Driving experience in Dubai

Well after our driving experience in India...definitely driving on Dubai roads is a pleasure and an experience in itself...Infrastructure is better, roads smoother, signage in place and people on the road more disciplined. Road sense and sense of responsibility is definitely higher among people here. People drive in their respective lanes and give way to you if you happen to need to change lanes urgently. Well exceptions are always there....by exceptions I mean people who are rash, overtake without indicators and have no discipline. So you have to be very alert and pro-active while driving. One thing I realized, if I follow the traffic rules diligently, half the problem is solved. So if each of us thinks similarly, driving would be such a pleasure...
If one is not familiar with the roads and correct exits, you can go on rides longer than you might have planned. I decided that if I have to reach my destination as scheduled  than Mr. GPS is going to bail me out....so our first investment after the car for getting a GPS. But as we did not get it synced at the store and tried doing it online....each time we have headed out, we have still managed to get lost....roads and exits are confusing, lanes merge and diverge any minute and at any corner and the road layouts are changing by the day due to forever increasing traffic and constructions of flyovers to accommodate them.
A few times we have got lost, the navigation system on our smartphones have bailed us out. I feel that one shouldn't venture out alone if one is new in the city....I find it safer to drive when my husband is the co passenger. That way he keeps a track of the route and actively navigates. This way chances of losing way or making blunders is bleak. I have been nervous while on the road but I'm sure if I drive regularly I definitely will get the hang of the routes and this will boost my confidence.
My biggest achievement was, in the initial days driving from one end of Dubai to the other end, Oud Metha to Discovery Garden....and quite confidently. So covering a stretch of almost 80 Kms in a day was a morale booster for me and with minimal mistakes. I know regular practice is only going to make me a better driver...I look forward to now driving to my daughters'schools. All the hassles we have gone through trying to get a cab when we were new are now going to be taken care of. So many more Happy & Safe Driving experiences in Dubai....I look forward...

Reasons to fail an RTA road test

Whenever the topic of discussion is "licence" in any conversation, it is fun to hear the experiences of different people. Everyone has a unique story to tell....number of attempts to get a driving licence and reasons for failing each time.  Some blame it on the traffic conditions that day, some on lack of confidence but most people blame the RTA examiners mood as the main reason. It's funny to hear these various takes on their failure.
Sitting in ladies waiting room in Belhasa Driving Center on many occasions. ..I got talking to many others like me. They would share their fears and failures. All of us were sailing in the same boat.  The reactions of the RTA officers they shared were quite scary.  One common reaction of most students was..."shivering with fear". I think that was one of the most common reasons of failure. The moment we let fear take over us...We tend to give up our spirit to fight or even try. So I feel fear , lack of confidence and nervousness are main causes of failing an RTA road test...and any test for that matter.
Other things are very technical I feel.Starting with the time you take over the driver's seat...you need to be in full control. Most important things to check are seat belts. .of self and Co passengers. Next mirror checks play a very important role. Correct positions will help you to be in control in the road and drive safely keeping a tab on approaching traffic from all sides. Another reason I heard from a few was indication on dashboard wasn't seen for an open door...If you haven't done that..It's an immediate failure from the RTA.
Keeping safe distance,  indicators in advance,  giving way, mandatory stopping at "STOP" signs, mirror check, shoulder check, maintaining speed limits, correct entry into roundabouts ...These are some of the important nuances of safe driving. If you get them right during your practice sessions...final RTA test is a cakewalk.  
Then comes the most crucial part of the road test. Lane change and entry onto the main road from a slip road. Most students fail as they get confused with the approaching traffic..so either they delay the same, forget to do mirror and shoulder check or even lower the speed. Krishna drilled it into me to be careful with these three aspects...and I am glad I got it correct when I appeared for my final road test.
There is no shortcut to success....getting a licence in one go is not the agenda here...The main concern is to drive safely and remember all that the instructor has taught you during the practice sessions....bring into practice what you are taught. Let go of fears when you appear for the test...remember the basics and you can't go wrong. And let me tell you one last thing...It is a myth that your success to get a licence after passing the road test depends on the RTA officers mood....no ways...they cannot let you risk the lives of others with your ignorance and carelessness. ...so go out there. ...keep the basics in mind, pass the RTA road test and enjoy your freedom behind the wheels....

