So.... how are the driving lessons going?

[slim 1,514]

Welcome back, TG. Sounds like you guys are about where we are in the driving stages.

I've had a few "tense moments" while out on the streets but she's making pretty good progress. Driving around town isn't so bad, it's the parking lots and that whole "reverse" thing that's still kind of tricky. I'm hoping it gets easier with practice.

The manueverability is tricky. (Here, there is a "cones" test where one must manuever through some cones and then reverse back through them, similar to a parallel parking test.) We're practicing that quite a bit in abandoned parking lots. We acquired a few cones and set them up just like the test.

She's passed the written test and has a physical driving test set up for two weeks from now. We're going to hit the cones hard (well, manuever around them, anyway... I hope we don't "hit" any of them!) and practice on the streets. We live in a busy area and it's very nerve-racking, even for me, so we'll be practicing hard the next couple of weeks.

I'll keep everyone updated. For me, this is almost as big a deal as the interview in Moscow! I'm going to be on here like, "Only 3 hours til the test! I can't sleep."

[Turboguy 6]

Thanks Slim,

In Pennsylvania you need to take the written test and physical to get the learners permit. I guess it makes sense to know someone is healthy and knows the rules of the road before they get behind the wheel.

The rules of the road still don't seem totally in her noggin. She asks me on each intersection what she should do. I think she usualy knows but wants to confirm it. Then if there is a side road angling in and she sees a yield sign she thinks she should yield even though the sign is on the other road. I think my gal is a ways away from driving on her own but she does not seem to be in a hurry for the test.

I do get some white knuckles sometimes.

[Neonred 3,461]

Thanks Slim,

In Pennsylvania you need to take the written test and physical to get the learners permit. I guess it makes sense to know someone is healthy and knows the rules of the road before they get behind the wheel.

The rules of the road still don't seem totally in her noggin. She asks me on each intersection what she should do. I think she usualy knows but wants to confirm it. Then if there is a side road angling in and she sees a yield sign she thinks she should yield even though the sign is on the other road. I think my gal is a ways away from driving on her own but she does not seem to be in a hurry for the test.

I do get some white knuckles sometimes.

Wow, they have to take a physical in PA? Here in Florida for renewals if you are over 90 or have an oxygen tank and a walker they waive the test and issue a lifetime license....at least it appears that way.

[eekee 182]

when i got my learner's permit in PA I didn't take any kind of physical. did they change it in the last five years or something?

Thanks Slim,

In Pennsylvania you need to take the written test and physical to get the learners permit. I guess it makes sense to know someone is healthy and knows the rules of the road before they get behind the wheel.

The rules of the road still don't seem totally in her noggin. She asks me on each intersection what she should do. I think she usualy knows but wants to confirm it. Then if there is a side road angling in and she sees a yield sign she thinks she should yield even though the sign is on the other road. I think my gal is a ways away from driving on her own but she does not seem to be in a hurry for the test.

I do get some white knuckles sometimes.

Wow, they have to take a physical in PA? Here in Florida for renewals if you are over 90 or have an oxygen tank and a walker they waive the test and issue a lifetime license....at least it appears that way.

[akdiver 3]

I don't understand why this whole driving lessons thread exists. Driving is not very hard people. My wife, who did not drive in Russia, got her driver's license after being here a little less than a month - and a license to drive a motorcycle the following summer. Unless there is some kind of paperwork problem, I dunno why it should take much longer than this.

[eekee 182]

I never got my license because I totaled my brother's car with my mom is the passenger seat while I had my learner's permit. I probably will get it one day, but with a professional driving instructor teaching me how to drive.

I don't understand why this whole driving lessons thread exists. Driving is not very hard people. My wife, who did not drive in Russia, got her driver's license after being here a little less than a month - and a license to drive a motorcycle the following summer. Unless there is some kind of paperwork problem, I dunno why it should take much longer than this.

Edited May 13, 2008 by eekee

[Chuckles 0]

I don't understand why this whole driving lessons thread exists. Driving is not very hard people. My wife, who did not drive in Russia, got her driver's license after being here a little less than a month - and a license to drive a motorcycle the following summer. Unless there is some kind of paperwork problem, I dunno why it should take much longer than this.

If everyone was like your wife, then there would be no thread. Obviously you are in the minority. Seems pretty strait forward.

[Blues Fairy 0]

It seems odd to me that you are required to have insurance to apply for a drivers liscence. People are not insured, vehicles are. In Pennsylvania the car you take your drivers test in must be insured. Are you sure you are reading the instructions properly B.F. Remember they were written by government employees who are not recognized for making anything clear.

Sorry, but I still have my reading license. NC DMV gives me the list of required docs in black ink:

- proof of residency;

- proof of age and identity;

- proof of liability insurance;

- SS card.

All these are required even at a learner's permit stage. Besides, they verify the person's legal status in the country and it may take them another 2 months, I am told.

[Turboguy 6]

I think the main thing they want with the physical is to keep anyone off the road that may end be prone to seizures or fainting spells or the like.

