Driving Diaries of A Silly, Silly Girl

Mar 17
NabanitaDhar
Do you know how to drive? A two or a four wheeler or just a bicycle too? Do you? Well, let me tell you today about a silly girl and her exploits with driving lessons. Hailing from the small hill station town of Shillong, she never quite felt the need to learn the intricacies of driving what with her school being within walking distance of her home. Added to that the presence of a driver, whenever she needed one, kept her far away from literally taking the driver’s seat. It was as though she was kept in an ivory tower oblivious to the needs of driving while the entire world mastered the steering wheel.

It was many years later, once she moved to the city of Bangalore, that she first decided to take up driving lessons. The ordeals of going from one corner of the city to the other, changing buses and haggling with auto drivers, warmed her up to the idea of owning and of-course driving her own car. But, well, what did she know what was in store? Lack of time on weekdays limited her classes to weekends. You would think that those would have been enough but no! Sleep, her Achilles hill heel, and the excitement of dates with her boyfriend reduced those lessons to mere formality. Thus without any change in her expertise with the clutch, brake or accelerator, stopped her first tryst with the four wheeled beast from the driver’s seat. 

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That was in the year 2009. Her next rendezvous came in December of 2011. She attended the classes regularly but this time around the fear of hitting someone took over her senses. The reckless driving of bikers, cab drivers and then those erratic ones on foot started giving her nightmares. Of-course, the fact that she now had her husband around to drive her everywhere and the luxury of booking cabs if needed didn’t help the cause either. So, as you see her second attempt too went by without really moving her from the passenger’s seat. Driving her own car, that dream, was again banished to the rear end of her wishlist.

The third endeavor came sooner than later, in January 2012 and this time her father was entrusted with the duty of teaching her the nuances of driving a car. But of-course she was still the same paranoid person when it came to controlling the beast. So, that didn’t do any good either. Every day for two whole weeks she went out early in the morning with her daddy dearest. While he tried his best to not let panic take over him as his little girl made turns, she tried desperately to fight off sleep to still appear interested in this thing called driving. But as you must have guessed by now, this attempt resulted in her miserable failure as well. It was as though driving was a subject she was destined to fail in.

And now after almost 3 years since her last attempt she has again decided to take the driving bull by the horns. This time though with the aid of her husband. She has had two classes so far and seems very much eager to not fail this time around. Of-course, the car battery dying merely two days after she sat in the driver’s seat, even if for a few minutes, could be the universe telling her to stop dreaming. But this time around she seems quite adamant and even ready to defy higher powers if need be. So, will the fourth attempt be her last?

Well, only time will tell what happens to this girl and her adventures with driving. Till then if you happen to be in Bangalore for the next few years or so and you happen to see a woman on a driver’s seat, staring ahead as if at the start of a duel in a western, give her some space, will you? And while at that maybe even wish her luck from far? Oh, by the way, she did manage to get her driving license 3 years back but that’s a story for another day.

Ciao,
Drive Safe!

48 thoughts on “Driving Diaries of A Silly, Silly Girl”

  1. I have been driving ever since my feet could reach the pedals! I just could hardly wait. But I have had a couple of friends that were not as excited as I and years later it was fun to teach them to drive. I taught myself to drive a manual (stick) but only after many frustrating attempts and lots of lessons given by my husband. It was a frustrating and trying time. Years later, after we were divorced I bought a car with a manual transmission and told myself that I could do it and guess what? I did! There was some jerky car stalling bumpy rides at first though. My advice to a nervous 1st time driver? Go ahead, you can do this! Oh the freedom you'll have!

  2. Ha ha Naba – that could have been my story. Sending truckloads of luck. This time round you really must musy do it. I'm sure you can. Beware now since you've confessed we all might keep tabs. Do keep updating us with your progress.

  3. I am almost in the same seat. Still preparing myself to learn but super scared. I wish I can be as courageous as you to attempt learning.
    Great post Naba!

  4. Gosh that reads like a post I could have written. I learnt driving when I was in college, but paranoid parents and a driver made sure I didn't drive. Then after I got married I relearnt driving, started driving a decent amount and then the car got banged up and was gone for a good 6 months. I had nothing to do with the said accident. 🙂 Then I learnt driving again… started driving bits, had a baby, moved to Mumbai and stopped again! So its 4th time for me too… we should share notes in a few months! What say?

