I passed my driving test and would like to share my experience with everyone.
When taking the driving test for a Spanish driver’s license, the examiner seated in the back only uses Spanish instructions, and the instructor in the front passenger seat is not allowed to speak or translate. Therefore, it is crucial to become proficient with the following common Spanish commands and their corresponding expressions:
Start: Arrancar
Right turn: Derecha
Left turn: Izquierda
Straight ahead: Recto
U-turn: Cambio de sentido
Indirect left turn: izquierda indirecto
Roundabout: Rotonda
First exit: Primera salida
Second exit: Segunda salida
Third exit: Tercera salida
Fourth exit: Cuarta salida
Stop: Parar
Park: Aparcar
If you do not catch an instruction clearly, you can ask the examiner to repeat by saying, “Por favor repita.”
Note on Examiner Instruction Deviations
Sometimes, the examiner may give incorrect instructions—whether unintentionally or deliberately. For example, if a right turn is instructed but there is a no-right-turn sign at the intersection or on the road, you should ignore that instruction and continue following the road signs. At the same time, you must maintain a broad field of vision while driving; road guidance signs are typically placed about 30 meters before an intersection, and the intersection itself may not have corresponding signs. Additionally, there are vertical signs and traffic lights, with traffic signals holding the highest priority. If there is a STOP vertical sign at an intersection but the light is green, you must strictly follow the traffic light’s instruction and not stop. When entering a roundabout, you need to change lanes in advance, and the lane you choose should be determined by carefully observing the directional signs above the entrance—so you know whether to enter from the left or the right lane.
Roundabout Traffic Rules Explained
In-City Roundabouts
Left turns and U-turns must be made from the inner lane.
If the inner lane is controlled by a traffic light, you may proceed directly on a green light; however, if the light is flashing yellow, you must yield to vehicles coming from the right. Be especially cautious—if a vehicle on your right is within 25 meters, you must yield because of their high speed.
Right turns and going straight should be taken from the outer lane.
Outside-City Roundabouts
Always drive in the outer lane unless you are overtaking, in which case the inner lane may be used.
Before entering a roundabout, you must change lanes in advance to the appropriate lane: generally, if you plan to take the inner lane, enter from the left lane; if you plan to take the outer lane, enter from the right lane. However, adjust your choice based on the road direction signs above. If you do not have enough time to change lanes, it is better to enter in the wrong direction than to force a last-minute lane change.
Exiting a Roundabout:
When exiting, be sure to signal with your right-turn indicator well in advance and use your turn signals correctly to assist with the lane change. If heavy traffic prevents you from changing lanes from the inner lane when exiting, continue circulating until it is safe to change lanes and switch as quickly as possible to the rightmost lane (the further right, the better) for exiting. In roundabouts that are divided into several separate islands, if taking a left turn while circulating, enter from the rightmost lane; if going straight, choose either the middle or the leftmost lane. The key term to remember here is indirecto.
Lane Selection and Intersection Driving
When Driving Straight:
If the road has three lanes, you should typically use the first lane from right to left.
If there are more than three lanes, it is recommended to use the second lane.
At Intersections:
Avoid stopping on pedestrian crossings, bicycle lanes, or other special zones—especially in congested areas marked by grid patterns.
If the vehicle in front stops due to insufficient space, stop in advance and wait, ensuring your stopping position does not block these special areas.
Safe Driving and Right-of-Way Awareness
Spanish traffic regulations are very strict regarding right-of-way. People have a strong sense of it. On pedestrian crossings without traffic signals, pedestrians have absolute priority—they do not habitually check for oncoming vehicles and may suddenly cross. Therefore, when driving in areas where you do not have the right-of-way, remain highly alert—especially on sections marked with yield signs. Always check for vehicles coming from behind on bicycle or motor vehicle lanes, and turn your head to confirm the situation.
However, when you have a green light, even if there are pedestrians on the crosswalk, the driver must not decelerate or stop prematurely unless faced with an unavoidable emergency; in such cases, only emergency braking is permitted. When passing a pedestrian crossing without traffic lights, reduce your speed appropriately; if there are signs indicating the presence of students or children, you must also apply the brakes to decelerate. Generally, urban road speed limits are 50 km/h, while single-lane roads may be limited to 30 or 20 km/h. Outside the city, speed limits are typically 90 km/h, and highways are 120 km/h. In general, it is recommended to drive as close to the maximum speed limit as possible—even exceeding the limit by 2–5 km/h is acceptable.
STOP Sign and Temporary Stopping Requirements
When encountering a STOP line on the road, the driver must stop before the line and wait for 3 seconds. After crossing the line by approximately 1–2 meters, stop again to observe the traffic conditions—this two-stage stopping is a requirement of the exam. If visibility is poor, you should stop multiple times to ensure safety. However, if there is also traffic light control, you must strictly follow the traffic light; if the light is green, stopping is not allowed and will incur penalty points. If there is no STOP line, extend your vehicle about one meter beyond the intersection, stop for at least 3 seconds, confirm that it is safe, and then proceed.
Driving Test Process and Strategies
The driving test typically begins with 3–5 minutes of free driving, after which the examiner will issue instructions based on the situation. Since many road sections may be unfamiliar during your first drive, it is recommended to observe distant road signs in advance. For example, when entering a roundabout, you might need to enter from the left lane while the right lane is for other directions—traffic signs are usually placed above the intersection. Sometimes, making a left turn does not necessarily mean using the left lane; it may require executing the turn from the right lane. In all such cases, carefully observe the road or high-positioned signs ahead and prepare to change lanes accordingly. If you do not have enough time to change lanes, it is better not to follow the examiner’s instruction than to force a lane change.
If road guidance signs are obscured by large vehicles or have faded lettering that makes them difficult to discern, and if the intersection does not have clear directional or prohibitory signs, you may observe the instructor’s hand gestures for guidance. In uncertain situations, it is recommended to choose a right turn and avoid left turns as much as possible.
The road sign above shows that this roundabout is entered from the left lane; if you intend to enter the roundabout, change lanes to the left in advance.
This intersection has both a STOP sign and traffic lights; you must follow the traffic light on the right as the priority. Stop on a red light, and do not stop on a green light—proceed directly.
The road guidance sign indicates that only right turns are allowed, but there is no sign prohibiting left turns at the intersection. Therefore, if a large vehicle obstructs the road guidance lines, it can be difficult to know that a left turn is not permitted.
Two ways to navigate a roundabout.
