A-B-C of my "Driving"

Tiny Me: C for Car! (Yes, I only knew that much about a Car when I was a Kid)
Teen Me: Someday, I want a car of my own(Like the Red one in the picture)!
Earning Me: I need to start taking a driving lesson soon!
Car Owner Me: Why everyone conspires against me on road? Walking is much better! 

I have fantasized about driving a car for a long time. No selective Model or a style. It was just the idea of driving a car on my own. When I was growing up in a small town in India, a car was a luxury. In those inspirational speech sessions, my mom used to say "If you study well now, someday you will have a car of your own". Or, if I scored less on some exam, the idea was still the same, just in a different tone "You will never get to drive a car of your own if you continue to score like this." So yeah, a car was always the reward I was looking forward to.

I planned to take my first driving lesson, a few months before my marriage from "Jai Maruthi Driving School", in Bangalore India.I was thrilled with the notion. Before my first class, I practiced holding my imaginary steering wheel tight in my hands and whirl it with full force. I did not have a car at that time. On my first class, my instructor arrived in a white Maruti Alto. He asked me to get in the Driver seat and my first reaction was "Are you Serious?" It struck me for the first time, I would be responsible for the car, my driving instructor, all the people on road and certainly ME. I was horrified! My palm turned red and sweaty. Nervously, I struggled with the seatbelt and finally, my instructor intervened. 

After settling down, my instructor's first words were "Let's learn ABC of Driving - A for Accelerator, B for Brakes and C for Clutch. That's all you need to remember about driving." That's all? The next 30 minutes was a battle to decide where to put my feet strategically to handle that A,B and C. I don't understand how people are okay with this basic flaw of a car design! How 2 feet can take care of 3 things at a time? Or, maybe people like me were not comfortable with the Idea and that's why the concept of auto-gear popped in? Anyway, on my first few days of driving how I wished  I was an Octopus! 

Those days were challenging!  The first difficulty was to start the car. The next was to keep the car moving and to avoid stopping in the middle of the road.  I had always believed that constantly twirling the steering wheel is the key to driving. But when I actually got a steering wheel and demonstrated my practiced skill, my car started moving zigzag. My instructor from the passenger seat jumped in to hold my wheel steady and shouted on top of his voice "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" I was scared and I panicked. I removed immediate my hands and feet from the car. And yes, it stopped abruptly in the middle of the road. People were honking and shouting all around me. I felt like opening the car door and run away from there. But again, my instructor was constantly nagging "Start the car!" I was frozen at that spot.The only thought that was flashing in my mind was "I am not going to drive again!". It was a nightmare. Slowly, the traffic passed me, people left and I started the car and came back home. 

In the next few days, the car stopped many times in the middle of a busy road. But I learned to ignore my surroundings and again start the car. There are a few benefits to learn driving in India. The driving school cars, hold a big banner on the top of the car displaying someone is learning. So, usually, the other people on road get cautious. Also, the instructors have a control on Clutch and Brakes on their own feet and they pretty much control the car. So yeah, I too learned "Driving" in a few weeks. Being certain that I can drive, I decided to get my driving license a few months later. In the meantime, I got married and got busy in life. Then one day, I got a call from "Jai Maruthi Driving School" that I need to appear for my Driving Test before my leaner's license expires.  So there was I, ready to get my Driving License without touching the car for 4-5 months. Was that my confidence in my driving skills? Not at all! It was my full faith in India's ill-famed corruption. When my turn came, the exam officer insisted to sit in the front seat. That meant, my driving instructor could not control the Clutch and Brake. Reluctantly, I got inside the car and started it after a few tries. It started moving slowly. I drove a few feet down the road and then the Officer instructed to reverse and park by the side of the curb. I put the reverse gear on and rode directly on top of the curb and parked it nicely there. My instructor who was sitting silently on the back by this whole time started screaming to stop the car. The Officer who was sitting in the passenger seat ran away even before the car stopped. Well,  I was proved wrong about the corruption in India and I was denied driving alone on road.

After that incident, I forgot about my dream of driving. We got a car. but, I preferred my passenger seat.I had more important things to do. I had to take photos. I had to correct my husband's faults during driving. Ohh yes, I was totally occupied. 