  6. Before driving a car, I practised using gear in my brother's bike, so I was able to understand the nuances pretty well. Good luck and please dont give up 🙂

  9. Oh ho, now stop being a drama queen and do your practice regularly. 🙂 Instead of llearning with hubby learn with a trained driver. Hire one for a month or two. Make him sit next to you and no matter what even for 10 minutes take the car out to a less traffic area everyday. 2-3 months down the line, you will be driving. Good luck.

  10. Oh ho, now stop being a drama queen and do your practice regularly. 🙂 Instead of llearning with hubby learn with a trained driver. Hire one for a month or two. Make him sit next to you and no matter what even for 10 minutes take the car out to a less traffic area everyday. 2-3 months down the line, you will be driving. Good luck.

  13. I couldn't wait to turn 18, to apply for license for both two and four wheeler. Whole of my college yrs I was roaming around in my scooty. And there's not even a single place in my hands and knees where I haven't lost my skin from falling down from two wheeler, courtesy my speed. 😀 … Once you kick that fear out, and think about the freedom your vehicle could give you and also all those me times you get to spend while driving, nothing will stop you. And Like Rachna said, take the car out everyday… and once you gain confidence try to drive alone. And soon you will driving around the city like a Pro. 😉

  14. i am sure you will this time. Drive in the mornings and once you get the hang of it you can't leave it. Believe me. Best of Luck

  15. 🙂 You crazy girl! Sorry that made me laugh!

    If I see that girl, I am going to haul her out and give her a hug and stick her right back in her seat!

    Strangely, I have nerves of steel as a driver. Sigh. These days I only do one type of driving – others crazy!

    On another note, Shillong is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been to!

  16. Wish all the people were responsible drivers. Then, new drivers would have no fear driving!
    Much of our fears are owing to how we'll fare with other rash-drivers on the roads…
    Best wishes to the girl!

  17. You got your driving license even though you can't drive properly and are afraid of doing so? Says something about the driving test in India!

  21. Thanks for the encouraging words Lauren 🙂 I'm just dreaming about the freedom everyone talks about…I'm excited but scared but looks like I have to overcome it somehow…!

  24. Oh yes we should definitely..Tell you what let's do a series of posts on our progress.. What say?

  29. hehe I will try my best Rachna…. Maybe I will take some more time, let's give it a year but I won't give up so soon..Maybe in one of our meets I'll come driving my own car 😀

  31. I'll try my best Sheethal…Thanks for encouraging me 🙂 I'll keep sharing my experience here as well 🙂

  33. hehe…. I'm silly and crazy at the same time …I hope that girl gets to meet you Vidya every time she takes the car out 🙂

    And thanks Shillong is indeed one of the most beautiful places in the world

  39. hahaha I could so relate to you. I use my driving license as id card 😛 So scared of hiting other people that I just gave up.

  40. That was an awesome narration, Nabanita. I think – Try, try, try till you succeed is the motto you live by. Don't worry, it will be fine.

    I learnt driving in India in 2006, got my driving license only to store it away in the safe cupboards of my home. In 2011, after moving to the US, hubby and I required a second car to solve a simple problem of attending meetings in our respective jobs at conflicting times. Hence, the skills acquired in India have never been put to use whilst there. I enjoy driving in the US and although I dread the driving back home, I look forward to it. 🙂

  41. All the best with it ..

    I been driving since I was in 10th class but then i came to uk , and I failed my test three times .. even when i have been driving for yearssssssssssssssssssssssssss…

    but now that i visit india I am a bit afraid to drive in india..

    Bikram's

  45. Hang on, you have your license but can't drive? How did you get your license? Would love to hear that story!

    I never learnt to drive in India either…public transport was convenient in Bombay. But then coming to Aus, I realised just how bad public transport is in the suburbs and also, how many jobs require you to have a license. I finally got mine in 2008. I love driving but mainly on freeways — traffic annoys me. I don't think though that I could ever drive in India! I would probably have the same paranoia as you do!

  46. I was smiling all through the post…sorry nabanita bt I wish I cud'hv not read this blog as I am all set to start my driving rendevue….m already scared
    Love wat u write always

  47. Haha!! I share the same story!! But it's just the start for me.. I hope I learn it before my fourth attempt! 😛

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