This time when I am writing my blog I am really excited n happy…That’s simply becos I got my United Arab Emirate Driving Licence/License (US /UK) spelling :)
If the there is strong will in you u can achieve that…Becos for me this is the best example. I still remember the days which went for the classes to get my Indian Driving license…After completing my Degree only I applied for my Indian driving licence...That’s simply becos my achan’s pressure. Every one my family including my amma are good drivers…The only exception from that group of drivers is me myself :(I was not that interested in to that field..Becos my mode of transportation was always Bus/My Activa/ will sit at the Back seat of the car very leisurely enjoying my own business. My dad is a person who keeps on telling me something which he likes me to do/achieve. Like all Dad’s he is also the one who is very proud in her daughter’s achievement. So my driving license also falls in to that category. There itself I was not that happy with my driving learning becos I always felt it’s not something which is suitable for my caliber. But I just love to see my amma driving. I really feel jealous on her when she drives so easily n always proud to say that my amma drives...Shez always the best:)My style Icon
By 2005 April I got my Indian license. The funniest part is that I only drove my car hardly 2 times that too 5 to 10 mins... Suddenly after that I got my MCA admission was shifted to hostel. So once or twice in a month only will be going home…but I was having my Pavam Activa I never felt like Car is necessity for me...n more over nobody helped me to sit beside to give me hands on experience on driving:)Just after MCA got married n landed here:)
Once I came here n started going to office. I started feeling like I should have a Driving License…becos my transportation was always a big question on the days which my better half is busy with his on jobs… If he come late to pick me , even if because of his works. I always make Big Time Fights just becos I was hang up at @office… for an Hour…So even me n my husband felt like for a happy married life Driving License is also important. Otherwise we cannot predict the evenings which we make fight becos of this late Hour pick up :)
Here its not that easy as you take a license in India...There is 101 documents and procedures…Any way I decided to Open A File for getting my License. Initially I translated my Indian License to Arabic that around cost 70 AED …After that I went to the Abu Dhabi Traffic Department and Opened a License File. Before opening a File we should be certified from the Dr that our vision is Good enough so that we can see the Cars/Vehicles/Pedestrians/Two wheelers in front while driving…So for that testing itself it cost 20 AED that’s reasonable…For opening file it cost around 100 AED n I was given a Temporary Card for Learners:)
Then I went to emirates Driving school where I spend around 1000 Dh for my Theory classes and Theory test.
I was given the option to select the time slot for classes. so selected the 6:20 8:45 slot so that can reach by office by 9..
So that time was ok because 2 hr class …after the class will go the EDC canteen and will have some sandwich. that was the best part I liked during my classes..4 days classes were over. Then came my test…Test was ok so passed in first chance itself:)
After the classes my husband took the initiative so that got a Patani Trainer…His name is Jameel…The only thing I suffered n sacrificed during my classes is my sleep. Because morning 7 AM to 9 AM is my classes. So for cooking n stuffs have to get up by 5:30 AM which never seen even during my Examinations On the first 2 days I was so happy to go for the classes…On the first day itself he taken me to some Highway n was asked to drive at 120KM/Hr if some one thinking i am bluffing absolutely not :). My god I was shocked n was shivering he never allow to touch break. On highways..Bu gods grace I reached safely. On the first day he didn’t teach me any rules. So I was driving as per my rule. Second day he taught me the rules. From the third day started getting nice shots from Jameel..Initially I just hated Round Abouts and the rules to be followed. It was too tough for me…After some days I was friendly n ok with Round Abouts…Again came that shocking part U Turns..Jameel always have formulas on road.How to take Uturn when Kerbstone is small wehen kerbstone is large..For taking Round About, for changing lanes. My body n my hand never worked together. But I put 100% concentration on my classes. The only main aim for me is to pass the test at First chance…Not because of just prove I am good at driving becos daily I have to spend 130 AED (130 *12.50INR) for the classes..On Fridays which was the only holiday for me I wake up 5:45 am n gone for the classes…On each n every day I will be thinking not to make mistakes not to get scolding from Jameel..But for first 10 minutes everything goes well becos I will be concentrating at my fullest. Then starts Jameel what Ma’am y are u doing this? what are u doing???????????what u did is not a mistake its blunderrrrrrrrrr which he gives stress on the word blunder....My God some days I will be so nervous after his first scolding itself n will loose my confidence n will do a lumsum of mistakes. Each day I have to give review to my husband…but I never told him that I am driving properly with full confidence…always tell him about what all scolding I got from Jameel .On each day during my driving one thing i remember when i am going to do mistake is My husband's advice "Dont Driver with emotions Drive with Brains"....But one thing I noticed that after 4 days of my class jameel wont be listening to my driving full time he will be busy with his Time scheduling, talking over phone. he will scold me once I do sudden breaking then