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This is for those waiting on their gals' visas - driving, OUCH.
Basically, you've got 3 major obstacles when she arrives-

Social Security number
English Classes
Drivers Lisence

That driving is a killer!  As hap-hazard as they drive in Colombia - she will not have a clue about going 65 mph on a freeway.  Here's what I did:
It was obvious that my critique on her performance was only going to cause a major bump in our relationship.  I checked out the driving schools - no way, too expensive.  I then enlisted a good friend to give her lessons.  Only set me back a couple of 12 packs - worked great.  And that test at the DMV or DPS, well the written part is a joke - you can actually find the questions online - and it's also given in spanish in Texas.  But in Texas however, the driving part of the exam is tough - they seem to be really tough on immigrants.  So my 2 cents - get a friend to assist - if not expect some "heated" discussion, and you'll be scared sh%itless.

Hope that helps...

... in response to Latinas behind the wheel, posted by cancunhound on Aug 3, 2003

If you want your "honeymoon period" to last longer, don't teach your wife to drive yourself.

It took me 2 years to get the courage enough to learn to drive.

Incidents while learning:

Hit a tree and drive forward instead of backwards. Poor tree, didn't survive the accident.

Turn around the corner too fast and hit the sidewalk because I couldn't stop the car.

Stop! really means Stop!

Took the written test in Spanish and failed for 5 points because I have read the book in English and just couldn't understand how the translation related to each other.

Took the test in English and passed.

The driving test in Seattle was very easy.

Incidents after learning to drive: (1 and a half year)

No accidents at all.
Got a fine for driving 28 in a school zone. $157 bucks.

I got comfortable with my driving before getting in the high-way.

One of the things I learned first was that the less I change lines the better off I am.

Still learning a lot everyday.

... in response to Re: Latinas behind the wheel, posted by Georgina on Aug 5, 2003

In Cali they have these red octagon signs thay say "ALTO".They look like a stop sign but must not be,nobody stops at them.

Pete

... in response to Latinas behind the wheel, posted by cancunhound on Aug 3, 2003

I just had an encounter with one.An OOM(old Oriental man).
He turned right in front of me at a signal,I had a green light.Nice old man,maybe 70- 75.Said he was sorry,tried to explain what he was doing in the intersection on a red light.
Oriental drivers  have a very bad reputation around here.Of course being Oriental is not the issue,its probably never haven driven a car till they get here.
We have about 40 % latins in San Jose,but maybe 30% of them grew up here and know how to drive.Many of the 20% or so orientals are immigrants,a much higher percentage.We got alot of them after Vietnam when we opened the borders to them.Political refugees.The government tried to distribute them throughout the country but very quickly they congregated together,San Jose and Los Angeles being where most wound up.
Probably the latino immigrants have had more driving experience before they get here.There is the joke about orientals here but usualy they are just very slowly getting in your way.Insurance rates depend on where you live.They are higher in the Oriental area of town.
I hit the guy at about 15 MPH,was able to hit the brakes but not stop.Dammed lucky the air bag didn't go off.My golden retriever was with me.No damage.My wife said she wasn't going to let him ride with me anymore(joking)I told her it could have happened to you,someone turning right in front of you,no chance to stop.I got blammed one time for a chip in her windshield.A rock kicked up,nothing I could do."You damage my car she says." She lucked out,the chip started cracking down the windshield and I had to replace it.Otherwise it would have been chip repair and she probably would never let me forget it.
The front end of my BMW is pretty screwed up.I was able to pull the fender away from the tire enough to drive home.At least the guy has insurance.I will probably be driving some stupid rental car for 2 -4 weeks.
Definition: Double Whammy  -  oriental woman driver.Could apply to your latina as well.

Pete

... in response to Speaking of immigrant drivers, posted by Pete E on Aug 4, 2003

All the Mexicans run out and buy auto insurance.

