Why Am I Getting a Spanish License?
Good question! There are two reasons. First, as a Spanish resident I need a Spanish license after living here 6 months. This makes sense and all U.S. states have similar requirements and sometimes require the new resident a shorter window to obtain their new license.
The second reason is that I had to break all ties with Virginia, which included returning (electronically) my VA driver's license. I won't go into the reasons why I needed to do that here. Suffice it to say that I am now unable to drive until I obtain a Spanish license. Fortunately, I don't have a car and the need to rent one here is infrequent. However, I would like to have the option to do that whenever I need to in the future.
Can I Exchange my U.S. Driver's License for a Spanish One?
Well, no. Spain has agreements with all EU (European Union) and EEA (European Economic Area) countries and with a list of about 23 other countries (many from Latin America). Citizens from these countries have to initiate this driver's license exchange within six months of their residency here. The U.S. is not included in this list. Although I cannot verify this, I think one of the reasons is because there is no US national license but rather 50 state licenses that Spain would have to make agreements with. Bottom line is that I need to go through all the steps to get a Spanish license.
Comparisons - Spain vs. VA
I thought it would be easiest to put this in a chart to compare the two systems:
Steps
|
Spanish Cost
|
Virginia Cost
|
Explanation (assuming you are an adult who does
not have a license)
|
Sign Up with a Drivers School
|
80 euros (min)
|
N/A or $15-40
|
·
Spain: I think there might be some exceptions,
but generally candidates are associated with a driver’s school. I did the minimum so I did not sign up for
classes but I had access to online practice tests and 2 tutorials. Each school’s prices are different.
·
VA: driver’s school is optional.
|
Take Medical Test
|
35-50 euros
|
$0
|
·
Spain: you must go to a doctor certified to
examine you. They will test your
vision, your blood pressure and your eye-hand coordination using a
specialized machine. They will write
down any prescription drugs you are taking.
·
VA: a vision test is given at the DMV
|
Take Written Test
|
90 euros
|
$32
|
·
Spain: a 30 question multiple choice
test. Passing is 90% or greater (max
questions missed = 3).
·
VA: Split into two parts – the traffic sign
test consists of 10 questions and you must pass it 100%. If you pass, you take the general knowledge
test and must earn 80% or greater.
|
Take Driver’s Test
|
Included in above cost
|
Included in above cost
|
·
Spain: One of the reasons why you need to be
associated with a Drivers School is because you need to have a vehicle with
two sets of pedals, one set for the driver and the other set for the Driver’s
School instructor who will be accompanying you. The evaluator sits in the back seat and
observes you and tells you where to drive.
·
VA: You bring your own car (or someone else’s)
|
Maximum Attempts
|
3 total
90 euros to obtain another 3 tries
|
3 for written ($2 for re-takes)
3 for driving
|
·
Spain: You have a max of three attempts. If you fail the written test once, you must
pass it the second time. Having passed the written test the second time around,
you must pass the driver’s test the first time. If you pass the written on the first try,
you are permitted two attempts to pass the driving test.
·
VA: After 3 tries on the written or driving
tests, you are required to take a Driver’s Ed course.
|
Languages
|
N/A
|
N/A
|
·
Spain: offers the written test in Spanish, Catalan,
Valencian, Galician, Basque, German, French and English.
·
VA: English, Spanish
|
Perhaps I'll write another time on the differences of the rules of the road. Please wish me luck on my test on Thursday.
