In Catalonia, the situation with obtaining a driver’s license in 2025 has reached a critical point. Young residents dreaming of getting behind the wheel face unexpectedly long waits: sometimes it takes up to eight months just to get a slot for the practical exam. As a result, many give up and travel to other parts of the country to speed up the process.
For example, Ines B. from Barcelona decided not to waste any time and went to Cuenca, where she managed to take the exam in just a week. She is not alone: such stories are becoming increasingly common. A 500-kilometer trip, spending money on accommodation and food—all this turns out to be more advantageous than waiting endlessly at home. Transferring to another driving school is not always a solution either: new waitlists and extra months of delay only complicate the situation.
The problem is worsened by the fact that in Catalonia, more than 78,000 people who have already passed the theory test are currently waiting for their turn to take the practical exam. Regional authorities are trying to find a solution: they are discussing bringing in extra examiners and even delegating some responsibilities to local bodies. Recently, an addition of 25 new specialists was approved, but this is clearly not enough to resolve the issue.
Some driving schools in other regions, like Cuenca, report a surge of students from Catalonia. Over the past few months, hundreds of Catalans have enrolled there, and Catalan can now often be heard in local cafes. Young people are banding together, renting apartments, and taking intensive courses to avoid losing time.
The situation is complicated not only by a shortage of examiners, but also by daily restrictions on the number of tests given. The Catalan authorities have repeatedly raised the issue of transferring the authority to organize exams to the local level, but no decision has been made so far. Regional parliament is discussing various options, but for now, students are forced to look for workarounds.
According to the Federation of Driving Schools, most of those affected by delays are young people under 30. In Barcelona, there is also a shortage of instructors, which further slows the process. In other regions, in contrast, it’s possible to choose a convenient schedule and complete training faster. Additional pressure comes from the rule that if you fail the exam, you have to wait three months before the next attempt.
While authorities promise new measures and driving schools search for ways to handle the surge in demand, thousands of young Catalans continue to look for faster solutions—even if it means traveling to the other end of the country.
