Driving test on the Arenal motorway halted: instructor tested positive for alcohol — who protects the test-takers?

Test on the motorway stopped: breath alcohol test brings everything to a halt

A normal test morning turned into a scene you would rather not experience near the airport: Around 9:20 a.m. the Guardia Civil stopped a driving school vehicle on the motorway by Palma. Two young test-takers and their instructor were still in the car when officers conducted a breath alcohol test. The result was positive — the practical test was aborted even before returning to the testing centre. More details on the case are available in Drunk Driving Instructor in Palma Stops Tests – Who Pays for the Damage?.

Unease, questions and a bad feeling

The two test-takers are visibly shaken. One reports that the instructor had already behaved "strangely" before they set off: unusually loud laughter, nervous gestures, frequent physical contact. In the early morning air there was still the scent of coffee from the cafés on Passeig Mallorca, while engines hummed on the motorway and occasional horns sounded — not exactly confidence-inspiring.

The central question occupying many: should the test have been allowed to start at all? The responsible examiner from the traffic authority accompanied the drive; officers say the check was routine. But for those affected the experience remains traumatic: lost time, incurred costs and the uncertainty whether they could ever have trusted the instructor.

Driving school stays silent, test-takers demand transparency

The driving school has so far remained tight-lipped. According to the test-takers there was neither an apology nor an offer of compensation — no free replacement lesson, no discount for re-registering. Instead, the official test fees must be paid again. "That doesn't feel fair," says one of the test-takers. "We lost time and money."

Whether and to what extent the driving school is legally liable is still unclear. Disciplinary or criminal proceedings against the instructor will depend on the further course of the Guardia Civil's investigation and internal inquiries at the driving school.

More than an isolated case — a growing problem?

In recent months there have been increasing reports from Mallorca about driving instructors who were found to have alcohol or drugs during checks. One related incident is Sparks on the Autopista: 14 Kilometres Without Tires – Suspected Alcohol Use Shakes Commuters. This is not merely a PR problem: instructors bear responsibility in particularly sensitive situations — they sit next to people who have no driving experience, on high-speed motorways or in stressful traffic conditions. Incidents with tragic outcomes, such as Alcúdia: Who Was Really at the Wheel? A Reality Check on Alcohol, Responsibility and Investigations, underline the stakes. The danger is obvious when control measures or prevention tools are missing.

Key question: Why do existing protection mechanisms apparently fall short, and how can tests be made safer for learners?

Where the system fails — and what could help?

A look behind the scenes reveals several weaknesses: there is a lack of clear rules on mandatory checks of instructors before test drives, no transparent reporting channels for test-takers and no binding sanctions for driving schools that fail to address incidents. Instead, much remains in the dark — and those affected feel abandoned.

Concrete proposals that authorities, schools and society should discuss:

Before the drive: Random breath tests for instructors before tests; requirement to have certified substitute instructors available in case an instructor cannot participate.

Transparency and rights: Clear information obligations by the driving school towards test-takers (report behaviour, offer a replacement); an official hotline for incidents during tests.

Prevention and sanctions: Uniform sanctions for violations, a public register of disciplinary measures against certified instructors; regular training on responsibility and addiction prevention.

Practical tips for test-takers

Anyone taking lessons should listen to their instincts. Recommended steps if something feels off:

- Address the behaviour immediately; speak up about specific concerns.

- If discomfort continues, refuse to continue the drive and insist on a change of instructor.

- If you suspect alcohol or drug use, call the police or inform the examiner present; document the time and sequence of events and name witnesses.

- Demand fees and claims in writing from the driving school, take notes of conversations and seek legal advice if necessary.

Reactions from the neighbourhood

During the afternoon, residents, instructors and other learners discussed the incident in a small canteen on Passeig Mallorca. "You hear such stories and think it only happens elsewhere," said an older woman who herself had given driving lessons. The conversation was marked by shaking heads, the smell of fried fish and the occasional clinking of dishes — a clear sign that the topic matters to people in the neighbourhood.

What remains?

The test-takers must take the practical exam again. The Guardia Civil has filed its report and investigations are ongoing. Whether the driving school will draw consequences or make amends for those affected remains to be seen. One thing is clear: this case exposes an open wound in the system. More prevention, clear rules and visible consequences are needed so that young people can feel safe when learning to drive on Mallorca's roads; similar approaches are recommended by the World Health Organization on road safety.

Our advice: Safety comes first. Anyone who senses even the slightest unease — whether in the voice, behaviour or driving style of the instructor — should have the right and the courage to stop the drive. The motorway at 9 a.m. demands full concentration, not unease and doubt.