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My driving lessons
As far as my understanding goes, driving is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. Invitation of the tarmac is too tempting to resist. But such enjoyment is possible only when a person has been able to learn how to drive properly, and that’s where my story starts – learning to drive.
In my previous story I have narrated the necessity for and my experience of buying a car. However, I thought that it would be more convenient if I know at least the basics of driving before buying a car. Of course, the major part of learning will happen only when I start driving independently. So, I went to a nearby driving school and told them my requirements – a car and an instructor who knows English. Unfortunately, availability of such an instructor was scarce. Finally, the owner himself agreed to teach me driving.
With alacrity in my heart I went to the school the next day. Along with the owner I walked towards the Maruti Alto which was parked at the roadside for the first drive of my life.
First time driving
Here I should mention that the preliminary details may be a bit boring for the experienced drivers here, but it might come in handy for the uninitiated neophytes. The first thing I noticed was the clutch, accelerator and the break. Common sense told me the basic functions of accelerator and the break, but it took much longer to understand the function of the clutch. [By the way, I am still not very clear why it is necessary to press the clutch while changing the gear.]
Starting of the car was the major hurdle. After fastening the seat belt (necessary as per the laws I guess) I released the handbreak and put the key in the ignition. The gear was in neutral, therefore the engine just purred but nothing else happened. Now it was time to change the gear. The instructor had told me how to change it to first gear. I pressed the clutch, shifted the gear, and lifted my foot off the clutch. And lo! The engine stopped. Well, then the instructor told me that I need to release the clutch sloooowly and not as if it had bitten my toe. This is where the difficulty started. No matter how much I tried to release the clutch slooowly and press the accelerator at the same time, I couldn’t synchronize it and ended up stopping the car. After 2 or 3 failed attempts, the owner got impatient and started scolding, “Why don’t you understand that you have to release the clutch slooowly and press the accelerator at the same time? I tried to explain to him in vain that my understanding is not faulty but he would be too optimistic if he expects a first time driver to start the car very smoothly. This is when it occurred to me that while asking for an English speaking instructor, I should also have mentioned that he must have adequate patience. Here again my advice to majority of girls, if you are not super-efficient engine savvy (read 95% of the boys) then make sure that your instructor has lots of patience otherwise you will end up getting frustrated in the process of learning to drive and losing interest altogether.
Well, after some bickering, I was determined to start up the car, no matter what. The result was startling. As soon as I released the clutch I pressed the accelerator hard enough to make an elephant screech which in turn resulted in the car being pelted forward like a bullet from a swan off shotgun. To prevent a disaster, I immediately hit the break equally hard, bringing the car to a sudden halt. I don’t know how I managed to perform the circus, but I am glad that there was no traffic on the road. After this incident, till date the instructor has not entrusted me with the operation of clutch, break, gear AND the steering wheel. Since then, all the classes with him has been either him operating everything or me trying to do something but failing due to lack of practice.
The second instructor
Well, coming to the next phase of my driving, it was much smoother, but challenging in a different way. After two classes with the owner I realised that I am learning practically nothing. The owner was also getting impatient and wanted to assign his employees to assist me. Finally, I agreed to have another instructor. I have to admit that this person was much calmer and better in teaching. In fact, starting of the car and movement of the wheel I have learnt from him. But the challenge was somewhere else. Firstly, he knew very little English. Therefore, the instruction would be like “clutch put”, “no put” or “wheel turn”. It served the purpose, no doubt, but I wouldn’t learn why I was performing those actions, which means I may not be able to do it independently later. Sometimes he would use words like “half clutch” which I wouldn’t understand, but can’t get further explanation due to language bar. (I still do not know what ‘half clutch’ means. Can someone help me there?)
The second problem was more serious. On the first day itself I had perceived a pungent odour while driving. By the second day I was convinced of its identity – alcohol. The reddish eyes of the instructor also testified in favour of the efficiency of my olfactory nerves. I did not know whether it was safe to be out with him because I will not be able to operate the vehicle at all without his guidance. Anyway, I decided to take the risk. Well, his inebriated condition did not prevent him from giving instruction, but in his over jubilant mood, he instructed me to drive to a nearby shop where he invited his friends to join us inside the car. I guess I don’t need to explain my condition any further. There was I, a complete novice in charge of the wheel in a market road with a half drunk instructor who, head turned at the back seat is busy chatting with his friends and throwing occasional ‘clutch put, no put’ at me! It took a sharp rebuke on my part to make him throw out his friends from the car and get back to teaching.
I was between Scylla and Charybdis – on one hand I had an instructor who expected me to drive like Formula 1 driver right from the first class and on the other hand I had a very high spirited man who is always full of spirit (pun intended). By the time I got done with my classes, all my enthusiasm about driving was squeezed out of me like a lemon crushed in a squeezer.
