... in response to Wife learning to drive, posted by valuedcustomer on May 8, 2005First, she took a course in Bogota at my request, which I paid for.
I spent several months of taking her out of town to the farm areas (usually 45-60 minute drive) and to new subdivision construction where roads are finished but no homes or cars parked. We went one to three times a week. Had her drive my old Montero, at the time with 300k plus miles. Started slowly, simple lessons. How to put in gear, then stop, place in park, etc. We worked on basics quite a while. At first, I would make her pull over for any oncoming traffic just to be cautious. But in these areas, we could easily drive 10-30 minutes without an encounter. Usually 30-60 minutes was all that she needed. After several months she was doing quite well and actually able to drive around obstacles, signal, make turns, stop properly at intersections, awareness increasing. Later we graduated to driving around town (Houston west side suburbs) but only late night and roads of my choosing. It all went quite smoothly, except for the stress of actually taking this responsibility. I was comfortable with her being on her own (although I did not yet do so) by time I took her to take the writen and driving test at DPS, which she passed quite easily. Did not quite succeed in parallel parking the large vehicle but did the moves correctly. It would have been completed if in a smaller car. A month or two after receiving license she was basically on her own in the worst traffic Houston has to offer. She is now quite a competent driver. Oh, also had the issue of her English still being poor at this time. I had early on acquired a Drivers Handbook from the DPS in Spanish. Asked her to read over twice. Answer questions. We discussed each chapter and the questions/answers. I asked her questions about signs, lights, etc. while I was driving.
Her best friend ended up taking course and required much more time to be on her own. Still no where near as good a driver, even with follow up work in course and from her husband. He has not really made much of an effort to assist her and prefers to lay on the couch watching the news or a game. Take note: Are you ready and willing to take on this committment? You can make all the difference if you are willing to do so.
For most instances, I would recommend that she take a course in her native country first. Then both a course here and work with her yourself. Commit the time and expect it to take months. If she is already here, perhaps on the next trip home she can take a course there. The down side is the difference in driving here and there. In my opinion, if you can survive driving in any large latin metro area you can learn to drive here. Police, traffic signs and lights are merely "suggestions" in latin cities. We are mindless sheep who, for the most part, blindly obey everything. When was the last time you sat at a neighborhood light at 3-5 AM and waited for a green light when there is obviously no other car moving? We worry about the police car hiding or some possible camera that detects running a red light. Aarrgghh!
Good luck and be safe.
