I AM FINALLY going to get my Spanish drivers license. After living six months in Spain, a Spanish license is required. My California license expired a few years ago. I couldn't renew it because I no longer have a California address. So, I can't drive when I'm in the States either. San Geraldo got his Spanish license a few years ago. I was a coward. It's expensive and a pain. You have to go to driving school, pass the "theory" exam, and then take behind-the-wheel lessons before taking the road test (and no practicing without a licensed instructor in a dual-controlled car). After more than 40 years of driving, it's a very strange experience. But I have finally told myself to just get on with it. So I've begun to study for the written exam and I am actually enjoying myself. I was going to study in Spanish but the owner of the driving school told me there was no need to add to the stress. So, I have a new Spanish manual and the English manual (from San Geraldo). The English translation is awful. So, I will simply take hundreds of practice exams until I know what I need to know.
Click here for an earlier post on San Geraldo's experience.
FINALMENTE VOY A obtener mi carnet de conducir de España. Después de vivir seis meses en España, se necesita un carnet de España. Mi carnet de California expiró hace unos años. No pude renovarlo porque ya no tengo una dirección de California. Por lo tanto, tampoco puedo conducir cuando estoy en Estados Unidos. San Geraldo no dudó en obtener su carnet en España. Yo era un cobarde. Es caro y un dolor. Tienes que ir a una autoescuela, aprobar el examen teorico, y luego tomar clases prácticas antes de los practicos (y no practicar sin un instructor con licencia en un coche con doble control). Después de más de 40 años conduciendo, es una experiencia muy extraña. Pero finalmente me dije que debía seguir adelante. Así que comencé a estudiar para el técnico y en realidad estoy disfrutando. Iba a estudiar en español, pero el dueño de la autoescuela me dijo que no había necesidad de aumentar el estrés. Entonces, tengo el manual inglés de San Geraldoen un nuevo manual en español porque la traducción al inglés es horrible. Entonces, voy a estudiar cientos de exámenes de práctica hasta que sepa lo que necesito saber.
Haz clic aquí para una entrada, en inglés (lo siento), de la experiencia de San Geraldo.
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| SO, EITHER SIDE. LA PREGUNTA: EN UNA CALLE DE SENTIDO ÚNICO, SE LE PERMITE ESTACIONAR... LA RESPUESTA: EN EL LADO DERECHO, AUNQUE TAMBIÉN PUEDES ESTACIONAR EN EL LADO IZQUIERDO. ENTONCES, CUALQUIER LADO. |
Good luck with this, Mitch! You will ACE IT!
ReplyDeleteJim:
DeleteI've aced (with practice) the first eight 30-question practice exams! So far, so good.
much more strict than here to get a license.
ReplyDeleteanne marie:
DeleteAnd much more expensive. Between 750 and 1300 euros when all is said and done!
I thought that was going to be some obscure trick question.
ReplyDeleteAlas, not everyone is out to "get" you!
You will do well, full confidence!
Best!
Ron
Ron:
DeleteJust really bad translation. I'm actually enjoying myself. We'll see what I say when I have to take the road test!
Sounds like a pain, I always hated that part of learning how to drive but SC is not very strict
ReplyDeleteAdam:
DeleteNowhere I've lived has made it this difficult or expensive. And I got my first license in the City of New York, which was no picnic.
I think it's a great idea. You are pretty fluent and it is just one more step in this process :)
ReplyDeleteCheapchick:
DeleteWe have a car and I think it's unfair that Jerry should have to do all the driving. Also, when we're in the States, it's very limiting. So, an important step. I'm glad to finally find the confidence to do it.
Buena suerte. OUCH! My high school Spanish language bone just creaked big time!
ReplyDeleteDeedles:
DeleteThat was perfect! Sorry about that bone.
Oh dear...just what could possibly go wrong?
ReplyDeletemistress maddie:
DeleteI don't even want to think about it. But I've aced the first eight 30-question practice exams. Progress!
Hmmm, that parking question . . . the accompanying photo is a bit of a giveaway, isn't it.
ReplyDeleteDebra:
DeleteIt is. But I don't trust that the photos will always be helpful.
I second Debra!I thought of one answer then saw the photo and changed my mind!
ReplyDeleteBob:
DeleteAfter thinking about it, I looked at the photo and thought, "Well, maybe they're not misrepresenting it."
Just make sure you are headed in the right direction!
ReplyDeleteWilma:
DeleteLots of Brits driving around here. Wrong lanes. Not looking in the right direction for traffic and pedestrians.
hmmm great minds... I haven't driven in at last six years if not more and we (notice the plural there) have decided it's time I got back into the driver's seat. Hope it works out for both of us.
ReplyDeleteWillym:
DeleteIn many States, that would mean simply taking another written exam and renewing your license. I hope that's the case for you.
I did my French one back in 2005. And I did it in French. But I was not required to take the behind-the-wheel driving lessons because I had been driving already since I was 16 years old. I did a couple of practice drives with the classroom instructor just to be aware of how it would go. Still, I did about 8 weeks of classroom practice tests and got myself an at-home set of practice tests on CD-ROM. They really helped a lot. The theory test was a challenge, but I passed it the first time. More than half the people I took it with failed. These kids today, and all that. Good luck to you. You're serious about it and you will more than likely pass with flying (driving?) colors!
ReplyDeleteWalt the Fourth:
DeleteThe benefits I get by having had a license is that I won't have to pay for too many behind-the-wheel practice sessions. AND, most importantly, I won't have to have a big "L" plastered on my rear window (Loser?) for being a new driver.
In France it's a big "A" plastered on the back of the car. You can guess what I think that stands for. ;)
DeleteWith it being harder to get a license, are the drivers better? I was amazed at how disciplined the drivers are in Germany.
ReplyDeleteTravel:
DeleteThe simple answer, No.
At least you already know how to drive stick! I'm the coward!..... With a masters! ;)
ReplyDeleteKMoff,
DeleteBut I’m taking the test on an automatic since that’s what we own. Much easier. Very strict rules on manual drive.