The residency requirements in PA can be tough as well. Voyager went through some difficulties with that part. We got lucky and breezed through that part. You need a couple of bills with your name on and a bank account to that address here.

Yes, I think AK got lucky. We go out driving every day for an hour and a half and I think she is a good month away from her test at best. She still misses some stop signs, has a hard time with yields and has some rough spots to work out. Yesterday I had her on her first expressway. It went ok. I am still alive and the pickup is still in one piece.

[slim 1,514]

Wow, they have to take a physical in PA? Here in Florida for renewals if you are over 90 or have an oxygen tank and a walker they waive the test and issue a lifetime license....at least it appears that way.

They should have a "phone books required" stamp on the license. I've seen more than a few blue-hairs peeking up over the wheel as they pilot their 19-footers down I-75 going appx. 54MPH. Check the plates..... myflorida.com, of course.

I don't understand why this whole driving lessons thread exists. Driving is not very hard people. My wife, who did not drive in Russia, got her driver's license after being here a little less than a month - and a license to drive a motorcycle the following summer. Unless there is some kind of paperwork problem, I dunno why it should take much longer than this.

Your wife also has a job. I didn't think working and paying bills was a hard concept to grasp either, but apparently it's pretty tough for some of the Russian ladies.

[akdiver 3]

Your wife also has a job. I didn't think working and paying bills was a hard concept to grasp either, but apparently it's pretty tough for some of the Russian ladies.

HAHAHAAHAHA. Thanks for the laugh man (:

Your comments about "being a fashionable girl" and you getting a second job (in this thread or another, don't remember which) got my attention. Is this causing much tension for you? This would be a serious problem for me - there is no way I could put up with a non-contributor or someone with the attitude your wife seems to have (as you describe here). Are you guys doing OK?

As for my wifey - yeah, she has a job (: She just (as in this month) got her master's degree (second overall, first American one) and is going out on interviews. She has a second interview with one place today - as a logistics manager (first interview was via phone, we were in Russia - then they wanted her to take some internet based leadership and skills tests, which she also did from Russia). I told her that all research seems to indicate this job should pay in the 50-60K range and that she should tell them she would be happy with $55K, based on her skills, education, experience, etc. - if the subject of money comes up in this interview. We'll see how it goes (:

Maybe if wifey gets this new job, she'll buy a motorcycle so we can ride together (:

As for getting a DL - well, 10 minutes of driving around should make it obvious to anyone that one needs no driving skills whatsoever to get a license. I just don't see why getting one seems to be so hard for some of these ladies.

Cheers!

AKDiver

Edited May 13, 2008 by akdiver

[slim 1,514]

I completely agree with you AKD, and yes, it does cause me some tension. Sure, there are some issues here at the house but one day it's crazy, and the next day it's wonderful. I really don't know what to do some I'm just rolling with it.... for now.

I'm hoping that one day it will just "come together" and either she'll get it, or I'll finally get her, and it will all make sense. Until then, as we say around here... it's 50/50!

[akdiver 3]

I completely agree with you AKD, and yes, it does cause me some tension. Sure, there are some issues here at the house but one day it's crazy, and the next day it's wonderful. I really don't know what to do some I'm just rolling with it.... for now. I'm hoping that one day it will just "come together" and either she'll get it, or I'll finally get her, and it will all make sense. Until then, as we say around here... it's 50/50!

I'm happy to have avoided this issue - for at least two reasons. First, she is career-oriented to begin with (she had her own travel agency in Russia, for example). Second, we talked about this issue in advance and had an understanding.

I think that pretty much the only thing that could do us in is the offspring issue - she wants a kid, I do not. We talked about this in advance too - agreed it could be a problem at some point - but decided to get married anyway. I got a reprieve for at least 5 years after getting married - quickly coming up on the third anniversary. I guess in another two plus years, I'm scheduled for a lifetime of child-induced misery. I guess that's a step above poverty-induced misery though.

[Satellite 1]

I think that pretty much the only thing that could do us in is the offspring issue - she wants a kid, I do not. We talked about this in advance too - agreed it could be a problem at some point - but decided to get married anyway. I got a reprieve for at least 5 years after getting married - quickly coming up on the third anniversary. I guess in another two plus years, I'm scheduled for a lifetime of child-induced misery.

If a woman is set on having kids, she will, whether you like it or not. If not with you, then with someone else, if you get my rift on the subject. Edited May 14, 2008 by Satellite

[akdiver 3]

I think that pretty much the only thing that could do us in is the offspring issue - she wants a kid, I do not. We talked about this in advance too - agreed it could be a problem at some point - but decided to get married anyway. I got a reprieve for at least 5 years after getting married - quickly coming up on the third anniversary. I guess in another two plus years, I'm scheduled for a lifetime of child-induced misery.

If a woman is set on having kids, she will, whether you like it or not. If not with you, then with someone else, if you get my rift on the subject.

Uh....yes....but not sure what your point is. Like I said - I have a 5 year reprieve before having to fulfill my end of the agreement. After that - let the misery begin.