Driving In India

Steve Dawson

Steve Dawson

Member
I will be visiting India in December as part of a business trip that will involve travelling to several cities some distance apart. My company has suggested that either myself or one of my colleagues could drive whilst in India. However, Indian traffic seems very busy and a little chaotic to me. Could anyone advise me how quickly I would be able to pick up the local rules and regulations and how difficult it would be for a foreigner to drive in India ?
 
Driving in India is best avoided if you have not been living in India for a few years. A driving license is given after a driving test but you would laugh at the driving test they do. I was told to drive about 100 metres and then take a U turn and come back to where I started. I hardly knew how to drive back then. You could actually get one without having to go for a driving test.

I am sure this gives you an idea of kind of drivers we have on our roads. Traffic rules would be followed if people knew what they are. Yes we stop at the traffic lights but it is common sight to see people jump red lights and we don't have the concept of driving in a lane. Most problematic thing that you would come across is people overtaking you from your left right and they will try to run over you if their cars could fly.

A driver's salary is pretty low and it is not hard to find one who can also speak a little bit of English. Rs8000-10000 per month is what people are paying in Delhi NCR these days to give you an idea.
 
Tanmaya said:
Driving in India is best avoided if you have not been living in India for a few years. A driving license is given after a driving test but you would laugh at the driving test they do. I was told to drive about 100 metres and then take a U turn and come back to where I started. I hardly knew how to drive back then. You could actually get one without having to go for a driving test.

I am sure this gives you an idea of kind of drivers we have on our roads. Traffic rules would be followed if people knew what they are. Yes we stop at the traffic lights but it is common sight to see people jump red lights and we don't have the concept of driving in a lane. Most problematic thing that you would come across is people overtaking you from your left right and they will try to run over you if their cars could fly.

A driver's salary is pretty low and it is not hard to find one who can also speak a little bit of English. Rs8000-10000 per month is what people are paying in Delhi NCR these days to give you an idea.
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Thats similar to what I had heard, thanks for the answer Tanmaya, I think I will avoid driving in that case, I'm not sure my heart could deal with the stress. As drivers are so reasonably priced I think that would be the best option for us. Thanks again
 
Yes, that is right you should avoid driving if you are not familiar with Indian driving culture. Sometimes, I feel that breaking rules is a passion for them just like rules are made to be broken. But there is definite improvement nowadays. But the conditions of roads are not good at some places. A local person might be knowing that well, whereas you may not be familiar with this.

But regarding driving license I know about South India. We have to demonstrate our driving skills to obtain a license. For four wheelers you need to drive through a "H" without stopping or touching the iron bars. For two wheelers you need to go through a "8" at one stretch. That is the skill test. To become eligible for the skill test you need to go through an objective test first.
 
travelguide said:
driving skills to obtain a license
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Driving skills and traffic rules are two different things. There is no practical test for traffic rules in India that I know of. I took a driving test in UK and failed the written exam once and then failed the driving test because I did not prepare for either thinking Ive been driving for the last 7 years with not even a scratch to any of my cars so I must know a thing or two :)

My estimate is that atleast 80% of cars on Delhi roads have their side mirrors folded while on the roads to prevent touching other cars LOL. I also believe that some one who went through a driving test and passed with flying colors in one of the developed countries will not be able to drive in Delhi comfortably (initially) and vice versa.
 
Chahal said:
Driving skills and traffic rules are two different things. There is no practical test for traffic rules in India that I know of.
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You are absolutely right! That did not strike me in fact. Yes, there is no test to assess knowledge about traffic rules in India. What we learn is only from the instructor if he is kind enough, but that is not mandatory. The objective test may contain certain questions on it, thats all. I believe there should be a practical test on traffic rules too.

But when I joined Maruti (Indian Car Manufacturer) to learn driving, they use some advanced stimulators to create on -road driving situations. That was really helpful. Whenever you break any rules while using it, the system will immediately alert you. That is meant to give the learners a first-hand feel of the road before they actually use the vehicle.
 
Driving shouldn't really be considered if your not used to it as it can get a little busy to say the least. Depending on how far away the places are that you need to visit and where your staying will obviously make a difference to what other forms of transport you can look at though.
 
Chahal said:
My estimate is that atleast 80% of cars on Delhi roads have their side mirrors folded while on the roads to prevent touching other cars LOL.
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Ha haa thats true..

These days TOI newspaper has a page on Delhi traffic.. To drive in delhi u need to be an expert...specially when it comes to the traffic..


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It depends on where you are. In the south, driving can be a really pleasant experience. The south is beautiful and more sparsely population than the north. In the major cities like Delhi, driving is crazy and definitely an experience you can take home with you. The word congested is an understatement. Online they have basic rules of driving and information you can follow, but I've never been able to apply it in Indian cities
 
Chahal said:
Driving skills and traffic rules are two different things. There is no practical test for traffic rules in India that I know of. I took a driving test in UK and failed the written exam once and then failed the driving test because I did not prepare for either thinking Ive been driving for the last 7 years with not even a scratch to any of my cars so I must know a thing or two :)

My estimate is that atleast 80% of cars on Delhi roads have their side mirrors folded while on the roads to prevent touching other cars LOL. I also believe that some one who went through a driving test and passed with flying colors in one of the developed countries will not be able to drive in Delhi comfortably (initially) and vice versa.
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Sounds tough! I lived abroad for a little while and had to drive on the opposite side of the road and even that was tough, without a crazy level of traffic!

