DRIVING LESSONS

[roger.lawrie]

Hi does anyone know of a driving school which have instructors that speak english, have been to the one at faticil but they do not. Only looking for a few lessons to get use to left hand driving.

[blue]

I found the best way to get use to driving a left hand car was to drive as often as possible, I just used to throw the dogs in the back of the car, make sure I had a full tank of petrol & set off. I used to get lost frequently, hence the full tank of petrol, but a good way to explore.

[Mike Banks]

I agree with Blue - just get out there and do it! Preferably stay on relatively busy roads, as you will just follow the other traffic. It's a few years ago now, but the only time that I ever accidentally reverted to UK mode, was after making a right turn onto a deserted road. The other traffic will help.

[Caron]

If you remember the driver should always be in the centre of the road as you are when driving at home you won't go wrong.

[blue]

It's true about driving with traffic I found it much easier with other vehicles around, it's easier to forget on deserted country roads. My mantra when I was first driving was - "the right side of the road is the right side of the road, if you're on the left side of the road you're on the wrong side of the road". Sounds daft but it worked for me & apart from trying to change gear with the door handle occasionaly (not to be recommended ) it didn't take long to get used to driving here. Actually when I went back to the UK last I pulled out from a carpark on to the lefthand side of the road, gave myself one hell of a fright, didn't do much for the chap coming the other way either.

[ruthinportugal]

Hi, on the subject of driving lessons has anyone who speaks some or no Portuguese taken their practical and theory tests here and if so how did you find it? I understand Portuguese reasonably well but I have images of getting into the car with the examiner and my mind going blank!
Ruth

[blue]

We have been told that in order to have driving lessons here & take a test you must be able to speak Portuguese unlike the UK where you can use a translator.

[laserblazer]

The place I have to remember is going up the hill past Rascals. When you get to the two-way bit you are automatically on the wrong side of the road.

[bubbles]

The theory test for the portuguese liscence is horrific!!!!!! The codigo book is enormous and the written test itself very difficult. You have to do a minimum number of hours in the classroom before you are evn allowed in the car and have to learn about signs and rules that i have never seen or heard of before in the Algarve!!!
The driving lesson are much better and generally the instructors are understanding about it being done in a second language but again a minimum number of hours are required before you can take the test.
The most awful bit of the whole thing is sitting in a classroom with a load of 17 yr olds and being asked a question you have no idea how to understand nevermind answer.
It is also expensive per hour to do all of these mandatory lessons etc (about 12euros an hour which is steep when you have so many to do).
Be brave and just get out there (it helps having someone with you for confidence) and this is the perfect time of year to give it a try.

[Nix]

It´s probabley cheaper to fly to thr USA´,do one of their drive round the block tests,and get your licence there !!!
Or so I´ve been told ?
HP