Driving in India

Driving in India is an interesting experience. There are a lot of rules, some of which are easier to discern than others.  Here are a few that we were able to discern.

Drive on the left side of the road.

Unless you need to go the other way because of a median.

Or if it is just more convenient to travel on the right side of the road. Then it is okay.

Park in designated areas.

Unless you need to park somewhere else, even in a lane of traffic.  Then it is okay.

Turn right from the right hand lane.  Turn left from the left hand lane.  Use center lanes to continue straight.

Turn right from any lane.  Turn left from any lane.  Continue straight from any lane. 

Stay in designated traffic lanes.

Unless you are on a motorcycle.

Or driving a taxi.

Or driving a truck.

Or any other vehicle.

In fact, if you need them, use the lanes from the other side of the road, whether or not there is median. (See above) Does anyone know why the government pays for those lines? It is a waste of space and money.

Find a place to pull off the road if you need to stop.

Pull to the side of the road if you need to stop.

If you really need to stop, just do it where you are. Traffic will go around you.  This includes stopping in intersections or the fast lane on the highway.

Use appropriate transport for your party. See below for optimal vehicle size:

Motorcycle/scooter: 1-3 adults and 1-3 children.

Auto: 1-12 people, use laps, external grips and even the roof if necessary.

Car: 1-8 people. No seatbelts required.

Tour bus: depends on size, one foreigner per seat.

City bus: 1.5-2 Indians per seat and 2 per hand loop. Seating on the roof of the bus may also be used.

Cargo should also use correct vehicles. Size suggestions below:

Bicycle: may carry as much as physically possible without tipping.

Motorcycle: with two riders, boxes up to and including 50 inch flat screen TVs may be carried. Depth of box limited to around 18 inches.

Bicycle rickshaw: no practical limits besides weight.  Metal pipes up to 15 feet, bales of hay, 10 ft high bales of flattened cardboard are all valid cargos.

Larger loads should usually be taken to a point where bicycle rickshaws can make the final delivery.

Use the horn as appropriate when driving. Below is a sample of translated messages sent with a horn.

Beep: Be aware that I am here

Beep: Move faster

Beep: Don't stop

Beep: Stop

Beep: I am merging into your lane

Beep: I want to get into your lane

Beep: I am driving here

Beep: I want to drive there

Beep: I am overtaking you on the right

Beep: I am overtaking you on the left

Beep: I am merging into your space so you better move

Beep: I am forcing my way between you and this other vehicle

Beep: You are driving down the wrong side of the road

Beep: I am driving down the wrong side of the road

Beep: But it is more convenient for me this way so deal with it

Beep: I am turning right

Beep: I am turning left

Beep: I am performing an illegal u-turn

Beep: I am turning left/right from the fifth lane over on the opposite side of the road (on a two lane road)

Beep: I am bigger than you

Beep: I am smaller than you

Beep: I missed my turn so I'm backing up

Beep: I'm doing what the back of your truck tells me to

Horn length and multiple bursts can be used to emphasize any of the above messages.

Update: I thought of a few more.

Always keep an appropriate distance from other vehicles.

Minimum suggested distance for following: 6 inches

Minimum suggested side clearance when passing: 2 inches

Minimum suggested clearance when stopped: 1 inch

Our driver put it best when he said "In India, everything is negotiable."