All you need to know about four wheeler driving classes in Bangalore

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Having a driving license to ply on the roads of India is mandatory following the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and to have one, the driving license applicant will have to clear the driving test. The individual will have to first apply for a learner’s license, which is a written test and once he/she clears the test, he/she will be handed the learner’s license. The individual will then have to apply for the driving license and take the driving test. Here, the driving skills of the applicant will be tested. He/she will be asked to parallel park, drive up a slope, drive on an S-shaped track or a track shaped like the number 8. Once the applicant clears the test, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) will issue the driving license and post it to the home address of the individual within 30 days.

To prepare candidates for the four wheeler driving test, there are a number of motor driving schools that give crash courses for individuals who are first-timers behind the wheel. Candidates can either opt for the 10-day course, which is for an hour a day or for the 15-day course, which is for half an hour a day. The driving school will prepare the candidate to deal with various on-road situations, and more importantly, prepare him/her to take the driving test. Through a driving school, the procedure of availing a driving license - making the application, and then taking the driving test - becomes a lot simpler as the driving school takes care of the paperwork, schedules the test and makes the whole procedure more convenient for the candidate. That said, for those wondering what exactly the driving school does during the course, we’ll take you through the day-to-day program of the course and how the driving school gradually develops one’s driving skills.

10-day Four Wheeler driving course in Bangalore

To help driving license candidates know exactly what they are in for, we’ve listed out the 10-day program that motor driving schools offer candidates across Bangalore:

• Day 1

On the first day of your driving course, the instructor will first sit you down, and assuming that you are a beginner, he/she will brief you on the mechanics of the car. The instructor will brief you on how one should use the accelerator, the gears and the clutch of the car, the indicators, the steering technique when making maneuvers, how to use the blinking lights when overtaking, and when to change the headlight from low to high beam. Once the candidate has been briefed about the mechanics of the car, the instructor will then sit him/her in the car and familiarise the candidate with the use of the rear view mirror and the side mirrors. The candidate will be made to adjust the mirrors to give him/her the best possible rear view. Once the candidate has been familiarised with the parts and the mechanics of the car, he/she will be requested to turn on the ignition of the car. Note, just to be on the safe side, the car that will be used for the test will be modified such that the instructor will be in control of the clutch, brakes, accelerator, and the gears. Since it’s the first day, the candidate will be asked to concentrate on only steering the vehicle. The candidate will also have to focus on using the indicators when taking a left or right turn, and honking when taking blind turns.

• Day 2

Since the candidate has somewhat familiarized himself/herself with the basic functioning and mechanics of the car and has gained confidence by steering the vehicle through traffic, the candidate will be allowed to use the gears of the car. Note, here too the instructor will have complete control of the car as the clutch, brake, and accelerator will be fitted on the passenger seat as well for the instructor to make sure that there are no mishaps. In this way, the instructor can control the speed of the vehicle. The instructor will teach the candidate the half-clutch technique when shifting gears and the candidate will be asked to stop and start using the half-clutch technique. To challenge the candidate and help him/her gain confidence on the road, the candidate will be asked to reverse park, as well as drive up a slope.

• Day 3

On day 3, the instructor will run you through everything that he/she has taught you and make you implement the techniques and the basic things to keep in mind when driving on the roads of Bangaluru. To give you confidence, the instructor will give you more independence when driving the car, and he/she will take care of the car only when required.

• Day 4

On day 4, the instructor will allow you to increase the speed of the car and he/she will give you independence when controlling the gears. The instructor will assess whether you are getting the hang of the half-clutch technique, which is the most important technique to master when driving through traffic. In addition, you will be asked to drive on a steep ascent and downslope as well as parking in reverse and driving in reverse. At this point of the course, in order to improve much faster, you could use your own car and take it for a drive with someone who has already got a license. Practice driving at night as it is definitely a different scenario than driving during the day. Pick a time when you know there is less traffic on the road to practice.

• Day 5 and Day 6

On Day 5 and Day 6, the instructor will allow you to drive at a normal speed and take complete control over the car. The instructor will assist you only when necessary or if you’re stuck in a difficult decision. The instructor will constantly remind you of the techniques that he/she has taught you the first few days. Since the training is at a halfway point, the instructor will expect you to have almost mastered the half-clutch technique, constantly use the rear view and side door mirrors, and since your skill have been improving, the instructor will take you through a lot more difficult situations and roads, and challenge your driving skills in order to improve it.

• Day 7, Day 8, and Day 9

Since by now the instructor will be confident that you can completely control the car and that you have been following all the instructions that he/she has given you, the instructor will give you the biggest challenge on Day 7, Day 8, and Day 9 - to drive through peak hour traffic. The instructor will also take you on the highway to get you accustomed to the regulations of driving on the highway. In addition, the instructor will instruct you on the need to follow traffic signals and to follow the on-road signs to enhance your safety on the road.

• Day 10

On day 10, depending on your progress and your confidence in driving on the road, the driving school will schedule your driving test. The RTO officer will accompany you in the car and inspect all the little details that you need to know to drive the car. The RTO officer will keep an eye on whether you put on the seat belt even before putting on the ignition, if you adjust the rear view mirrors, and so on. Not doing this will result in you failing the test even before you start the car. Next, the instructor will challenge your four wheeler driving skill and will make you drive either on an S-shaped track or a track shaped like the number 8. The instructor will also ask you to reverse the car, park in parallel, and drive up and down a slope. The instructor will also ask you to stop and start the car to see whether you have mastered the half-clutch technique and while you are maneuvering the car, the instructor will keep an eye on whether you are using the car indicators appropriately, and the high and low beams to signal to the oncoming traffic. The driving license candidate will have to ensure that he/she strictly follows the road rules and regulations, the traffic signals, stop on the left-side of the road, and the general instructions to enhance safety on the road.

If the RTO officer is satisfied with the skills of the candidate, he/she will approve the issuance of the four wheeler driving license to the candidate. The driving license will be issued by the Regional Transport Office within 30 days from the day of clearing the test. The driving license will be posted to the home address of the driving license candidate.

FAQs

1. Are the driving license procedure and test the same between states and cities or are they different?

The driving license procedure and test are generally the same across all cities and states in India.

2. Will I be allowed to drive only in the city I availed the driving license from?

No, the driving license is a government document and the driving license holder is permitted to drive anywhere in the country.

3. Is it absolutely necessary to go through the driving course with a motor driving school to take the driving test?

No, for a private vehicle driving license, the candidate can take the test himself/herself and if he/she knows how to drive a car already, then going through a motor driving school is redundant. However, going through a motor driving school will make the process a lot more convenient and smoother but will cost the driving license candidate a little more. That said, for a commercial vehicle driving license, the candidate will have to go through the course as set by the Government of India. The course is offered by Government Motor Driving Schools, but most driving schools have tied up with the government to offer the training for a commercial driving license.

4. What should I do if I fail the driving test, despite taking the driving classes at a motor driving school?

If you fail the driving test, then the motor driving school will schedule another driving test as per your convenience and the availability of slots for the driving test at the Regional Transport Office.

5. Is there a difference between the 10-day training course offered by motor driving schools and the 15-day course?

No, it’s exactly the same, the 15-day course is for half an hour a day and the 10-day course is for an hour a day. Based on their availability, candidates can choose any of the courses.