It is a different matter that both were expert in driving and never let the Magistrate down.
When I got my immigration to Canada, I had a history of over three decades of accident-free driving experience. I embarked upon getting a driving licence from the province of British Columbia (Vancouver).
My son got me a fat book with pictures and diagrams and all road signs to prepare for the test. I glanced through the book and found that it contained too much irrelevant data like the description of 'child seats' to “yield”, “merge” and “stop-look-go” signs to be followed.
Soon one morning, I was about to leave for appearing for a written test, when my daughter-in-law, doubting my preparation, asked me to first answer a few test questions. She asked me what level of alcohol in blood was permissible for allowing a person to drive and the age and weight required for a child to go in a booster seat.
I looked blank and felt she asked me unnecessary information. But she insisted not to waste $20 fee for appearing in the test and failing since I had not yet learnt the basic things before taking a test.
I took a few more days to memorise all details in that book before I finally appeared for a written test. It was a set of multiple choice questions to be answered on a touch screen (a never-seen-before technique).
Fortunately, I cleared the test in first attempt.
Now the actual driving test was to take place for which I was ready but my son advised me to take some formal lessons. I thought it was a waste of money and time since I knew driving so well. I took lessons from an instructor of a driving school which cost me $20 each session.
Those practical driving lessons about stopping at the zebra crossings or parking the vehicle correctly at parking lots or perfecting the skill of parallel parking and following umpteen other road rules/ etiquette were an eye-opener.
On the day of the driving test, my son gave his car to me and saw me drive off with the person conducting the test. I was tense but maneuvered the car as per his instructions. I felt nervous as we returned to the licensing office.
I was anxious to know my result because I did commit one-odd mistake. The official who conducted my test, got out of the car and told my waiting son: “Son, you have lost your car”, meaning that I got my licence!
I heaved a sigh of relief. But the fact that a few of my colleagues failed many times and gave up proves that getting a driving licence was no easy task.
Whenever my license got expired (every five years) I used to visit the Licensing Office. The person serving me just fed my details in the computer from the expired licence, and asked me “Do you have any medical conditions? Is there any change in my address or phone number?”
As I said “No”, I was asked to move in front of a camera and my picture clicked. In the next minute or so a printout was handed over to me saying that I could drive on the basis of this temporary permit till a proper driving licence was mailed to me at my address.
The driving licence invariably arrived at my address in three to five days. No files/affidavits, no attestations by a notary, no medical examination, no proof of residence. They believe you. An amazing system!
Source:Tribune Chandigarh dated 10.02.2015 under musings