Traffic always stresses me out, and not knowing where I am going also stresses me out (for instance being in the right lane or whatever) so I would honestly find it easier to hire a driver if the cost was reasonable. Takes a lot of the stress out of it!
 
Chrisanswer said:
It depends on where you are. In the south, driving can be a really pleasant experience. The south is beautiful and more sparsely population than the north. In the major cities like Delhi, driving is crazy and definitely an experience you can take home with you. The word congested is an understatement. Online they have basic rules of driving and information you can follow, but I've never been able to apply it in Indian cities
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Thanks for the Answer Chris, yes I would never attempt driving in Delhi, its beyond my comprehension how there are not more accidents there, truly amazing driving and incredible congestion. The driving I was considering was mainly in the South although, after consulting with my colleagues, we have agreed to hire a local driver to drive for us. The cost of a driver is so reasonable and it will give me a chance to enjoy the journey and take in the sights of some of the most beautiful countryside in the World.
 
amelia88 said:
Sounds tough! I lived abroad for a little while and had to drive on the opposite side of the road and even that was tough, without a crazy level of traffic!

Traffic always stresses me out, and not knowing where I am going also stresses me out (for instance being in the right lane or whatever) so I would honestly find it easier to hire a driver if the cost was reasonable. Takes a lot of the stress out of it!
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Many thanks for the answer Amelia, I'm just like you actually, I do find driving really stressful, and lane-changing, particularly in heavy traffic turns me into a nervous wreck. We have decided to hire a driver now and I'm more relaxed about the trip already. The cost of a driver in India is so reasonable and a better deal than you will find virtually anywhere else.
 
Steve Dawson said:
Many thanks for the answer Amelia, I'm just like you actually, I do find driving really stressful, and lane-changing, particularly in heavy traffic turns me into a nervous wreck. We have decided to hire a driver now and I'm more relaxed about the trip already. The cost of a driver in India is so reasonable and a better deal than you will find virtually anywhere else.
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This is the best way of dealing with it I fear, since the traffic and conditions of travelling tend to be awful to say the least. Having someone who is both used to dealing with these particular problems with traffic is the best way, I think. When I went over I hired a car for what I thought was a cheap price in Jaipur, but it just wasn't worth the stress and dealing with the particular ways of some of the Indian traffic. But at least I wasn't hiring my own car in Mumbai...
 
Steve Dawson said:
Many thanks for the answer Amelia, I'm just like you actually, I do find driving really stressful, and lane-changing, particularly in heavy traffic turns me into a nervous wreck. We have decided to hire a driver now and I'm more relaxed about the trip already. The cost of a driver in India is so reasonable and a better deal than you will find virtually anywhere else.
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That's great news - glad to hear that it's already becoming less stressful just knowing that the driving portion is taken care of. Plus, if you're being driven it's so much easier to just sit back, and enjoy the scenery! That's one of my favorite parts of traveling and having a driver for the trip!
 
Hiring a driver is certainly one way to avoid the problems of driving yourself in a foreign country. Would you say it's common for tourists to hire a car and driver though, and when you say it's not that expensive, what kind of prices would people expect to pay for the privilege?
 
It will be very difficult to drive in India even if you are a pro.

The cities here are a bit too congested during peak hours. For any person coming from a lower populated country, things will be tough to handle. However, if you are staying for a longer duration, you can try your hands out, obviously if you have a driver’s license valid in India. Till then, it is safe to hire a cab or to take the help of local colleagues for the transportation.
 
Unfortunately I've to ride on the bad-wagon of saying 'not to try driving in India' if you are new here. Though traffic rules in UK and India are pretty similarbut just don't try it here.

We also drive on the left had side, well so to say in theory. The lane marking, some dotted, some thick like long ribbon and the 3-different colors in signals make it all look very animated so if we go crazy on roads don't blame us! We do honk pretty hard - sometimes go rhythmic with the music in the car.
 
Hiring a driver in India is not very expensive and also for intra city travels there are app based taxi services like Uber and Olacabs which have come up quite well in some Indian cities though not all. I would any day prefer this approach rather than driving myself which is a very tiresome experience and also very frustrating. It is not just the case of heavy traffic, it is chaotic on the streets. There is no lane discipline and nobody respects the rules of safe and secure driving. Yet you still cannot escape from the blazing horns whether you're driving or being driven.
 
moondebi said:
It will be very difficult to drive in India even if you are a pro.

The cities here are a bit too congested during peak hours. For any person coming from a lower populated country, things will be tough to handle. However, if you are staying for a longer duration, you can try your hands out, obviously if you have a driver’s license valid in India. Till then, it is safe to hire a cab or to take the help of local colleagues for the transportation.
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+1 - I've never driven in India, but just watching what the taxi drivers had to go through during my visit. Forget about it!
And I agree, if you have friends that can transport you to and from, take advantage of that! I always had to go through with taxis or public transportation :(.

And a lot of walking!
 
If a person isn't willing to take the chance of driving in one of the major cities, and they don't have access to transport via a driver, what sort of infrastructure is in place in regards to public transport, and maybe more importantly, what sort of prices would you expect to pay?
 
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