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January 18, 2008

I did it! I did it!

Drum roll please. I got my driving license! Yippee!!!!
*coming back after doing a tribal dance*
So yes! I got my license. I knew I was driving good what with taking Ashu to school everyday and back for the past 2 months. But would I be lucky on the day of the test? Would I forget to look left, right and left? Would I run over a pedestrian? Would I miss a stop sign? Would the investigator fail me just because? The thing is there was a lot riding on this. If I failed, then I would nt able to drop Ashu at school and that would be disastrous as it wont be possible for Hd to do it everyday. It would take more than an hour if we used the public transportation. We would have to move nearer to school but than can be done only in September because of the lease. Oh, so many dilemmas. Anyway, everyone was saying I would pass except me of course. So today at 1 pm, the investigator sat in the passenger seat and off I went following his directions. In German! Links, rechts, gerade aus, autobahn richtung Bern, ... In 120, 100, 80, 60, 50 and 30 speed zones all in 25 minutes. Back at the office, he congratulated me, shook hands and stamped my paper! I hugged my driving instructor with a huge grin on my face which remained until I came home and did the tribal dance in the safety of home for Hd and Ashu. "Good job amma?" asked Ashu. Hd was of course all teeth. I could see the huge burden sliding off his shoulders. He does nt have to worry about the drive to the school anymore! Sigh!

Of course, the most important worry was this would be my one and only attempt. If I failed, there was no retaking the test. I would have to start from scratch like beginner drivers and spend close to 6 months and thousands of Francs which was nt an option for us. According to Swiss laws, if I have a valid driving license from another country, then all I have to do is take a test and If I pass I get the license and if I don't, get a learners license first and start from the beginning. This test has to be taken before completing a year living in this country. I can drive with my Indian license for one year. Since I entered the country in Feb 2007, mine would expire in Feb 2008. Hence the hurry. Hd got his license in July and I did nt think I needed one. But in November when we put Ashu in a school across the city, it became clear that I need to get my license too. So I called up the same driving instructor from whom Hd learnt and signed up for classes. Almost Ninety dollars for a 50 mins class because she speaks English too! But since I was driving with Hd and also driving to school everyday, I did nt need as many classes as Hd did. Then I sent the application and got the test date. And today was the day! So if you are in Switzerland, get the license before a year as its comparatively easy. They assume you know driving and test only to see if you understand the rules of this country. (Little do they know how I got my driving license in India!) Some of our friends who have lived longer here are finding it tough to get the license as the other test is supposed to be rigorous since the driving license is valid for life here. So get an English speaking driving instructor and apply for the test date without any delay.
http://www.stva.zh.ch/ has all the info but in German.

The investigator gave me a key chain after I passed which says "Gute Fahrt". (Good Trip ) Indeed! ;)

And happy birthday Big Boo. See I made you proud on your special day by passing! :)

31 comments:

Savani said...

CONGRATS!!! They make you take the test in German? Wow. You are onr road warrior. And many happy trips:)

Anonymous said...

Congrats!
And thanks!

Anusha said...

Yippee! Congrats, Boo...hope you baked a cake in your honor and ate it on our behalf :)

and Happy Bday to Big Boo!

AA_Mom said...

Congrats! You now have wings err wheels. To many more happy trips

Manchus said...

Congrats!! Now it is time for a cake and celebration.

Belated Happy B'day to Big Boo from my side.

Its our space said...

Yay!!! German and all,huh..terrific! Hmmm,takes me back 8 yrs - turn left-i asked "which one"after getting the car to start after only four tries:D.

Daisy said...

CONGRATS!!!!

K 3 said...

Herzlichen Glückwunsch!

Congrats (and no I dont know German, just asked a colleague!) Anyways, have great trips

Happy B'Day, Boo. May all your dreams come true.

Spontaneous Mini said...

Heyy!!
Congratulations!!
Me too got my driver's license this month. It was quite rigourous and I did fail the first time. Its my B'day tomorrow, the 19th, and it sure feels like a big celebration time more so since US is real bad when it comes to public transport, also I dnt have to depend on/wait for the Husband.
Happy B'day Boo... let us know how you celebrate the big day.

Laksh said...

Congratulations!! It took me three years to learn and get my licence :)

Shobha said...

Congrats :) Well done!

Timepass said...

Congrats Boo. Treat pending from ur side.. Happy Bday to Big Boo

Cantaloupes.Amma (CA) said...

Congratulations Boo on passing and saving a few bucks as well.
I had tension written all over my face when I took my test ... if I had failed, it would have the first ever exam I'd have failed, that was going to be soooooo embarassing ... thankfully I passed !!

Inba's Corner said...

Congrats, Boo!
LOL for "Little do they know how I got my driving license in India!"
I was just waiting for that line to crop up in your post and it did ;)

Lavs said...

Congrats and Happy birthday

Anonymous said...

ah well done, girl!!! u must be so proud. i took the test 3 times and failed dismally. so now have washed my hands off it!! sigh

Premalatha said...

Congrats! Well done.

Subhashree said...

Oh great! Congrats on getting the license. Test in German? Cool.

Belated birthday wishes too:)

Mona said...

congratulations!
way to go!

Unknown said...

hmm..

autobhan-la namma ooru auto maadhiri ottama irundha sari!

:)

before you know it, you will be zipping away at 120+ minimum and Hd will be telling his friends about the free rollercoaster rides you give him and Ashu...

I can see it happening already..

have a time machine that goes in my past to predict your future, you see...

noon said...

Wow - congratulations! Wow is for driving in 120mph zone! I just would not have been able to do that. Although I have driven 100mph, it was on a lone highway w/out any traffic! Not while I was being tested! OMG! Congratulations!!! Man I would have been stressed if so much was riding on my passing this test! You withstood all that pressure!

Anonymous said...

wow
congrats for your license.

By Deepa and Supriya said...

yayy!!!...enjoy your new found freedom!!, Herzlichen Glückwunsch!
but do I still have to watch out for a maniac driver on the speedways when I am in the swiss or are u a pro now??

the mad momma said...

heppy budday!!!! we are very very proud of you!

particularly since I have no desire to ever drive so its nice to cheer others on.. more drivers for me :p

The Inquisitive Akka said...

Grossartig Boo!!!!!Du bist bestimmt sehr, sehr froh! :)Ich traue mich nicht zu fahren :( Hab zu viel angst,besonders hier in Bangalore!
Kalakkite!

Sraikh said...

wonderful news.
Now you can zip all the place

Just Like That said...

YaYYYYY!! Congrats! and Happy Birthday!And here's to many more Gute Farhts' *splutter* Am sorry, but I don't know how to pronounce this, and i'm pronouncing it as Good Fart???? hahahaha
congrats again! :-D

Preethi said...

CONGRATULATIONS.. First time here.. and loved your blog.. linking you :)

Sunita said...

Congratulations!! Gute Farhts'!!! ha ha ha ... You know what I read that as :).
Happy driving & wish you many many happy returns of the day!!!
Happy birthday!!

Manchus said...

Looks like Boo has taken a break from blogging and is busy with 'Gute Farhts'.

B o o said...

Sorry people! Could nt get around to thank you for all your comments. Yes, Im indeed having a Gute Fahrt!! Yes, its pronounced exactly as its spelt! ;)

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