How to Get a Driving Licence without Passing a Test

Book Theory Test Today recollects one man’s account of how easy it is to get a driving licence in Mexico City.

The BBC’s Will Grant recently spoke of his experiences about obtaining a driving licence in Mexico City. Expecting to face endless queuing and filling out lots of forms, Mr Grant explains how he got his expectations so wrong.

Mr Grant elaborates: “In many places you’re required to pass a driving theory test and practical exam in order to obtain a driving licence – not so in Mexico City. Current legislation says that all you need in this part of the world is a few documents and some cash.”

Telling his story, Mr Grant describes how upon arriving at one of the Public Ministry offices he expected to have to provide a birth certificate, fingerprints, a theory test pass certificate and a medical record showing that he was fit to drive.

However, this conversational record between Mr Grant and an attendant unravels the entire process of getting a driving licence in Mexico City…

Mr Grant: “What do I need to get a driving licence as a foreigner?”

Attendant: “A copy of your passport, your resident’s card and a recent utility bill.”

Mr Grant: “Anything else?”

Attendant: “Fill in a copy of this form and pay 677 pesos (that’s about $50/£30) at one of these three supermarkets.”

Mr Grant: “That’s it?”

Attendant: “That’s it.”

The Book Theory Test Today blogger says: “Mr Grant’s experience is not an uncommon one there are other locations in the world where there is no requirement to sit a theory test or practical driving exam. It will come as no surprise to anyone that these places have a high accident and fatality rate on their highways.”

In Mexico’s case, it’s estimated that approximately 17,000 people per year are killed on Mexican roadways. Such high numbers has led to a number of lobby groups calling for the introduction of a theory test and practical driving exam as a means of reducing the number of deaths occurring on Mexican highways.

Having obtained the documents required, specified by the attendant, Mr Grant went away and completed the necessary paperwork. He returned to the Public Ministry building with photocopies of his documents, paid the 677 pesos and within 10 minutes Mr Grant received his Mexican driving licence, free from having to take a theory test or practical driving exam.

Despite having a licence, Mr Grant still prefers to walk to work in Mexico City having experienced the chaos of driving on Mexican roads. Recollecting one experience, Mr Grant describes how he was once driving a rental car, his first experience of driving on Mexican streets, and within hours a woman crashed into his car damaging the driver door.

The Book Theory Test Today blogger says: “Mr Grant’s experiences in Mexico should serve as an eye opener to UK motorists. The theory test and practical driving exam are not in place as an obstacle, they’re in place to ensure road safety.”

Book Theory Test Today offers an intermediary service assisting clients with booking a UK theory test, or practical test, at test centres across the nation. The service also supplies resources to help you prepare for your theory test – Ready to take your theory test? Book your theory test online today…

Tags: book Theory test today news, Learning To Drive

This entry was posted on Tuesday, October 21st, 2014 at 1:03 pm and is filed under Book Theory Test Today News, Learning to Drive. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site.