my lessons commencing.My test date was arranged and I continued to have lessons up until the day before. I was also given car parts to learn a couple of days before my test as the examiner can ask you to point 1 of those out prior to starting your test.As I said at the start, I managed to pass!It was quite an experience and I did learn a lot, but considering the number of years I have held my Uk licence I found it more difficult than I expected.I hope this information is helpful for others and would be happy to answer any questions, but not for a minute am I saying I would know all the answers. Good luck to everyone about to do their test.
Congratulations for biting the bullet and for going ahead with getting your "own" Spanish driving licence! I'm sure that it was a very nerve-wracking experience all in all. But you did it and you came out a winner. Hopefully your experience will encourage others to do the same.
Well done!
I take it you can speak Spanish?
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Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2022 11:11am
No, I am learning Spanish, slowly, and did know left and right in Spanish, but instructions and car parts etc, I had to learn.
And thank you everyone for your kind words
@Pam1612
Just to add more information for people that read you excellent post now & in the future.
Please could you give us some idea of the costs involved ??
TIA
Congratulations 🥳 very helpful post! Th
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:10pm
Jules48 wrote on Mon Jul 11, 2022 12:41pm:
Congratulations 🥳 very helpful post! Th
Hi
Costs:-
To register with the driving school for the theory and practical driving test, gain access to 114 past online theory tests, have a medical and have all the paperwork completed and arrangements made to sit both the theory test in English, ( well Spanish translated to English) and the practical test, in Spanish, being picked up and taken to and from Cartagena for both tests, I paid 460€. This included purchasing the theory test book in English and completing the online practice tests from home.
The driving lessons cost 35€ each plus 35€ for the use of the car on the day of the driving test.
Hope this helps
Posted: Mon Jul 11, 2022 3:18pm
Another piece of advice I suggest to anyone thinking of applying to do the Spanish driving test is to drive often in Cartagena before their current driving licence expires. I did not know these roads which made it much more difficult.
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