Licensed, At Last

It was in September that I cleared the Learner's License test in a rather dubious manner. Having done it once, the temptation was rather high to obtain my Driving License also through such means. Now don't get me wrong, I am a perfectly law-abiding citizen. But I am also a rather weak human being, easily tempted by the short cuts in life, and in India, there isn't a dearth of them.

The temptation really started when our neighbours said they were going to obtain licenses through a friend of theirs in Chattisgarh (or MP or thereabouts). Usually reticent in such matters, I had no hesitation in asking them whether they could ask their friend to do a similar favor for me too. They didn't seem to mind it at that time and I was pretty relaxed from that moment, wondering when I would have to give them all my stuff. It didn't even occur to me that something like a mix-up of spelling or photos or some other crazy thing might happen. I also didn't feel anything about spending Rs. 1200 over and above the fees that I had spent in the driving school which is supposedly inclusive of the Driving License fee/bribe.

Just as I was getting totally relaxed about the whole thing, there came a hitch to the entire plan. I suddenly found my neighbors not too keen on sending my stuff over, saying it would be an obligation for them. I got the drift, but once such a temptation enters your mind, it is rather tough to get it out. So, there were more inquiries on those lines of obtaining a license through easier means. Ranji was then able to locate a cousin of hers who was willing to do it.

This time, though, the dampener was of a totally different nature. He said that since we had gotten our Learner's License from Bangalore, we will have to either get a No Objection Certificate from here and pay Rs. 1000 or straightaway pay Rs. 5000. Now, paying Rs. 1200 is one thing, paying Rs. 5000 is a totally different matter. I began to envy those characters in Robert Ludlum novels who knows all those people involved in creating fake stuff and who always have enough money to spare for such things.

Since Ludlum isn't the author of my life, I had to face reality. I decided that before I shell out Rs. 5000, let me at least give it a try. Having had a rather easy time during the Learner's, I had reasonable confidence in the RTO clearing me. So, I presented myself at the Indira Nagar RTO office at around 10 a.m. I went directly to Dhanush office from where I had learnt driving, and after filling numerous forms, was sheperded to a place where there were similar anxious-looking faces.

Lady aspirants were given the first chance to drive. That gave some time for my jangling nerves to settle. From early on, any kind of test sets my nerves jangling. That also results in me being more alert than usual and in the ultimate success of mine, but I still don't like the feeling of tenseness that I have to undergo. As soon as the womenfolk got out, I powered my way in. The inspector was entering the zone of restlessness which wasn't a good sign as far as I was concerned. Having secured the driver's seat first, I didn't exactly crown myself with glory while starting the vehicle. It switched itself off before I could start it again and start moving. I drove well before he asked me to stop and take a reverse. While taking reverse, I decided myself as to when to stop the car which didn't please the inspector one bit, and he might have very well failed me then and there, but I could see the instructor's and inspector's eyes meet and a secret message passed between them, something in the lines of "Pass this guy or no bribes for you." Well, whatever it was, that worked, because the inspector passed me.

So, I have a license at last. I will be getting the document in hand only on Monday, but the fact that I can now fearlessly take the vehicle out is a good feeling. Keep reading to hear about my latest driving adventures.