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| | | | | | | | | | | | Institute of Driving Training & Research | | | With the launch of IDTRs, Maruti Suzuki introduced world class driving training facilities to India. These include scientifically laid-out driving tracks, advanced computer simulators and a theory module for class room training. IDTR at Loni, started in 2000 in collaboration with the Delhi government, is spread over 14.6 acres. It caters primarily to commercial vehicle drivers. In 2006, the second IDTR was set up at Sarai Kale Khan, South Delhi to focus on personal car and Light Motor Vehicle drivers. We have recently added two IDTR's one in Uttrakhand and another at Gujarat. Taking a step forward the Institute at Vadodra ( Gujarat) will not only impart driving training and contribute to road safety, it will also offer automobile technical training to Gujarat's tribal and under-privileged youth to strengthen their employability.
For the future, Maruti Suzuki will continue its endeavor and plans to set up more IDTR's in partnerships with other state governments across the country.
Some personal experiences from the IDTR
Ram Vishal Pandey
After 23 years of service in Indian Air Force I joined IDTR in Sept'08 and I have a pleasant feeling in this profession since teaching is my hobby and I enjoy it utmost. I am also happy to be in such a noble profession where I will be able to save a lot of lives by teaching them correct road sense.
Rakesh Vats
We have a state-of-the-art driving simulator which gets a good response from the people who learn. Overall, I think that the IDTR is doing great service to the society.
Seema Aggarwal
I feel very comfortable teaching very experienced drivers at the IDTR. Though this profession is not very common for women to take up, I am enjoying my job. | | | | | | | | Maruti Driving School | | | Road safety is a key concern area for both the government and people on the road. according to various studies lack of professionalism in driving and untrained drivers are primarily responsible for the majority of road accidents.
As a part of our initiative to improve road safety and and inculcate safe and systematic driving habits among people. maruti suzuki has opened Maruti Driving Training School (MDS) modeled on International Lines, where there are components of Classroom Training, Practical Training and Attitude Training. There are world-class Simulators to give a hands-on feel to learners before taking the vehicle on the road, which is especially beneficial to those who have a fear of driving. These also simulate various road and weather conditions like fog, dim light, uphill and downhill terrain, to provide comprehensive training to learners.
Having started in Bangalore in March 2005, Maruti Driving School has now spread its network throughout the country. Maruti Suzuki has involved its vast dealer network in promoting road safety and safe driving. In collaboration with the dealers, Maruti Suzuki has set up over 69 Maruti Driving Schools (MDS) in over 59 cities across the country.
One of the unique feature of these driving schools is that there are lady instructors appointed to train women at these schools. | | | | | | | | Women and Driving | | | In the early 1990s, it was quite a discovery to see women drive a car in India. It was completely a man's domain, and women mostly used public transport or were led by chauffeur - driven cars.
One of the limiting factors were the kind of cars that were available in the Indian market at that time; cars were often bulky and difficult to drive.
Today, the Indian woman has moved beyond her traditional roles. The transition from a humble homemaker to a tech savvy, independent, decision maker has happened and women in India today occupy an important place in the society. | | One of the factors that has contributed significantly to the success of women in India is "Mobility", and this mobility has come in the form of personal transport.
Maruti Suzuki brought in the first car that was easy to drive and park in the Indian sub-continent. Today the latest cars and the technology adaptations like power steering make driving very easy and enjoyable. However, one important aspect was to 'learn to drive'. | | Only in this decade, organized players like Maruti have ventured into imparting driving skills through organized schools with world class training modules.
Maruti Suzuki has taken up to train them 'how to drive safely' through its network of 50 Maruti Driving Schools spread over 45 cities.
Maruti Driving School at trained more than 90,000 people out of which they have trained more than 41,000 women.
While the individual woman gains from learning driving, in many cases this skill leads to flexibility for the whole family. | |  | | | The Driving School Experience | | Majority of these women are homemakers with little or limited access to affluence. Some of them are college students, some are grandmothers, yet what is common is their sheer passion to learn driving.
Lady instructors have been appointed to train women at these schools. These schools are equipped with the world class, state of the art driving simulators and cars in good condition.
At MDS, the training modules are as per international standards and include both theory and practical. Difficult driving situations such as fog, uphill terrain, rain and night driving is simulated on state-of-the-art simulators to give learners a first hand experience of the weather conditions. Only after class room and simulator training the learners are taken for actual driving on road. | | | This mix of theory and practical gives learners a critical insight into the driving skills. In addition, the learners also pick up car handling training like changing flat tyre and handling minor snags and repairs in the vehicle. | | | Comments by some of the women learners | | |  | Anjana Khare, a homemaker, age 50, Bhopal: "Yeh bahut Zaroori Hai, kya maloom kab kya zaroorat pad jaye". | | "I don't have a car, I drive my husband's company car, occasionally. "It gives me a high when I drive to drop my daughter for coaching classes. I am happy to be independent." | | Hira Vernaker, age 35, Mysore : "Even if I drive only twice or thrice a week, I feel independent and do not have to wait for any one's help to manage my daily chores." "When my kids grow up they would also go to 'Maruti classes' before sitting behind the wheels". "The trainers are extremely helpful and they teach relevance of traffic signs and signages". | | Mrs. Kalpana Rajpoot, veterinary doctor, Madhya Pradesh : "I kept postponing my decision to learn how to drive for almost 8 years till I got tired of my driver's 'nakhras' and walked upto , Maruti Driving School at Gwalior." | | "Now when my friends visit me, even they compliment me for my efforts in learning driving. I encourage them also to learn driving. | | Rachna Garg, age 20, Jammu and Yashmi: "With the basic Learner's course I drive confidently on highways and city streets without being hassled". | | Neeraj Wason , Allahabad : "When ever I would see a lady driving a car I would wonder when I would be independent. I am glad that now I am a source of inspiration for many other ladies in the town." | | | | | | | | |
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