My first drive

Once the licence was in hand, eagerness to start driving was very high....so time to decide on the car...a big decision as the options this place offers you can drive you nuts. Then budget plays an important role apart from feasibility. We decided on an eight seater as Dubai being a tourist destination and more of a shopper's paradise, we were bound to have guests over. So we went to Automall, Al Futtaim highly recommended by friends living in Dubai for reconditioned car as a first new car didn't make sense.  We shortlisted Prado and then a Pathfinder. But on second thoughts we found them two big to maneuver and for everyday use it didn't make sense. Moreover in Dubai we have options to Rent-a-car at very easy to affordable rental, so if you have guests over its the best to hire one.
So finally we shortlisted RAV4 and are proud owners today and I'm loving every moment behind the wheels. But before this, I would like to share my first experience on Dubai roads. After we completed all the formalities, it was time to get our new family member home...the car! We Indians believe a lot in auspicious occasions, so we decided on 6th August, Wednesday to get the baby home.But the crux of the situation was that only I had got my licence and my husband still awaited his. We had an option of getting the car delivered home but we decided against it. I gathered all my courage and decided to drive it home.
We were not very familiar with the roads, traffic conditions and the various gadgets in the car but wanted to let go of my fears. The moment I sat behind the wheels and started the ignition, I knew I could do it. All the practice of Belhasa driving school would come to test today. From the moment we left the automall till we reached home I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the drive...I was on a different high! It was an achievement of sorts. My husband was quite supportive and and acted as a perfect navigator as he is more familiar with the roads here. He did lose his cool a couple of times specially during lane changes...but I feel the first drive without an instructor wasn't all that bad after all....I was on cloud seven...and since that day when I first let go of my fears...I haven't looked back.... I love being on the roads and every time we step out of home I insist its me who will be behind the wheels....to gain all the confidence in the world and moreover to get familiar with roads....if we decide there's nothing we can't do....

Results awaited...and received

The three of us waited outside the RTA Officer's room holding our breath. It reminded me of school/college days when you waited outside the Principal's room...knowing not what to expect and why you were summoned. I kept on consoling myself...it's going to be ok, this was just the first attempt and I will definitely make it in the second. The trend there was, generally they called out names of students who failed first and lastly of the successful candidate. I just hoped and prayed it wasn't me she called first. At least the probability of success would be higher. But everything least I expected was happening that day. The three of us waited and consoling each other...its fine, but fearing the feeling of failure.
We were literally standing with our ears on the door. And then my name was called out. O God! so I hadn't made it.....disappointed I knocked and walked in. I greeted her. She asked me to give my Learner licence. I fumbled through my bag and nervously handed it over to her. She asked me if it was my first attempt. So this was to tell me in other words that ..."It's only your first attempt!"I was preparing myself for the worst. So I have to go through the grind again. I waited for my result already in a state of disappointment. She signed and put the stamp on my result and handed it over to me..."PASSED"!!!!. I couldn't believe my eyes and ears. Did I just hear it right??? I almost had tears of happiness...we Indians are real emotional fools....cry when we are sad or even extremely happy...I thanked her...once ,twice and I think once again....and ran out...yipeeeee I had done it....Climbed the Mount Everest???? someone would think....but for me..it was almost close to that....I had promised myself my licence before the end of July....and God helped me to get there. The next two fellow examinees also got their result...they were successful too....so we had an examiner whose mood was great on that particular day and luck was on our side too.
I walked to the counter and with my best smile ever handed over the result to them. The lady at the counter congratulated me and asked me to come the next day to collect my licence....I was already flying on seventh heaven....I didn't have wings yet....what would happen after I had my licence in hand I wondered.I immediately called up my near and dear ones and informed them of my feat. I was really happy...and wanted to share my happiness with the entire world...but limited it to my closest circle. I called up Krishna, my instructor and told her...she was extremely happy and told me that she knew I was capable. I thanked Lulith who was an integral part of this entire process.
The next day I collected my Licence from the RTA center....room no 3...from where my dreams had taken shape...I had wished to be in the room at the earliest...and I had made it!!!This was my journey towards my road to success. I feel if we are determined and put our heart and soul into the task we will always succeed. Perseverance and hard work are key to success....By the way....this wasn't the end...this was just the beginning...a new beginning in Dubai....more to share....

