Originally Posted by Brandon_SLC

Brings back some fun memories. I learned to drive in my parents 1973 Cadillac Sedan Deville. It was so huge! I did my practice in that and my older sister's Mazda with manual transmission. It all came very easy for me.

My sister sounds more like your student though! Riding with her on a freeway induced as much adrenaline as most roller coasters. She actually got her brand new Mazda just before she got her driver's license, and in a year or so it was pretty beat and banged up. She never admitted responsibility for one dent, even though it had a new one every few weeks. They all happened "while I was parked".

I had a great Driver's Ed teacher! Unfortunately we moved overseas before I could get my license, so I ended up having to wait till I was almost 18. I think I had about 30k miles of practice before I finally took my driving test. I had a lot of observational learning as I traveled the world with my parents. Rome, where you drive as fast as you can at all times. and Iran where there are no rules. Really, no rules at all.

Anyways, sounds like she's in the right kind of car. Needs to be tough and not too valuable. And I definitely agree, she sounds like the wrong kind of person to be learning in an SUV.

Now that she can keep the car in her own lane, she needs to learn about defensive driving techniques. My sister, somehow, never did. Seems like all of her cars met their demise in car accidents. I remember back in the early 90's she wanted a Ford Explorer. I totally freaked out! She'd surely be dead now, if she'd bought one. My mom and I went out and bought her a slightly used Chrysler Minivan, instead. Since there were no car payments, she ended up keeping it for many years. Long enough for Chrysler to replace her transmission 8 times! Other than that it was very reliable, comfortable and safe.