An Experince of a different kind with the RTO This happened around 6 months back when I went to get my 2 wheeler, 3 wheeler and heavy goods and passenger licence. The test was conducted at Shanghimughom ground. went there eaarly in the morning, practiced taking the figure 8 on an M80 and an autorickshaw.
The Vehicle Inspector came little later and went through all the paper work then everyone took the part one of the test (the figure 8). Then there was the road test for the 2& 3 wheelers.(it was just a farce). we barely drove the vehicles on a deserted stretch of road for around 20m.
Next came the heavy vehicles and the surprise. The heavy vehicle test was conducted by the RTO himself. He was a little late in comming. But as soon as he came he got down to work. He and his assistant went through all the paper work for all applicants in a thorough manner and anyone with incorrect paper work was kicked out. Then all the eligible candidates were asked to board one of the two heavy vehicles (an Ashok Leyland bus and a TATA lorry). Now the lorry had a synchromesh gearbox and was pretty easy to drive...but the bus was different. It was quite old and did not have synchtromesh gearbox......We were all then taken to the bye pass road. There the candidate was made to sit on the drivers seat of the bus and one guy from one of the driving schools sat in the instructors seat which had a second Clutch and Brake pedals. (he NEVER touched the pedals unless the vehicle was in danger of an accident and i was watcing him the wholetime.) The RTO's assistant got onto the truck. Next the road test started.
I was expecting it to be a farce. But surprisingly it was done in a very good manner.
1) Any one who did not signal before starting to move the vehicle was kicked out.
2) Any one who did not check the mirrors before starting to move the vehicle were kicked out
3) Remember the bus did not have synchromesh gearbox. Some guys (mostly taxi drivers) came without even an hours practice of driving a bus and tried to drive it and as soon as the tried to upshift the gears would make a crashing sound and the RTO would ring the bell signalling the end of tjhest and they would be kicked out
4) Any one who was holding up traffic and crawling along were also kicked ot. (we were required to start the vehicle move through all the gears and down shift and then do it again).
5) Next came the best part one guy was taking his test and an ambulance came from behind with the sirens blaring. This guy wouldnt move over or pull over . The RTO got so furious that he got up from his seat and yelled at the guy to pull over and stop the vehicle and he also got kicked out.
6) I had my test and cleared it (was practising for nearly a year).
7) After each person completed the test on the bus they moved to the lorry comming behind for the heavy goods vehicle test. This was very simple as we just had to follow the bus and it was easier to drive with the slighter weight and syncromesh gearbox.
Finally at 5pm the test was over and I was able to go home. |