Driving (in India)

On Pranab’s site

DRAFT (needs work or removal)

My notes on getting a license and driving cars, based on my lessons and attempts this year. Some parts apply to driving outside India as well.

NOTE: Pay attention to your instructor, and don’t try to do more than they tell you. Reading is not the same as practice.

Use the license application knowledge to get yourself a license at a much cheaper cost than doing it through a school, and use the driving knowledge to supplement your other lessons and understanding.

How it Works🔗

• ll app
• written test
• get ll
• lessons/practice
• dl app
• written? + practical test
• get dl

in practice you can attend lessons to help you with your written test and they will also give you practical test even without an ll i thought it was a driving school allowance, but i’m not so sure

Applying for Learner’s License🔗

5kb file limit or something make sure it just gives an “invalid page” error instead of file size error

Driving🔗

There are 5 main things to concern yourself with in the beginning: At your hands is the steering wheel, at your left is the gear shift, and at your feet are the accelerator, brake and clutch.

gears:

• 1: starting up
• 2: 1-20 kmph
• 3: 20-30 kmph
• 4: 30-40 kmph
• 5: 40-50+ kmph

why gears: rpm, stressing out the engine, inertia, gear sizes (small spins faster, cause less work per spin)

changing by feel: shuddering/struggling vs little/no resistance
uhoh, not sure which is which

don’t bother changing unless you’re about to change soon anyway

Take-off🔗

Releasing the clutch creates some motion itself. Release it gently and press the accelerator slowly.

If you’re on a slope, facing up, hold the break, and release it slowly at the same time as the clutch. The moment the car seems steady, or even moving up a bit, switch your right foot from the break to the accelerator.

Take-off checklist:

1. Adjust mirrors
2. Side-view mirrors should show a third or less of the car, and mostly the road
3. Wear seat belt
4. Hold break pedal
5. Release hand break
6. Press the button and lower it
7. Slowly release clutch (till the very end) and gently press accelerator (only a bit)

Stopping🔗

Put the gear in neutral before leaving the clutch and turning off the car. The gears should not be engaged unless you’re holding down the clutch and/or accelerator.