... in response to Hey Pete - Know how to tell if Asians ar..., posted by Jeff S on Aug 5, 2003

Why is Sunday morning the safest time to drive your car in Los Angeles?
The whites are in church
The blacks are in jail
The jews are in Palm Springs
The Mexicans can't get their cars started

Its an old joke so no oriental line.Hmm, still at the card club?

Pete

... in response to OK,- - - reminds me of a bad joke, posted by Pete E on Aug 5, 2003

The Pai Gao tables are still full...

... in response to Hey Pete - Know how to tell if Asians ar..., posted by Jeff S on Aug 5, 2003

A lot of people joke about this but, has anyone ever heard of an asian race car driver?  I haven't.  It is strange since there are more asians than any other race (in the world).

... in response to Re: Hey Pete - Know how to tell if Asian..., posted by HeyNow on Aug 5, 2003

Both NASCAR races and formula 1:

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/motorsports/6119564.htm
http://www.f1jordan.com/html/team/drivers/sato.asp

- Jeff

... in response to Speaking of immigrant drivers, posted by Pete E on Aug 4, 2003

PETE!  Haven't Moonbeam, Gray "I wanna be an energy trader" Davis and King Willie sent you to sensitivity training yet? You're not supposed to say Oriental the correct word is Asian.  ;)  -David

... in response to Re: Speaking of immigrant drivers, posted by DavidMN on Aug 5, 2003

I guess my sons term for them "ornimental" would not be acceptable.
Actually I have lots of asian friends.You meet all kinds of people living here.

Pete

... in response to Latinas behind the wheel, posted by cancunhound on Aug 3, 2003

I had a nightmare experience when my ex-wife was learning how to drive.  She did not respond very well to me trying to give her advice, I knew I was out of my league.

At one point, she tried to pull her new car (Honda Civic with only 26 miles on it) into the garage, when I heard this awful noise.  She drove it THROUGH my garage, taking out both garage doors and the brick divider between them.  I had to make a homeowners claim and paid the car ($3700) out of pocket because she was not insured.

I called Sears Driving School immediately.  Somehow, someway, that old man taught her how to drive.

This topic can be funny, but remember these are automobiles, and someone can get hurt during this proces...

JunFan

... in response to Re: Latinas behind the wheel, posted by JunFan on Aug 3, 2003

Mike,
I remember that story.Also a guy,maybe it was here had his wife drive through several lawns and hit a tree and total the car.Funny story but also a good point.Someone could get hurt because a lady doesn't  want to admit she does not know what the hell she is doing.
Before my wife got her licence she was just driving anyway,like no big deal.I think she thought it was not important or she she could just talk any cop out of writting her up.I called the DMV and police to find out what they would do if she got caught.
The answer was:
1.Impound the car and keep it 30 days ,then I pay several hundred dollars to get it back.
2.She cannot get a licence for at least a year.
3.It is a misdemeanor,a criminal offense,not a traffic offense,goes on a police record.
4.She gets points added to her driving record equal to several  tickets,which would drive the insurance through the roof.
I had a friend translate the details to her and tell her if that happened  I would just sell the car.She was very upset,didn't like me telling her what to do.
But she didn't drive it alone  any more untill she got her licence.
She is a pretty good driver now but she scared me for awhile.I am a little surprised there was not at least one accident.

Pete

... in response to Latinas behind the wheel, posted by cancunhound on Aug 3, 2003

My wife had little trouble with the written exam,it was in spanish.But here in California they are very tough on the drive test,over 50% fail.It took my wife 4 trys.Test number 3 she was hoping to get this latina examiner who seemed nice.But out walks this old battle ax bit-h.Oh no! says my wife.She was right.Flunked time number 3 and the lady gave her a really hard time.The next test we went to a DMV in a very upscale area.They treat you better there,she passed the first time.
My wifes biggest problem was she wouldn't look before changing lanes.I guess that is Cali style,the driver in front does whatever they want the one behind is supposed to miss them.She is a pretty good driver now.She still will overshoot stop bars and cross walks and not always come to a full stop.I told her some time in the first 6 months she would come home crying with a dented fender but it didn't happen.

Pete