For new drivers, coordinating hands, feet and gears can be a challenge (AI Image)
When you’re in a tense situation, you need experience to handle it, which, as a learner, I would not have initially and that makes me apprehensive,” says Kashifa Nadeem Khan, 22. Mona Mishra, 53, has been driving for three decades. Because the metro makes transport easy in the city, i’m putting it off.
I once hit a light pole, and the repairs cost him a lot, but he just laughed and said, ‘It doesn’t matter, you’ll do better next time. Learning to drive can be a humbling experience. It is an essential life skill, yet many people are reluctant to take on Delhi’s roads. For some, a driving licence is little more than another proof of identity. A common pattern is to learn the skill but get behind the wheel only when necessary. We speak to different generations about how they feel about the experience. Gen Z: Hesitant, but curious Gen Z may love being the passenger princess, but not forever. “I haven’t felt the need to learn. Driving seems very technical and scary. Her father taught her and encouraged her not to be afraid. “My father was the one who taught me how to drive, always telling me not to be afraid, reassuring me. It felt liberating. I don’t remember feeling scared, just a little nervous at first. ”
Entrepreneur Shitij Gulati, 37, believes the roads were safer then. Faisal Usmani, a 36-year-old assistant professor learnt to drive during the pandemic. Sameera Khan, 28 Veterans are supportive (AI Image) Veterans say confidence builds over time Sonia Sethi, 51, a Punjabi Bagh resident, first learnt to drive at 20 and began driving regularly about a decade ago. Mona Mishra, 53 You use AI every day.
The traffic (and common) sense has deteriorated,” he says. Afterwards, I understood its practical importance and convenience. ” “There was a great motivation in me to become a good driver because I was a girl. I didn’t want to hear the “women can’t drive” nonsense so I was very thorough with all my classes and practice! “It is understandable, given the comparatively worse traffic situation, parking problem and bad roads, along with better and more affordable public transport and cab service. ” “Seeing other women drive back then also gave me confidence.
“People had more patience. “The initial experience was a mix of nervousness and excitement. Before learning, I saw driving mainly as a challenge. She has since taught her Gen Z daughter to drive. She believes younger people are less eager to learn than her generation was. The first step is really to observe the car closely — the way the engine sounds, how the speed changes, and how the vehicle responds when it moves. It also helps to observe someone who is driving to learn the ropes before you get behind the wheel. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test Get the latest Lifestyle News and more. Download the TOI app.
Her brother Yasir, 18, is eager to learn. Gen Z is hesitant but always nonchalant (AI image) Millennials: Independence mixed with apprehension After 10 years behind the wheel, Sameera Khan, a 28-year-old counselling psychologist, says, “After I learnt how to drive, I became not just independent but dependable. Because there is learning involved in trying to understand where to focus at what time, when to time your gear shifts, and multitask constantly. ” Induja Tyagi, 30, says she has grown more confident since putting the learner’s tag on her car’s windscreen, it was intimidating to drive initially.
She adds, “While you can live without it in Delhi, as a woman, I get the independence and confidence to come back home at late hours because I am safe in my little metal machine. ” “I can’t wait to start learning. The idea of being able to control a vehicle and go wherever you want is exciting and must be enjoyable. I think I will do well with practice and guidance. My main concern is handling traffic and avoiding mistakes. For new drivers, the challenge is balancing several tasks at once: coordination, moving between the brake and accelerator, and mastering the gears. Now, I drive my parents around; we do road trips. It’s helpful and feels very rewarding when I get to help out my parents. But driving in Delhi was daunting at first. “I was terrified to even imagine that I would be driving by myself with that kind of traffic. It felt thrilling too; I believe it is an achievement for anyone to be able to navigate this challenge.
