Teaching your foreign spouse to drive

[EminTX 131]

My husband is learning to drive here. He hasn't driven in about 15 years in his own country and his experiences there were NOT positive. He is doing well, but our circumstances require that we not just lolly-gag along and waste too much time.

I'd love to have input on increasing confidence and any tips from others to help encourage this process.

How many tries for the written test AND for the driving test for others? Any issues with language barriers? Any websites that were helpful to study? Any specific stories or whatnot to tell? Has anyone had any luck in finding a driving school?

Gimme all the dirt, please.

One incident this week that boosted his confidence: He was out working some manual labor with someone this week when the guy told him to go move the truck. My husband balked but the guy yelled at him to "Just do it, dammit!" So...he did. With no problems. Then he did it several more times. The trust that the other guy had in him to use his truck without reservation while knowing that my husband is a beginning driver put my sweetie on cloud nine.

[reese1 68]

Here is a site that lets you choose your state and take the practice test for the traffic signs and written test. Some, not sure if all DMV let you take the written test in different languages.

http://www.uscdl.com/Ohio-Drivers-License-Written-Practice-Tests-Exam.php

Friends husband took the test in English (failed) but he did better than when he took it in his native language. So far he has taken it twice and failed both times. Although he did not study either he just read over the guide once.

[Gosia & Tito 199]

My husband is learning to drive here. He hasn't driven in about 15 years in his own country and his experiences there were NOT positive. He is doing well, but our circumstances require that we not just lolly-gag along and waste too much time.

I'd love to have input on increasing confidence and any tips from others to help encourage this process.

How many tries for the written test AND for the driving test for others? Any issues with language barriers? Any websites that were helpful to study? Any specific stories or whatnot to tell? Has anyone had any luck in finding a driving school?

Gimme all the dirt, please.

One incident this week that boosted his confidence: He was out working some manual labor with someone this week when the guy told him to go move the truck. My husband balked but the guy yelled at him to "Just do it, dammit!" So...he did. With no problems. Then he did it several more times. The trust that the other guy had in him to use his truck without reservation while knowing that my husband is a beginning driver put my sweetie on cloud nine.

There are some driving schools that would take an adult...Surprisingly, most cater only to teenagers.

I am teaching my wife the basics...she had never driven in her life. It seems best to have an automatic and in our case, we have a truck and that is what she will be driving. Being high over ground and bigger than other cars seems to boost confidence.

One thing we are planning to do when the time comes is to practice in the same area where the DPS has their tests (usually behind the building in our area). Note that a visit to the DPS is a whole day thing, unless you show up super early, and I mean at least 1 hour before they open. I might even plan on having the written test one day and the driving the other, it's very stressful being there.

The written test, from what I've seen, is fairly simple and in most cases answers are common sense...however, it might just be common sense to someone who has been driving for a while and not for a new driver.

I had been thinking that it might be worth to enroll my wife in one of those defensive driving classes that we have around. It's a 6 hour (can be done in 2 3hr sittings). Reason: because they stress some of the possible questions where you really need to memorize a number or situation. There are defensive classes given in Spanish.

Finally, the difficulties of driving in Lima to driving here are like night and day. We were in Lima recently and my wife has not yet recovered of the experience (not that she was driving, I was); but that actually helped as she could contrast how "easy" it would be to drive here in comparison.

The TX handbook is here: http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/DriverLicense/ApplyforLicense.htm

It's as boring as you can imagine....

In some locations, it is fairly easy to get the test done in Spanish, but he will have to understand the signs as they are here (which are different than in Peru). Extra care needs to be done with certain practices/habits: in Peru, a Stop sign is mainly used to slow down but not really stop...a hard to break habit; people race thru yellow lights, you might want to get in the habit of slowing down and stopping.

Generally, rules here are same as they would be in Peru -if people would actually follow them-

Edited January 27, 2013 by Gosia & Tito

[Penguin_ie 5,996]

I am the foreign spouse, I had to learn from scratch as I'd never driven before. We did a good bit of driving in an abandoned parking lot to start, and then in our quiet neighbourhood during the day. I also drove around with friends a couple of times, that really helped, as it gave me a different perspective on rules, different tips on driving culture, and frankly, I was more receptive to their criticism than when my husband corrected me

In our state, the theory test is multiple choice so it is easy. I was able to get a "rules of the road" booklet from the local DMV and studied that.

When it came to the driving test, the trooper was pleasantly surprised to not have a teenager for a change I think. Mind you, I was lucky in a way because the teen boy before me drove into a mailbox and was so frazzled, the trooper had to drive the damaged car back to the testing center, so as we walked out to my car, the trooper said to me: "Tell you what- don't kill either of us and I'll pass you!"

[Mithra 1,185]

My husband drove a little in Egypt but still needed a LOT of help when he got here. I had him drive around in parking lots and our old apt. complex for a couple months before getting his license. It took him two tries with the written test. The first was in Arabic which he failed. Surprisingly he passed the English version. He took both the same day. He failed his first driving test because he sucks at parallel parking. He took another about a week or so later and passed. I guess from start to license in hand took about 3 months. I was terrified to drive with him in the beginning. I still get a bit nervous with him driving 5+ yrs later but then I'm a bit of a control freak.

Edited January 27, 2013 by Mithra

[epsonderby 85]

I'm the foreign spouse and I'm just working up to taking the written test. I haven't ever had a license before - have always lived and worked in large cities with good public transport, or just been in places I could walk. Right now I live out in the country and I'm so reliant on my wife to drive me around.