Obtaining Learner’s Licence
The driving course consisted of 10 classes, each class for 1 hour. I was supposed to get my Learner’s Licence after 5 hours of practice. Therefore, in the prescribed Form, along with a copy of photograph, I applied for LL. This was again done by the driving school. The instructor told me it will not be much of a problem; I just need to memorize 5 symbols and that would suffice. I asked him to explain me the rest of the hand signals and symbols but he said it is not required because those are not being asked for the test! I wondered whether the symbols were meant only for show if memorizing 5 signs would make one eligible to get a licence.
In the RTO, I did not depend upon the owner to explain me the procedure. I took it upon myself to enquire about the whole thing. I took the trouble of going through the Motor Vehicles Act and the pictorial representations of all the symbols which one may come across on the way. (Fortunately or unfortunately, I happen to be an LL.B graduate). Finally, after a longwinded procedure, I finally managed to get my LL.
Third phase of driving lessons
This started after I bought my car. Nothing exceptional happened in this phase because I am learning from a friend who is a competent driver. But while taking lessons from her, I have noticed that girls tend to be over cautious. E.g. applying handbreak for every little thing when mere clutch and break would be enough. I appreciate the necessity of being cautious, but being over cautious may be self-defeating.
Anyway, that brings me to the end of this lengthy narrative. I have not yet learnt to drive independently, but I believe that now I require more of practice and less instruction.
Moral of the story
I don’t want to sound like a preacher, but from my personal experience I have learnt the following:
• If you are a girl and want to learn how to drive, it is always best to try with some friend who is experienced, can spare the time, has patience and can explain even elementary basics which may be like involuntary actions to professionals. (e.g. need to press the gas pedal more while going up on the slope, press the break on rough roads, necessity to look at the mirror etc.)
• If you choose to go to a driving school, then make sure that they meet your requirements, i.e. patient, explains everything properly, and most important of all, does not come drunk and invite friends in the car. Also, they should allow YOU to operate the car and not do everything on their own.
• Do not be too hard on yourself if you cannot perform the task at the first go. Ultimately, practice is what you need the most to make yourself efficient.
• Always remember, driving is fun, so external experiences should not have adverse effect on your interest of driving.
• There is no harm in having basic knowledge of the laws related to traffic and transport. A glance through Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 would come in handy.
• While obtaining licence, don’t depend blindly upon the driving school. Make sure that you ask the authorised officials about correct procedure. It will prepare you for future renewal of licence.
• Never compromise with safety. Your anger should not get better of you.
Happy Motoring!
As far as my understanding goes, driving is supposed to be an enjoyable experience. Invitation of the tarmac is too tempting to resist. But such enjoyment is possible only when a person has been able to learn how to drive properly, and that’s where my story starts – learning to drive.
In my previous story I have narrated the necessity for and my experience of buying a car. However, I thought that it would be more convenient if I know at least the basics of driving before buying a car. Of course, the major part of learning will happen only when I start driving independently. So, I went to a nearby driving school and told them my requirements – a car and an instructor who knows English. Unfortunately, availability of such an instructor was scarce. Finally, the owner himself agreed to teach me driving.
With alacrity in my heart I went to the school the next day. Along with the owner I walked towards the Maruti Alto which was parked at the roadside for the first drive of my life.
First time driving
Here I should mention that the preliminary details may be a bit boring for the experienced drivers here, but it might come in handy for the uninitiated neophytes. The first thing I noticed was the clutch, accelerator and the break. Common sense told me the basic functions of accelerator and the break, but it took much longer to understand the function of the clutch. [By the way, I am still not very clear why it is necessary to press the clutch while changing the gear.]
Starting of the car was the major hurdle. After fastening the seat belt (necessary as per the laws I guess) I released the handbreak and put the key in the ignition. The gear was in neutral, therefore the engine just purred but nothing else happened. Now it was time to change the gear. The instructor had told me how to change it to first gear. I pressed the clutch, shifted the gear, and lifted my foot off the clutch. And lo! The engine stopped. Well, then the instructor told me that I need to release the clutch sloooowly and not as if it had bitten my toe. This is where the difficulty started. No matter how much I tried to release the clutch slooowly and press the accelerator at the same time, I couldn’t synchronize it and ended up stopping the car. After 2 or 3 failed attempts, the owner got impatient and started scolding, “Why don’t you understand that you have to release the clutch slooowly and press the accelerator at the same time? I tried to explain to him in vain that my understanding is not faulty but he would be too optimistic if he expects a first time driver to start the car very smoothly. This is when it occurred to me that while asking for an English speaking instructor, I should also have mentioned that he must have adequate patience. Here again my advice to majority of girls, if you are not super-efficient engine savvy (read 95% of the boys) then make sure that your instructor has lots of patience otherwise you will end up getting frustrated in the process of learning to drive and losing interest altogether.
