Solo Driving Expedition!

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Wanting to learn driving, I enrolled myself in a driving school. Well the month long class was great, and I felt confident of driving around on my own. Next couple of times, I drove around for short distances with husband by my side, guiding me and giving me the much required support and confidence. Well finally the day arrived when I had to take the car out all by myself.

With my heartbeat racing, nervous but telling myself that I could do it, I set out.  The drive was pretty decent for a first timer after an initial jerky start. By the time I arrived at my destination, I was feeling really happy about how I drove.

After completing my work, I got back into the car and started off.  I had  just got onto a flyover and saw that there was a massive line-up of vehicles, literally bumper to bumper. The traffic was moving at snail’s pace. Now the panic mode set in. All my confidence and feel good factor vanished into thin air! I could only inch forward, constantly oscillating between the clutch and break. When I tried to go ahead the car would move back as I was on an incline. I don’t know how many times I chanted a prayer to the Lord, pleading him to get me out of the traffic snarl. Maybe He did hear my prayer. I somehow did manage to come out of the mayhem unscathed but sweating profusely because of the tension. The drive on that flyover which normally takes a couple of minutes, took almost 45 minutes. You could imagine my ordeal.  What a relief it was reach back home without a mishap. I offered a heartfelt thank you to God for bailing me out of the mess.

This  was many years ago. Have been driving ever since.  Now when I look back at it, I smile at my nervous yet successful first time solo driving expedition!

In response to the daily prompt : Nervous

40 thoughts on “Solo Driving Expedition!”

      1. This is a motivating read R. Thanks so much for sharing 😊🙌very much appreciate that. I really hope I make up my mind to change gears soon ..

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  2. what an experience! It’s worth sharing. It is going to give all other women that are afraid to drive on their own – and equally some men, courage to do so. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I got through my first solo drive thanks to the swift reaction and skills of other drivers , pedestrians, hand carts, and cycle rikshwas.and not to mention the convoy of Military trucks . That of course was in jorhat in 1963 when cars were a status symbol , and had the right of way..

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  6. that’s so real and common….even if you look back and try to remember the pose while we sat….it must be funny….so conscious and erect…..and a horn from the back just disturbs us too much….as if we did some mistake….

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  14. Congratulations Radhika! This is for you👏👏👏👏👏 and a standing ovation in all sincerity. I have a driving license and used to drive too but with my heart in my mouth. The whole point of having my children’s life literally in my hand freaked me out. I took a brake from driving after my little one kept screaming but will start refresher classes soon. Please do give me tips on how u went about it🙏🏻

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    1. Thanks dear for the standing ovation. You make me feel on top of the world 😍😊. Initially it was the same for me too. Would get so tense whenever I had to drive. No music, no talking. Full focus only on the road 😁. But taking the car out every day is the only way to gain confidence. Then it becomes natural. Pranitha, do take it up again. I am sure you will get over the initial apprehension. Good luck dear👍

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  15. I enjoyed it. It reminds me of my first such expedition on a ascending road and getting trapped in the traffic. I got out of that truly in a ‘rustic’ way. About that I may blog soon. I really forgot about that. Your small but beautiful write up has rekindled that memories.
    . Thanks a lot.

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