Spanish driving license will drive me crazy!

Forgive our not keeping up to date as we have been dealing with lots of issues in settling into our new home.

I shall just discuss the joys of having to pass the theoretical and practical parts of the tests required of me to obtain a Spanish driver's license.  There is no reciprocity between the USA and Europe for exchanging driver's licenses.  So I have to sit for the exam which by all accounts is extremely difficult.  I have enrolled in a local driving school and have access to their computers.  Sadly, there is no instruction in English.  However, there are practice tests in English, but without the instructional manual, they are of limited help.

The good news is that I can take the theoretical exam in English.  It consists of 40 picky multiple-choice questions.  You cannot miss more than 3 and pass the test.  I have downloaded a poorly translated English version of the 217 page Spanish driver's manual.  Since I don't completely trust it, I have paid $150 Euros to get 17 English language modules along with practice tests from a British gentleman who is a certified driving instructor.  Sadly, he lives in a different province and can only help me via the internet.

From reading posts of those who have taken the theoretical test, it is supposed to be unbelievably difficult. One man said that is was easier to pass the bar exam to become a lawyer/solicitor than the driving test.  The test covers information about other vehicles including mopeds and trucks. It also can include questions about car repairs, various engines and farm equipment. So I have a major learning task ahead of me.

It is imperative that I pass the test before the end of August.  I will turn 70 at the beginning of September.  Your license is valid for 5 years if you obtain it before you are 70, but only 2 years thereafter.

I shall also have to take the driving test with a standard shift car.  I have not driven one in 23 years.  So I need to have some practice with that too.  We bought an automatic car, so hopefully, the local driving school will help me relearn those dormant skills.

From the studying that I have done, I realize that one's ability to memorize huge amounts of material does not improve with age.  Having survived a doctoral program and medical school, I should be able to get through this.

Stay tuned to this station!

Regards,

Stuart