I have been practicing driving a little, but only around our circle. I'm just looking forward to studying now that I have the time.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

My husband is learning to drive here. He hasn't driven in about 15 years in his own country and his experiences there were NOT positive. He is doing well, but our circumstances require that we not just lolly-gag along and waste too much time.

I'd love to have input on increasing confidence and any tips from others to help encourage this process.

How many tries for the written test AND for the driving test for others? Any issues with language barriers? Any websites that were helpful to study? Any specific stories or whatnot to tell? Has anyone had any luck in finding a driving school?

Gimme all the dirt, please.

One incident this week that boosted his confidence: He was out working some manual labor with someone this week when the guy told him to go move the truck. My husband balked but the guy yelled at him to "Just do it, dammit!" So...he did. With no problems. Then he did it several more times. The trust that the other guy had in him to use his truck without reservation while knowing that my husband is a beginning driver put my sweetie on cloud nine.

I taught my wife and both our sns to drive. I strongly suggest professional driving lessons if you can. My wife refused, insisting I teach her. I strongly suggest professional driving lessons.

That period is way gone by and it is not on my list of fond memories.

[Dr. Obvious 49]

I taught my wife and both our sns to drive. I strongly suggest professional driving lessons if you can. My wife refused, insisting I teach her. I strongly suggest professional driving lessons.

That period is way gone by and it is not on my list of fond memories.

I am pretty sure my husband hoped we would hurry up and crash just so the torture would end while he spent 7-8 weeks teaching me how to drive a manual. Several years later, I now prefer manuals to automatics, but it was a PITA to learn.

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

[Victor from Russia] Speaking not about learning driving process, but about getting a license, I'm not sure how it would be if I wouldn't have driving experience before, but with experience getting US driver license was easier than making chocolate chips cookies. I've had driver license in Russia for 10 years before coming to the US, and to get driver license in my state I spent one evening reading driver's manual (downloaded from DMV's site in PDF), next day I passed written exam in DMV office (it was easy after reading manual for a whole evening), then I scheduled driving exam and passed it from the 1st attempt too. I did everything on my own and didn't need any help from my wife, because everything was simple like ABC. So, for experienced foreign driver getting US driver license was very easy and took very little time.

Edited January 28, 2013 by Amy_and_Victor

[OnMyWayID 1,489]

I'd love to have input on increasing confidence and any tips from others to help encourage this process.

My wife required three times to pass the written test. The first test she missed by one question. The second test included a bunch of questions involving measurement and she missed them. The third time no problem. Language was not a barrier, the test is on a computer and the first question asks what language is preferred..

In our state adults (over 25) do not need to attend any driving courses.. When they pass the written test they are allowed to drive with another licensed driver in the car. When they feel they are ready a driving test is done a a license is given. My wife has no fear and has never driven in her life so after a few lessons its like any other person who suddenly has a vehicle and feels they can drive - A rush of "I have to go SOMEWHERE!". She has an SUV with 4WD but has still managed a couple of 360 spins with the freezing rain we have had - she takes the corners more slowly now. Her parking is still atrocious but improving.

[TBoneTX 46,156]

If driving in Lima is anything like how they drive in Guayaquil, the difference between either place and Houston is like night and day. (Actually, I prefer how people drive in Guayaquil, and I wish that it were allowed here, sigh man).

In Houston (and perhaps in all of Texas), one can take the written test in English or Spanish. The computerized test apparently quits automatically once one accumulates a certain number of correct answers, si man.

I understand that the written test has an inordinate number of questions that pertain to teenagers, so spend extra time studying those questions even if it doesn't apply to you.

I concur with previous respondents about practicing driving, si man. Parking lots after hours (such as at suburban office buildings) and public roads that have light traffic are excellent.

Edited January 28, 2013 by TBoneTX

[Stickfigure 0]

Interesting thread. I've had my driver's license in South Africa for a wile now. Driving in South Africa is a war zone. Nobody knows the rules of the road and more than 50% of people (100% of taxi drivers) have bought their licenses. The fact that I've never been in an accident makes me think I'm a pretty good driver

In terms of getting your license here, you write your learners first (permitted to drive a car as long as a valid drivers license holder is in the passenger seat next to you) This is a written test however the papers have been leaked online so everyone just downloads and memorises them. After that you apply for your drivers test which is a practical test. Yard (3 point turn, hill start, reverse and parallel) Then about a 15 min drive out on the roads.

What I'm curious to know is, if you already have a drivers license in your home country, will you be required to do the entire practical test over. I'm fine with hill start and 3 point turn but don't really feel for parallel and reversing. I'm sure I read on VJ somewhere that some guy was just asked to drive around the block. Also how many questions in the theory test have measurements? In South Africa we use the metric system, so I'll have to learn the imperial system.

[Jason32 5]

I have thought of what it will be like to teach my fiancee to drive when the time comes, but I do have experience teaching someone to drive. My niece, when she was 16. It took me a while to realize that she was looking at the hood of the car instead of the road to see where she was going. Once I told her that she needed to watch the road, things were fine. It was still a nervewracking experience...

As for what I have to look forward to with teaching my future wife, there is a language barrier, so I think she will focus on learning english better before I teach her how to drive.

[SAT 9,609]

Interesting thread. I've had my driver's license in South Africa for a wile now. Driving in South Africa is a war zone. Nobody knows the rules of the road and more than 50% of people (100% of taxi drivers) have bought their licenses. The fact that I've never been in an accident makes me think I'm a pretty good driver

Ah you have described New York City

[Stickfigure 0]

Ah you have described New York City

Haha so I have However the taxi's in South Africa are minibuses carrying 20+ people at a time