The Systems and Practices Continued... (Driving Test)

A warm welcome to the sequel post. Actually I should have given the title like "Systems and Practices - II" like "American Pie - I, II, III" etc. Or something like "Matrix returns". Any ways, the title itself is boring so I did not want to make it more boring. But trust me, I'll try to keep this post also as interesting as possible.

After clearing the KT (Knowledge test) I went to the officer and asked him what to do next? He just asked me whether I had cleared the KT? I said yes! And for a second I realized that even if I would have flunked in my test I could have gone ahead and given the driving test! But I was safe, I had really cleared it and I was happy. Then I moved on to the another token number machine which was supposed to be waiting number for scheduling the driving test. I waited for another hour. I was feeling that the stories heard in India about Patience test before the driving test are coming true! but that was not the case. Finally my turn came, the officer told that the full month was booked for the tests and I had an option of choosing the other test center than Bellevue which is my hometown for now. I was really desperate for the License as the Insurance agency had already sent me the warning letter for submitting my Driving License number. And thus I was running short of time. So I went ahead and said 'yes' to the Seattle Driving test center. This center was 20 miles away from my home, somewhere in the middle of nowhere. But I had to accept it. Then I came home with victory on my face and one week later date at Seattle center.

Before going for the test, I had consulted my colleagues regarding the test and had taken some guidelines. Trust me, they threatened me more than the Driving test officer. They told me hell lot of things about the rules... Do this... Do not do this... and what not... Still I was trying to keep my confidence intact.

And finally the day came. I woke up early and took my roomie with me for the test and marched ahead for the test 2 hours before scheduled time. With the help of pathetic GPS device,( which was really not pathetic, but I was not capable enough that time to handle it) we started on the road to Seattle. I was showing as if I am fully confident. And off course I was. It's been now around 12 years since I am driving in India. Finally we reached the DOL office. I was scheduled at 3:00 PM in the afternoon. It was a rainy day. Just before my test time it started raining. And we were waiting for the instructor in the car. He finally arrived and started with some other person. I was observing him what he is asking for. I was making sure that I was complying with the requirements. He went ahead and tested the other person. I had no chance to know what was the result as he never came back and parked in the same test parking lot again. I was partly afraid to see the situation and to see my turn next.

At last, he came to me and greeted me. I also did greet him well. The instructor was a classic tall, thin old person with a hat and he started asking for my Passport/VISA, insurance etc. He checked all the things thorougly and then asked me to show the indication of left turn, stop and right turn with my hands. I did it well without fail. Then he asked me to turn on indicators as needed. Then he asked me to apply breaks and he went back and checked for the break lights. And the time came... You must be thinking this was just a routine check up and was not something serious. But trust me, it was something serious. The middle tail lamp which is a small lamp inside the rear window glass was not working!!! All other tail lights were in perfect condition. He went a bit away from me and the car and asked my friend to come along and he explained the situation and he finally told that the Vehicle is not fit for the test!!!!!! And I was going crazy to know this. I kept cool and had a chat with my friend regarding how to fix it, where to fix it and when we can re-arrange the test. The old man guided us and finally told us that I need to go to the DOL office and once again need to reschedule the test. OMG (Oh my god) I said. I did not want to wait again in the bloody Q for another hour. But there was no other go, I convinced myself that whatever happens, happens for good. This was the end of the first driving test story.

After a couple of days, I went again to the office and rescheduled my test. This time the officer was kind enough to listen to my situation and gave me nearest possible date at Bellevue center. I was once again waiting for the day. Days passed on and the final Big day arrived. I decided to go alone this time, so even if something bad happens its not in front of my friend.(Though my friend is very co-operative and understanding.) I arrived at the DOL office. I had really become an expert in driving on USA roads because of the time gap. But my confidence level was oppositely proportional to it!!! You can understand my situation after such a nice experience of last time. It's needless to mention that I took care of the "Middle" tail lamp this time along with some other un-necessary fixes and had spent some money on it (Offcourse in $$$$!!!).

The same things happened today also. I was keeping calm and waiting for the instructor for test drive. To my surprise, this was a lady inspector this time... Hold on... Do not imagine some crazy stuff... She was not a blonde or something. She was a perfect old, strict (Khadus) lady who came and sat besides me on the right side. Yeah, in US the cars are left hand driven. (I think all of us know this ;) ) She started exactly the way she was supposed to. This time I was so much frustrated that when she asked me to show right turn indicator with my hands, I showed exactly opposite. She asked me 3 times to do the same and all the time I repeated the mistake. I was going crazy. I was not under my control. Finnally she nodded her head and indicated me that I was doing wrong. At last attempt, I realised it and was ashamed of myself. I did the right signals in that attempt and then she went ahead and checked for other things in car. This time all the things were fine, expect me- myself. I was very nervous. She sat on the right front seat and asked me to back of the car and take out from the parking. I was vey careful while doing any smallest thing. I was taking all due care. She took me to the parallel parking slot and asked me to do the parallel parking in between 4 poles. I tried my level best to do so with all precaution. Then she asked me to take out the car and go for the road test. We marched towards the main road, where the speed limit was of 25 MPH. I was driving very carefully. I showed all hand signals, stopped at stop signs, parked by the curb and did all the tricks necessary to satisfy her. (I mean the driving test needs.) We arrived back and my heart was pounding as if I had committed some crime and got busted by Police. She gave a bad look at me and declared the result. Any guess on my results...??? I was also not sure about myself. By this time, you must have started feeling pity about me... Isn't it true? Yes, she continued... The passing score for the test to give you the license is 80 out of 100. And Mr. Pranav you have scored 84. So you are eligible for the license.
But, you must take care of following things... I sighed out of relief... She continued and showed me my faults that were committed by me our of nervousness. She told me that I was not up to the mark in Parallel parking, I drove good at some times, but I was more concious at times and comitted some small mistakes. She showed me the results sheet where she had all the observations. At the end she told me that most of times I drive with one hand and I need to change that habit of keeping one hand on gear stick. (I said in my mind, Madam please come to India some time and then I'll show what driving the car means. Apani gali me to kutta bhi sher hota hai... I have been driving for 10-11 years and how could she expect me to leave my habits... Off course this was said in my mind by my expert driver's EGO... But it was of no use.) I finally said, enough lecture (In my mind). mam, could you please tell me what to do next...? She just told me to park the car and proceed to the office and wait. Finally after a week I got my 1st United states driving License- the Washington State Driving License.

Till date I am driving with all my pride though I passed with border score in the test. I have become much much safer driver than before. Once I come back to India you will observer this difference at least for couple of months till I get acustomed to the screwed up driving conditions in India, espacially Pune. Still I love Pune, and I love my India....