Final RTA road test...road to success

The two batches who went before us returned from their final road test and waited outside with bated breath for their results. After a wait that seemed like forever they were called in one by one. When one enters the examiner's room, it definitely is with high hopes but when they come out you can make out with their expressions what the result would have been. So one by one they exited....and walked past expressionless...no prize for guessing the result. Only the last girl came out chirpy and happy....so the success ratio was 1:6 as of that morning. That was around 16%...so we didn't stand much chance. That made us more nervous.
After a while the RTA inspector came out with an ipad and called out 3 of our names....finally!Now I have to share a secret here. I had issues with reversing the car, our practice cars were parked on the right.  So we had practiced only reversing from the right. But the catch here was the RTA test car was parked on the left and it was crucial part of the test to reverse from the left. Immediate fail if you reverse it wrong.  I had never done it so wanted to avoid being the first to drive. I walked out and opened the back door to sit in. The instructor made my worst fears come true...she called out...Nisha you are the first...God...noooo. I was dreading that. But I had no choice did I? I placed my purse back and sat in the driver's seat. Safety belt check, seat adjustment check, mirrors check, passenger set belts check. I inserted the key and put on the ignition. Gave the indicator and reversed the car. Thanking my instructor for giving me a small hint as to when to turn the steering completely...on seeing the yellow broken lines in the side mirror....I just remembered that at the right time. I heard my examiner mumble"yes".I knew I had hit the bull's eye with that.  Beginning was a fairy tale. My confidence was high from there on. I did everything right after that I guess, maintaining safe distance,  giving correct indicators, waiting on the roundabouts, mirror and shoulder checks, constant movement of the head, speed controls specially at the turns, maintaining speed limits, you name it and I knew I had done everything right. ..atleast as per my judgement. Then I was asked to take the car to the highway, the most crucial part of the route. I was asked to change the lane thrice at a go...I did that, each time following the centre mirror, side mirror, shoulder check and back to centre mirror . I had remembered to maintain the required speed, if you lower the speed...you are failed immediately. Then was asked to take an immediate right. I had to be very cautious as there was merging traffic from the right. But I gave the indicator and saw an approaching truck from the right. As per my judgement I knew I could turn without  any risk. When I was doing so the examiner said "careful". My heart skipped a beat. Hope that didn't spoil my chance of being successful today. After a while I was asked to park the car on the right side of the road. The second girl was asked to take over. The third girl showed me a  Thumbs  up...meaning I had driven well. But who are we to judge.  It was the examiner whose verdict mattered.
After the three of us finished we were asked to wait outside in the waiting area for our results....We had gone through the grind....now all that mattered was the verdict of the examiner....hope and pray is all that we could do and leave the rest to fate....ahh yes...also to the examiner's mood!!!