After a year or two, once again that driving bug started bothering me. I again enrolled myself in another driving school. After 3 or 4 classes I came to know about my pregnancy and I discontinued. Was there any reason for that? Absolutely not! It was just another excuse. After my daughter was born, we decided to move to States and I knew how difficult it is to survive in the US without driving. That's why I decided to take a class a third time. This time, I managed to convince my friend to accompany me and we decided to learn together. We took the class at the same time in two different cars.  We waved at each other excitedly on the road when we met as if we were meeting after years. Both of us knew all the rules of driving. It's just that we did not have the confidence to hit the road. This time, I completed my lesson and somehow managed to get my first driving license. My friend already had one. 

On moving to the US, the challenges were different. I had to unlearn what I had learned. But the rules and the auto gear were blessings for me. Finally, I got my driving license. Well, that's a different story to tell.Now, I am eligible to drive alone on road. It was a long and terrifying journey.  Still, I am scared of highways. I don't let my steering wheel go. I never eat or drink or sneeze while driving. However, I can ride a car. If you are scared to drive, you are not alone my friend! But "don't let the fear of what could happen to make nothing happen!" Some roads are beautiful and some journeys are rewarding.Sit behind the steering wheel and you will feel a fear.Don't let that fear to be the driving force in your life. Learn the A-B-Cs of driving and keep riding your dream. Then finally, a day will come when you will notice that anyone driving slower than you is an Idiot and anyone going faster than you is a Maniac! Live for that Day!

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Behind-The-Wheel Driving Test at Santa Clara California on March 2016

I was reading anything and everything available on Google, regarding driving test experience at Santa Clara, before my Behind-The -Wheel test. I promised myself that I will share my experience once I get my License. Hopefully, it is going to help someone who is going through the same phase.

Well, my first-time experience was not so good. I had booked my first Behind-the-wheel test, right after clearing my written exam, at San Jose DMV. I took a morning slot, around 8:30 AM, at Santa Clara DMV, within a month time gap. I thought that a month of driving is enough to get a license. But sometimes I can be so wrong!

I took a driving class of 6 hours to learn the traffic rules and to get the initial confidence of hitting the road with our own new car.  I started driving on weekends and a few times on weekdays with my husband. As the D- Day was approaching, I was getting nervous and was not sure if I were ready for the test. Finally, the day arrived.

My First Driving Test - A BLUNDER!

We reached 15 minutes before my scheduled time and was waiting in the queue. At the counter, they checked my fingerprints and the insurance document, registration document and my husband's license. Once everything verified, I was told to wait in my car, in the lane, meant for driving test. 2 cars were already there, waiting before me. My turn came and an Inspector came for my test. I had to sign my "Driving Performance Evaluation Score Sheet". She checked all the documents and started my "Pre-Drive" Test where I was checked if I knew all the controls of my car. Once satisfied, she sat inside the car and told me to drive ahead. There was a very clear instruction that she was going to tell me where to take a right or a left. If nothing was told, I had to follow the road and traffic rules.

We hit the road and she told me to take a left turn along the "Granade Ave". At "Flora Vista Ave." she asked me to take a left turn. Now, did it ever happen to you when you get confused between your left and right? If not, believe me, you are lucky! Unfortunately, I was not among those lucky ones. I said "Okay" aloud. But inside my mind, I was ready to take a right turn. Near the intersection, my Inspector again repeated that she wanted me to take a Left turn. Then it struck me that I did a big mistake and I panicked!I had already missed my left turning lane and some car was waiting there to take a left turn. I was not sure what I needed to do and then my inspector intervened and asked me to wait till all the traffic clears and then to take a left at the "Flora Vista Ave.". I knew that I had screwed up my test. I was asked to enter the DMV and park on one of those allocated slots. She explained to me that I should not be that nervous and drive more and then again take a test and it was over.

My Second Driving Test - A SUCCESS!

After my first awful experience, I was not willing to go for the test unless I was absolutely prepared. I continued driving, but only on weekends. 3 months passed and  I didn't book any appointment. Then one day, suddenly I realized that I would never feel confident enough for the test.So, I told myself " bring it on"! I booked an appointment, again at Santa Clara DMV after 3 weeks time. Although I got advice from many people to take the test at Las Gatos DMV as apparently, it is more strict at Santa Clara. But I took a chance. I started preparing, both ON road and OFF Road. I saw a few videos and the common mistakes that people do in driving test. I started searching for the routes that they usually take the driving test at Santa Clara. I took a print out of the routes and drove on those roads, 2 days before my test. But I was still worried. Reluctantly, I searched in Google if anyone else has faced the problem of getting confused between left and right and if there is any workaround. I was really surprised to find out that it is a common syndrome. Well, that is a different story that I will tell some other day. Somewhere I read to repeat aloud LEFT or RIGHT before taking the turn so that my brain can hear me clearly and can act accordingly.