only he will understand I have gone wrong some where. Daily I used to drive around 100 + km with in this 2 hrs. I have almost seen all parts of Abu Dhabi. But I always thank Jameel because hez the one who gave me confidence. He will be giving me lectures on Patan’s ability in driving n where Malabari’s fails in driving. At last that D day came October 4th.On that day too Jameel came n pick me from home by 5:45am...from 5:45 to 7:45 I gone for classes n my test was scheduled by 7:45 am… On that day of my class I made blunders…Jameel was asking what happened ma’am u fought with your husband today… But Jameel was about to leave after dropping me at the Driving School he told me Madam u are a confident driver..Dont worry Insha Allah u will pass..I still remember 1 week before we Dropped a Russian lady whoz also Jameels student for her test.But when she was getting out of Car he was explaining her how to Book for her Next test n he even told me that he so sure that She will Fail.But Jameel said bye to me in such a way that we won't be meeting again...But on that day I really understood whatz “Butterflies in stomach”. My adrenal gland was working too much on that day….Anxiety kept on increasing. So many thought flashed through my mind…Just brushed all the experience which were shared by people who gone for test. I know many people who did their 8th test n still managed to fail. Know people who were very expert at driving even with other GCC licence got at their 3rd chance. So I was really scared. Already I spend 3000 AED for my road classes if I fail I have to start from the scratch again spend around 2500 + AED…Again morning wake ups alarm cooking office classes..Ohh noooooooooooooooo,
By 8am from all of us an amount of 40 AED was collected n we all were asked to enter a Mini Bus. We were around 30 including Arabs Jordanian’s Indians Philippinos,Sudanis…Our Bus driver a Patan he was such a nice man…He was asking all of us to be cool. Then one Girl from our bus was selected by the police lady to driver first. So anxiety increased. We all were peeping through the window to see what’s happening. All most all were standing to see the Girl driving she drove for 5 minutes n was asked to park the Car…So at last breaking the anxiety the news came she passed. Every one was clapping n congratulating her…So from next candidate any one can volunteer 2nd girl passed 3rd girl passed n every one giving review that today’s police man was good only that was the only relief every one had. But from 5th candidate starts the failing in test. Every one who dint get their chance still back to the anxiety n tension..After that it was mix m match some failures some success….Some Indian ladies who failed in the test literally eaten their husband’s ear through phone explaining what all she did during the test ….Because that was her 3rd failure it seems…and I was 2nd last…I almost collected all the tips from the succeeded n failed one’s…With all these tips in mind I walked to the car…But don’t know by that time I think my adrenal gland was tired so was lil relaxed. No butterflies nothing. I walked to the car The SMB (Seat Mirror Belt) then GIH ( Gear Indicator Hand Break) This is the rhyme which I was continuously hearing from Jameel for past 23 days while starting car. Here actions n rules have more importance than the Driving skills. Check centre mirror In 3 seconds… entire tips n rules passed trough my mind. I recollected the feeling of a student whoz entering the Examination Hall. I was asked to drive straight and take a round about left...I took the round about very nicely. Once taken the round about left I have to keep the Right lane. As a monster, one Truck came in that right track. But with the full confidence which Jameel gave me I pressed the accelerator and when that truck was fully visible in my centre mirror I came to Right lane Police man asked me to park the car. In excitement I asked whether I have passed. I was asked to come to the back side of car where one Police Women is sitting...In the Driving Slip I can see police man putting his sign not marking any wrongs which I have done. So I was sure I was passed. Ohh my god that moment. I was shivering. I came to the Bus every one congragulated me. I called my hubby’s…He was also under full pressure. He was soo happy to hear that I have passed. I told him I will go to office in a Taxi. But he came to see me. The next one which i called is Jameel..i was so excited even don't know how to thank him...He was also happy for me..n he even thanked me for the call i made:)He always tell students won't call him once they pass the test..Then again I paid 370 AED for getting my Emirates ID which is now compulsory for getting license n then again 200 AED@ EDC n got my Driving Licence...
My parents were sooo happy to hear I got license…One of the wonderful moments in my Life….I came back office...Oops every one was shocked. My manager was very happy for me He congragulated me …That day was like a day of excitement for me. I was not able to control my emotions…even I tried to work…but I can’t ….I am getting deviated…I think even My Boss neglected that :)
Next weekend itself I drove to Dubai…My first Long Drive :)
Last But no the least I Want to Thank Sarin Annan (My cousin) which I can proudly say as my mentor…His is the First person who told me to take License Hez the one who encouraged me, shown me the right path…always corrected me when I gone wrong…who always motivated me, who appreciated me when I achieve…A real role model of mine
But one thing i understood from my real time experience is "There no Substitue in the World for Hard Work n Dedication ":)
Even if i spend 5000 AED for getting license it was Justified by my acheivement of getting the License in the First Go itself :)
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