Testing the testers

 

One of the most dreaded places to visit in the India is definitely the RTO ( Regional Transport Office). This is one place where you realize that all that talk about India being corrupt, is true. For an average Indian, who wants to do things the clean way ( no bribes, no influence , no nothing) this is a true test of your beliefs. Now I do not claim to be very honest and ethical, but yeah, I do have some standards. One of them being not bribing unless absolutely required. Going to the RTO without a tout or a driving school personnel accompanying you does make one feel out of place! You are asked ten extra questions on road signs, told to staple that extra pin in and to stand at all the counters and the grand finale would be when they tell you that you have failed. After such experiences for my bike license, I decided to get my car License done. I spoke to people, asking if I had to pay some ‘ speed money’ and the answer was always in the affirmative. I was disappointed and really felt the system just weighing me down.

I decided to get my Learner’s license and I failed the first time. I apparently did not know all the signs required for driving. Then I see these driving schools candidates walking past me and everyone passing without a question. So I promptly mug the sign chart and go for the test again. This time I’m asked all sorts of questions on road rules but I manage to pass with flying colours! I rejoice for a month and then again I’m left worrying about going to the RTO for my permanent license. I make up my mind to pay a thousand rupees to a tout and get the license hassle free. But at the RTO I have a change of heart and decide to take on the system. My first hurdle, getting myself enrolled for the test. The man there calmly tells me that there are too many applicants that day and I will have to come the next day. I ask him twice and he refuses. I go to the RTO commissioner and lament that I cannot take a leave and be told to come another day. The commissioner listens and signs my document and tells me to sit for the test the same day. A small battle won. Now I face the inspector. He asks me all the road signs again and I am flabbergasted, as I had already cleared the test. I still manage to answer and he tells me to get into the car and drive. He asks me only 1 question. What does your father do? I saw no relevance in his question but answered anyway. My father, who had accompanied me, started telling me how I will never get the license and that bribery is the only way. I nod and wait for the inspector to let me know my fate. My name is called; I walk in .The inspector looks up. He tells me to practice stopping on the road and that I did not do it properly. I give him that ‘ I know I’m gonna be failed’ look. Then he tells me that I have passed. I’m like, what?!!! And then jump up and shake his hand vigorously and thank him. And that’s how it ended. I told my dad who was outside, that I passed. He said that we saved a thousand bucks. I smiled to myself thinking that what was saved was my faith in the system. The inspector had just saved the entire system failing in my eyes, and through this blog I guess in the eyes of so many other ‘average Indians’.

~ by ashish on November 5, 2007.