Driving Tests
I just realised that I still own a blog and that I badly need to update it with posts a bit more often. So what’s in the news for me? My work placement is over (long time back), and I am back to University for my final year, till December 2010, if I manage to pass all modules. I got 4 core modules – Strategic Management, International Business Management Information Systems – Advanced Concepts and Dissertation (yep, it’s counted as a module with 6 credits and weightage 5) and 2 electives – Managing Quality and E-HR & Knowledge Management. Final copy of dissertation is to be submitted at the end of October.
So let’s get back to the title of the post - Driving Tests. This post will include my own experience of Driving Tests, the cost associated with the lessons and the ability of the police people to assess a candidate.
I’ve been learning how to drive for the past 1 year, or more, I must say. But that was on an on and off basis as I kept postponing my tests. I had my first attempt to the test in November last and I failed all the stages – Road Test, Parallel Parking & Reverse. Reason: I was panicked. Can I say, “Panicked to death”, most probably since whatever the lady was telling me, was not making any sense, I was like “unconscious”, I had a blank mind. The lady police person has a “figir boxer”, seriously, she was not friendly at all, let alone pleasant, she was not conversant at all.
Then my second attempt was last week, on Friday 26 February. Again, I was afraid. I even wanted to postpone the test since I barely had practice. My instructor told me “si to garantie moi, ki next time kan to pu ale lor test, to pu passer, lerla mo dakor to postpone test la”. Warranting a pass for next attempt was kind of impossible, and so I decided to give the test another shot. And this time, I passed all the stages. I had put in my mind that I would not bother about the police people, I’ll make as if I’ve worn blinkers. This did not work wonders, but it helped. The lady police for Road Test was nice to me, she helped me at times, especially when I would not understand her directions. I was at ease during the test and not under uber stress. And I passed the Road Test. As for Parallel Parking and Reverse, I made as if there were no policemen around and I took all my time. And again I passed. Then my instructor told me “Miss, tone passer! Selment, ene tas gestes ar toi! Pa pu ale lor test si pa ki!” Hahahaha
I must admit that spent enormous amounts on driving lessons. For my first attempt, I used to go for sessions twice or thrice per week. That was for around 3 months and I was regular with my lessons. For the second attempt, I had like less than 10 sessions overall. I paid Rs. 200 per session.
Let’s ASSUME, I’m a Driving Instructor. Let’s see how much I can earn a WEEK. Another assumption, ignore the deposit that is made, the cost of the car, insurance and fuel (cause I don’t know the figures, except for deposit which is Rs.1000 or Rs.500). So on a particular working day, I have like 15-20 students and I take Rs. 200 per student per 30 minutes lesson. That makes me Rs. 3000 – Rs. 4000 a day. I work half days Saturdays and Sundays. For a week’s lesson, I get Rs. 18000 – Rs. 24000. Now let’s say, I have 4-5 tests per week. And the “insurance amount” that I collect is Rs. 1200 per test. That makes Rs. 4800 – Rs. 6000. So on AVERAGE, I can earn Rs. 26400 per week.
Great Business! Anou Ale Fer Auto-Ecole!
Now one point worth mentioning is that Rs. 1200 that we, as candidates, pay to the driving instructor for tests is that we are paying for that uselessly. The instructors are “stealing” our money. A car, being registered for Driving School, has insurance cover for ANY circumstances. Don’t tell me, that the car proprietor, making so much money with the lessons cannot pay the insurance companies!
See, Driving Schools are making lots of money. Again I say, Anou Ale Fer Auto-Ecole! 
Last but the not the least, I would like to talk about the police people’s ability to assess students. Recently, some 3-4 months ago, there was that incident, whereby a student after completing the Road Test, and while entering Les Casernes, bumped the car in the wall, twice! What was the police person doing at that time in the car? That police person, I believe, should have anticipated such a thing, right at the moment, that the student “a pris au large pour tourner”. He could have prevented such an incident. But no! That’s one point.
Do the police people who go to carry out the tests, really hold a valid driving license? I wonder. Is yes, did they get it on their merit or the quick way?
How can the police people assess, you as a candidate, based on 15 minutes driving? And that’s too, driving in traffic jams around Les Casernes?
But anyway, I will be getting my driving license next week, I’m happy. Let’s not be that bad and ingrate
That was a pretty long post.
Awaiting your beautiful comments and constructive criticisms 
Till the next post
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