Your Russian wife will want to drive a car. It represents to her not just mobility, but the quintessential expression of life in America, the society on wheels.
It may be that your Russian bride arrives in America with great skill at driving a car - - unlikely, but possible. If she’s skilled, all you need do is have her take your state’s written exam* and driving test to get her driving license.
But - - if she does not know how to drive, (the most likely scenario), she’ll need first to have a learner’s permit for basic instruction which too will require her passing your state’s written test*. For driving skills, I suggest that, unless her English is Very Good, you find a licensed, Russian speaking driving instructor to give her lessons rather than you trying to teach her. As you can well imagine, the last place you want to have a “do this, not that” communication problem is in a moving vehicle.
If you try to teach her to drive, you’ll find that she will likely not understand terms which to you have obvious meaning. Your directing her to “speed up” or “slow down” or “pull over” will be responded to with the question “what is this “speed up” - - “slow down” - - “pull over”? She may very well know the meanings in English of “up”, down”, and “over”, but not when used in connection with the words “speed”, “slow’, or “pull” as related to driving a car.
How I learned this I leave to your imagination. But I suggest you don’t learn it for yourself. Depending on where you live, it may be difficult, but put forth your best effort to find a Russian speaking driving instructor.
* About your state’s written exam - - most, if not all states, provide for written license exams to be given in a person’s native language. Also many states have driving test study booklets in various languages. Check with your local DMV or “surf” to find one.
Next I’ll write about a driving topic “near and dear to your heart”, insurance.
Until then, may your gas prices decrease.
Gary