Well, after some bickering, I was determined to start up the car, no matter what. The result was startling. As soon as I released the clutch I pressed the accelerator hard enough to make an elephant screech which in turn resulted in the car being pelted forward like a bullet from a swan off shotgun. To prevent a disaster, I immediately hit the break equally hard, bringing the car to a sudden halt. I don’t know how I managed to perform the circus, but I am glad that there was no traffic on the road. After this incident, till date the instructor has not entrusted me with the operation of clutch, break, gear AND the steering wheel. Since then, all the classes with him has been either him operating everything or me trying to do something but failing due to lack of practice.
The second instructor
Well, coming to the next phase of my driving, it was much smoother, but challenging in a different way. After two classes with the owner I realised that I am learning practically nothing. The owner was also getting impatient and wanted to assign his employees to assist me. Finally, I agreed to have another instructor. I have to admit that this person was much calmer and better in teaching. In fact, starting of the car and movement of the wheel I have learnt from him. But the challenge was somewhere else. Firstly, he knew very little English. Therefore, the instruction would be like “clutch put”, “no put” or “wheel turn”. It served the purpose, no doubt, but I wouldn’t learn why I was performing those actions, which means I may not be able to do it independently later. Sometimes he would use words like “half clutch” which I wouldn’t understand, but can’t get further explanation due to language bar. (I still do not know what ‘half clutch’ means. Can someone help me there?)
The second problem was more serious. On the first day itself I had perceived a pungent odour while driving. By the second day I was convinced of its identity – alcohol. The reddish eyes of the instructor also testified in favour of the efficiency of my olfactory nerves. I did not know whether it was safe to be out with him because I will not be able to operate the vehicle at all without his guidance. Anyway, I decided to take the risk. Well, his inebriated condition did not prevent him from giving instruction, but in his over jubilant mood, he instructed me to drive to a nearby shop where he invited his friends to join us inside the car. I guess I don’t need to explain my condition any further. There was I, a complete novice in charge of the wheel in a market road with a half drunk instructor who, head turned at the back seat is busy chatting with his friends and throwing occasional ‘clutch put, no put’ at me! It took a sharp rebuke on my part to make him throw out his friends from the car and get back to teaching.
I was between Scylla and Charybdis – on one hand I had an instructor who expected me to drive like Formula 1 driver right from the first class and on the other hand I had a very high spirited man who is always full of spirit (pun intended). By the time I got done with my classes, all my enthusiasm about driving was squeezed out of me like a lemon crushed in a squeezer.
Obtaining Learner’s Licence
The driving course consisted of 10 classes, each class for 1 hour. I was supposed to get my Learner’s Licence after 5 hours of practice. Therefore, in the prescribed Form, along with a copy of photograph, I applied for LL. This was again done by the driving school. The instructor told me it will not be much of a problem; I just need to memorize 5 symbols and that would suffice. I asked him to explain me the rest of the hand signals and symbols but he said it is not required because those are not being asked for the test! I wondered whether the symbols were meant only for show if memorizing 5 signs would make one eligible to get a licence.
In the RTO, I did not depend upon the owner to explain me the procedure. I took it upon myself to enquire about the whole thing. I took the trouble of going through the Motor Vehicles Act and the pictorial representations of all the symbols which one may come across on the way. (Fortunately or unfortunately, I happen to be an LL.B graduate). Finally, after a longwinded procedure, I finally managed to get my LL.
Third phase of driving lessons
This started after I bought my car. Nothing exceptional happened in this phase because I am learning from a friend who is a competent driver. But while taking lessons from her, I have noticed that girls tend to be over cautious. E.g. applying handbreak for every little thing when mere clutch and break would be enough. I appreciate the necessity of being cautious, but being over cautious may be self-defeating.
Anyway, that brings me to the end of this lengthy narrative. I have not yet learnt to drive independently, but I believe that now I require more of practice and less instruction.
Moral of the story
I don’t want to sound like a preacher, but from my personal experience I have learnt the following:
• If you are a girl and want to learn how to drive, it is always best to try with some friend who is experienced, can spare the time, has patience and can explain even elementary basics which may be like involuntary actions to professionals. (e.g. need to press the gas pedal more while going up on the slope, press the break on rough roads, necessity to look at the mirror etc.)
• If you choose to go to a driving school, then make sure that they meet your requirements, i.e. patient, explains everything properly, and most important of all, does not come drunk and invite friends in the car. Also, they should allow YOU to operate the car and not do everything on their own.
• Do not be too hard on yourself if you cannot perform the task at the first go. Ultimately, practice is what you need the most to make yourself efficient.
• Always remember, driving is fun, so external experiences should not have adverse effect on your interest of driving.
• There is no harm in having basic knowledge of the laws related to traffic and transport. A glance through Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 would come in handy.
• While obtaining licence, don’t depend blindly upon the driving school. Make sure that you ask the authorised officials about correct procedure. It will prepare you for future renewal of licence.
• Never compromise with safety. Your anger should not get better of you.
Happy Motoring!