Waiting for RTA Road Test

After completing the 8 cumpolsary refresher classes with my instructor I was asked to submit my papers for the final RTA road test.... .The most dreaded. I feel no one has ever been so serious and nervous about even their tests at school or college as this test. Here its not about failing the test ....but the aura of the RTA officers. They come across worse than  principals in residential school. They are strict and stern. I had heard so many experiences during all those hours waiting in the ladies waiting room in the center.
Girls would share the reasons for their failures and reactions of the RTA inspectors while driving. By the way at Belhasa it was women inspectors for lady students and vice versa.  They said how the examiner would give directions and if you goofed up they would shout and hold the steering....A clear indication that you had failed. So no one came for the test with the hope of passing in the first attempt. The first failure was considered as a learning experience and a corrective measure for the following test/tests. Why tests, as there were people who were attempting the RTA Test for between two to eight times (OMG!!!) So it was taken for granted that if it was the first attempt for you , they were not kind and considerate enough to pass you. More over through discussions we also came to know that a lot depended on the mood of the examiner on the day and most importantly. ...your luck. So all that left for you to do is pray to all your gods above.It's more to do with the humiliation of failure than anything else. That adds to the pressure and you end up making silly mistakes which cost you what could be your success on that day. My instructor had wished me luck and said she had high expectations from me.  I thought not after the number of times she told me "if you do this you will fail". But I wouldn't give up I decided. Atleast I will try my best.
So we waited out there, palpitations in the heart. ...The wait seemed endless and forever. Just wanted to get it over with....whatever be the result. My time was 9.40 AM and the clock soon ticked past it...with no sign of us being called. The RTA examiners were out with another set of students. And to add to our miseries..It was Ramadan time...so that could make them more moody...All of us sat there and wished each other good luck (wishing ourselves too as it was much needed).The lucky ones on that day who passed would have wings....and the unlucky ones....sobbing there way to the cashiers....Make payment for yet another RTA road test....don't know what was in store for me that day....just wait and watch....

Internal Assessment Test

Once the parking test is successfully completed,  regular classes are conducted till the instructor feels you are ready for the internal assessment. This is again done by the examiners. so once Krishna was sure and convinced that I was confident enough to go for it...she asked me to submit my papers for the same for a day convenient to me. I didn't want to delay it hence immediately took the date. I was obsessed with completing my driving lessons soon and getting the licence in my hand. Taureans are headstrong individuals...Once a decision is made they go all out to achieve their desires. My obsession was my licence. My instructor gave me few more inputs and things I needed to be careful about...maintaining speed limits, shoulder and mirror check while lane change, indicators and u-turns. She felt I was too much in a hurry always so needed to have control on my speed. Suggestion taken and ready for the test.
On the date of the test...again another wait in the ladies waiting room. While you wait you see the same anxiety you go through, on each one's face present there. Each one's concern is the same....will I make it in one go as each failure was a dig in the pockets. You had to shell out a few hundreds of hard earned dirhams and that would unsettle your budget. After all each of us are here with the hope of saving and  having a bank balance....
After a wait of few minutes, the examiner called out names of three of us who would go for the assessment with her, a philipina,  a Pakistani and me. The philipina was asked to start the test.She did so and throughout the next 10 minutes of her assessment, the instructor kept on pointing her mistakes to her...that put me on my guard. Then she was asked to park the car on the side of the road and I was asked to take over. I belted myself and started the car with full confidence. I followed her instructions and recalled all inputs of Krishna. I ensured I didn't make the mistakes I did with  krishna during regular classes. After my 10 minutes were over the examiner asked me to park the car on the side of the road and commented "you drive well Nisha, don't play with the steering too much". I am used to doing that in INDIA....The roads and traffic there compel you to....but I was HAPPY!! A positive comment from the examiner meant that I had passed this hurdle too. After the third girl drove the car for her test she was asked to take the car back to the yard. We were given our results then..If you pass the assessment you only get to do 8 compulsory classes to improve upon any suggestions given by the examiner. If you don't pass you get 12 to 16 classes more. I was happy I was close to the grand finale...The much dreaded RTA road test....another success added to my kitty....assessment test CLEARED....
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