Yipeee!! I passed the "on the road" part of my drivers´ license exam as well "a la primera" as my husband says.
I felt sorry for the girl who tested with me...she didn´t last 2 minutes in the driver´s seat before the examiner told her to pull over (after she clipped the sideview mirror of a parked car and made an illegal left hand turn
) and told me to get behind the wheel...
Now I just have to wait a couple of weeks until they send me the official pink license the size of 3 3x5 cards with my pic stapled to it... along with the infamous green placard with the letter "L" (for newly licensed). With my green badge of courage, I will be allowed to drive a maximum of 80 kph (50mph) for the next year on the highways as everyone else zips by at 120 - 160kpm (75-100mph). Yippeee can´t wait.
Jazzbo, I don´t know about Canadian licenses, but U.S. licenses are not valid here in Spain if you have your residency. You must obtain your Spanish drivers´ license within 6 months after receiving residency here, which means the lovely experience of going to autoescuela with the bright eyed, eager beaver 18 year olds who have decided cars are better than mopeds. Prior to having your residency (and the 6 months following) you are permitted to drive here with the International drivers´ license.
While MAD for Madrid (sorry I missed you the other night MAD!) mentioned that there are folks here driving without the Spanish equivalent and pull the convenient "tourist" ploy if stopped, just be aware that if caught, there is a hefty fine (I think 300 euros). How can one get caught playing the tourist ploy? If they ask to see your passport, it will have been stamped with the visa required for residency. Just an FYI. I went the safe route since my stay here is leaning more towards the permanent side.
Good luck with the process!