My Driving Experience
by C. D.
Back during the early 60’s in Rangoon (Burma), my first motorbike was a Java 200cc and during my last year in school, I was allowed to bring it along and given a parking space. Riding a motorbike was simple as long as one knew how to ride a normal bicycle. The only difference was the travel speed of one compared to the other and the ability to change gears with your feet.
After graduation, I learned to drive the family’s Willys jeep in familiar streets. As I was first starting out, the last thing I wanted was to be stuck in grid-locked traffic with irritable drivers all around, so I tried to stick with off-peak times which were during early mornings or late at night.
The day came when I had to go through a driving test. During those days there was no written test but just a driving test with an inspector. The jeep that I used was a manual transmission type, which meant, I had to use and synchronize three pedals clutch, brake and accelerator plus a gear shift stick and even having to signal with my hands. Gladly, I passed with flying colours and my driving license allowed me to drive a car or a motorbike.
Once I received my license, I became a designated driver for the family. “Drive me to the market, friend’s place” etc etc were few of the commands from my family members. At first given the chance to drive around independently, I enjoyed it until later I realized it took time off my private trips with friends.
During the mid 60’s once I migrated to Hong Kong, I easily converted my Burmese driving license to the Hong Kong one. I assumed that I could also use the same license for a motorbike. I was wrong and was caught riding a motorbike with the license which did not specify motorbike. I had to pay HK$30- penalty.
In the year 2000, being a Singapore resident, I had to apply for a local driving license in order to drive legally. I thought it would be easy for the transport department to accept my Hong Kong driving license as proof to issue me the local license. No way! I was required to go through a theory test. I was given 2 books to study before taking the theory test. Seriously, I was nervous.. after driving for many years, what if I failed? I went through the books a few times before I took the test on a computer at the transport department. Gladly, I passed and was immediately issued a driving license the same day.
Last year, when I turned 80, the Hong Kong transport department required me to submit a medical report and a driving test report in order to renew my license. After a medical test, my doctor released a satisfactory report. As for the driving test, I had to visit a transport office where they had equipment to test me on my visual, imminent braking and alert awareness issues. Happily, I passed. Interestingly, the inspector later asked me when did I obtain my first driving license? I showed him my first license from Rangoon dated 1964 and he looked aghast. I asked him the reason? He claimed he was born in that year!
One thing I must admit, with all those years of driving in Rangoon, UK, Europe, Australia and Singapore, I have never had an accident caused by me. Only once a truck came rolling down a slope in Hong Kong and smashed into my driving side. I could not open my door. The tough body of my Mercedes Benz saved me.
When I visited my doctor a few months ago, he suggested I should stop driving due to my delicate heart condition. Reluctantly, I surrendered my Benz coupe. Presently I use my second car with a driver to drive me around… and getting quite used to the comfort too. Eventually, time will come when I will be sitting comfortably in a driverless car and I would then be able to command, ‘take me to my office’ while catching up with the daily news on my iPhone.