What's a license?

Ever since I was a kid, the one thing I was sure of is that the moment I turn 18, I would get my drivers licence. The day after I legally became an adult, I went to the driving school and took the test.

What I didn't know was that we needed a learners license for 6 months before we took the actual test. And it's good that the system is that way because, despite all my confidence, I was completely clueless on how to drive.

The poor Instructor had to keep his leg on the break constantly, lest I crashed into everyone. I progressed slowly since they taught that way- steering on the first day, gear changing the next, indicators and other things, but the one thing they did not let me do was accelerate.

I was crawling like a snail for 3 weeks. It really annoyed me. I was sure I'd gotten the hang of it. I could stop on my own now and the car used to stall like 4 times of out 10. But i wasn't bad anymore.

Until I drove my father's big Innova and realised I was not okay with this. It's one thing to change gears and drive on your own with the Instructor being able to control your speed and another to be entirely on your own in a huge car.

To make matters worse, there were cows. On the road in front of me. Didn't know that was a new vehicle type. I admit I panicked. I stopped suddenly, which made the car stall, and i was stuck in the middle of a turning with the cows.

At that moment, I loved the small little Baleno that belonged to the Instructor.

It got much better after that though. I could drive our car on the highways and through small roads with a little bit of panicking. When I visited my hometown, I drove my aunt's tiny Alto and fell in love. It was so easy and smooth compared to our loud groaning Innova.

Everyone could see how much I improved a year after starting. I no longer stalled every time and I panicked a lot less when big trucks came my way.

The day I became a pro was the day I got my car. And im only a pro because it's an automatic. If I drove a manual I would be banned from driving.

I love my car. It's a cute little thing that I take everywhere. This time, I trust myself and the car.

My only biggest issue is parking. I despise it. Now I understand why everyone hates parallel parking. I feel like a public hazard when I don't get it right.

But i'm still a learner. I'll only get better as I grow and travel more. And im sure I'll have my lovely car with me throughout.