LEARNING TO DRIVE

Sri Lankan driving definitely has a style all of its own. As anyone who has visited here can attest, it is enough to make an Aussie laugh, cringe, close their eyes or cry, depending on their temperament. You may ask yourself, "Where do these people learn to drive?". Allow me to enlighten you.

There are indeed driving schools, as we have in Australia. Aspiring drivers practise by driving the instructor around town (no task for the faint-hearted!), just as you might expect. However, it might be appropriate to mention that the vehicle is not a car, it's a van. The driver has maybe 6 other passengers apart from the instructor, sitting patiently in the back. They are the rest of the class. Lessons last for around 2 hours, with students taking turns at being the driver. Each student drives for around 15 to 20 minutes and spends the rest of the time as a passenger. I suppose you'd be hoping that the rest of your class are good drivers!