This time I had booked a slot at 2:30 in the afternoon, on 8th March,2016. We reached there on time and repeated all the steps as before. Only, this time, I had to pay $7 for the re-test. After the initial checking, the inspector got into the car. He gave me the same instruction as before and we hit the road. I drove for almost 20 - 30 minutes and returned to the DMV and my inspector told that I can take my Driving License at counter D. I was ecstatic!

 A few pieces of advice from my bag of experience!

• Know the roads and the routes well before taking the test. It builds a confidence and reduces confusion when you are actually taking the test. Here is the list of routes for Santa Clara Driving Test, that I had taken print of and practiced. Also, it includes the route that I had to take, during the exam.
• If possible, book an afternoon slot when the roads are relatively empty and the people on the road are driving in a more relaxed way.
• Need to be accompanied by someone with valid California Driving License on the Behind-The-Wheel test day, even if you are driving well and do not need assistance.
• Carry the below documents without a mistake:

1. Appointment Print
2. Learner License
3. Car Insurance
4. Car Registration

• Know your car! Below are the things that are checked as per the PRE-DRIVE CHECKLIST.

1. Driver Window
2. Windshield
3. Rear-View Mirrors
4. Turn Signals Front/Back
5. Brake Lights
6. Tires
7. Foot Brake
8. Horn
9. Emergency/Parking Brake
10. Arm Signals
11. Windshield Wipers
12. Defroster
13. Emergency Flasher
14. Headlights
15. Passenger Door
16. Glove Box
17. Seat Belts

• Be Conscious and check the mirrors every 5 seconds
• Emergency Vehicle approaching: I knew that I need to slow down and stop at the right curb if any Emergency Vehicle is approaching with sirens ON, in my lane. But I was not sure if I need to do anything if it comes on the other Lane. I did a few research and YES we need to stop at the right curb if we are in the opposite lane and there is no divider. But, no need to stop if there is a divider in between and the emergency vehicle in on the other side.
• Any single critical error implies unsatisfactory result. Critical Errors include the below:

1. Intervention by Examiner
2. Strikes Object/Curb
3. Disobeys Traffic Sign/Signal
4. Disobey Safety personnel or safety vehicles
5. Dangerous maneuver
6. Speed
7. Lane violation
8. Auxiliary equipment use

• No test on Highways and no parallel parking test. Only need to reverse along the curb, without hitting.
• Total 15 errors are allowed which are not critical

So that is all I had. All the Best for your test! Driving can be terrifying for some people like me! But at the end of that fear, there is a rewarding experience awaiting you. The story how I learned my driving is long and boring. But you can have your own tale to tell.

Good Luck and Drive Safe!

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Santa Clara Driving Test(Behind-The-Wheel) Routes

Through Homestead
Route 1:
=========================
L on Granada
R on Pomeroy
L on El Sobrante Av (Reverse & Curbside Test)
R on Kiely Blvd
L on Benton
R on White Dr
R on Las Palmas Dr @ STOP sign
R on HomeStead
R on Pomeroy
R on Granada
R onto DMV Office and Park

Route 2:
=========================
L on Granada Ave
R on Pomeroy Ave
L on El Sobrante Av (Reverse & Curbside Test)
L on Alpine Ave
R on Fresno St
R on Kiely Blvd
R on Homestead Rd
R on Pomeroy Ave
L on Benton St
R on Flora Vista Ave
R on Granada
R onto DMV Office and Park

Through El Camino

Route 1:
=========================
L on Granada
R on Pomeroy
L on El Sobrante Av
R on Via Dondera
R on Cala Blazas
L on El Camino Real
R on Lawrence Rd (Not onto Lawrence Freeway)
R on Warburton Avenue (Reverse and Curbside Parking)
R on Pomeroy
R on El Camino
L on Flora Vista
R on Granda
R onto DMV office and Park

Through Both El Camino and Homestead

Route 1:
=========================
L on Granada
L on Pomeroy
R on El Camino Real
R on Kiely Blvd
R on Home Stead Rd
R on Qunice Avenue
L on Brook Dale
R on Pomeroy
L on Benton
R on Flora Vista Ave
L on Granda
R onto DMV office and Park

Route 2 (My Driving Test Route)
=========================
L on Granada
L on Flora Vista Avenue
R on El Camino Real
R on Pomeroy Ave
L on Benton 
R on Keily Blvd
R on Homestead RD
R on Pomeroy
L on Benton
R on Flora Vista Ave
L on Granda
R onto DMV office and Park

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