The word ‘test’ cannot be taken lightly. Be it a school test or a driving license test, there is some kind of pressure associated with it. What is the best way to reduce that pressure? The answer is preparation. Preparing to face the test gives you the knowledge as well as the confidence to pass the test.

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Your learning license test was online, but the driving license test will require you to drive a car with a supervising officer seated in the car. Usually, people have enough preparation time from the date they receive their learning license to the moment they fill the driving license application form.

Once you fill the driving license application form, you will be given a date and time for the practical test. It is natural to be a bit nervous while going for your driving license test. Read ahead to know some tips to prepare for your driving license test.

  • Bring Your Own Vehicle

While going for the practical driving license test, you can either take your vehicle with you or give the test using the vehicle available at the venue. It is better to take your vehicle with you as you will be used to driving it.

While practicing before the test as well, practice on one type of car, example – hatchback or a sedan. If you haven’t purchased a car yet, and are relying on the driving school for the car, or using a friend’s car to practice, ensure that they are of a similar type.

If you practice on a hatchback and get an old, squeaky, sedan for the test, the novelty factor associated with an unfamiliar car can deter your confidence. In case you get a different type of car, do not press the panic button as the basics of car driving remain the same.

  • Practice Those Moves

There are certain set patterns to a practical driving test. For example, drivers are asked to drive ahead in an 8-shaped pattern, reverse on a S-shaped route, drive on a slope, stop the car by parking parallelly, etc.

Practicing all these routines days before the test will be good for your muscle memory. Once you have mastered these moves while practicing, then you just have to replicate them during the practical driving test.

  • Don’t Forget the Basics

Wearing a seat belt, adjusting the rear-view mirrors, etc. are basic things that a driver does before driving a vehicle. During the pressure situation of a driving test, chances are that such basic activities might slip your mind. Therefore, making a conscious note about performing such activities during the test will help you to sail smoothly.

  • Keep Calm and Drive On

Do not lose your calm if things do not go as planned. Mistakes happen. It is okay to let one pass by and focus on the next task. You might fail to make the perfect turn but thinking about the mistake can ruin your next turn as well. Even if you make a mistake while giving the test, keep calm and drive on.

  • Be Patient

It is possible that you might have to wait a while for your turn to give your test. The supervisor might be a bit late or might have certain idiosyncrasies that might irritate you. However, you need to focus on the task at hand and be patient while driving and dealing with the supervisor. There is a possibility that the car might stop in between, gears might not change smoothly, there can be a problem with the gearbox, etc. Patience is in an important virtue while driving a car.

As the name suggests, a driving license depicts that you are authorized to drive a vehicle in India. To acquire a driving license, one needs to pass a couple of exams and undergo the training required in order to drive a vehicle.

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Traditionally, a driving license was issued as a small booklet. The license-holder was supposed to stick a passport size photograph, fill-in personal details and get the booklet stamped from the Regional Transport Office [RTO]. This method was flawed and an unauthorized copy was possible to make without much effort. Also, one could not apply for a new online driving license, they had to personally visit the RTO.

Nowadays, a driving license is issued in the form of a smart card. It looks similar to a credit card. A smart card driving license contains a small chip that holds the owner’s biometric information. A photograph is printed on the card making it impossible to replace. Also, other information like name, address, classes of vehicles, RTO-related information, etc. is printed on the card. You can apply for driving license online as well.

How To Renew Driving License In Another State?

  • The process of driving license renewal is a bit tedious. Once your license is approaching expiry, you need to visit the RTO which originally issued your driving license and get a No Objection Certificate from them. You can then apply for a new license in the Indian state where you currently reside.
  • One can also become a member of any of the nearest Automobile Association and get the driving license renewal done by the association.
  • Another way of driving license renewal is to approach an authorized driving school. They will charge a nominal fee for the process. Simply submit the documents and visit the RTO as required.

Documents For Renewing Driving License In Another State

You can opt for any of the above-mentioned methods to get your driving license renewed in another state. You will require the following set of documents for this purpose:

  • NOC
  • Form No-7 [called as computer form]
  • Medical certificate duly signed by an authorized doctor
  • Form No – 9 [Driving License Renewal application form]
  • Change of address form
  • Post cover [As your DL will be dispatched through postal services]
  • Passport size photographs – 2
  • Current address proof
  • Old Driving License

Visit the RTO located in your current city and go to the Driving License section as soon as you are ready with the documents. Here you will know the exact amount of fees you need to pay for getting a new driving license. Submit your documents and after you pay the fees, a receipt will be generated in your name. It might take around a month to receive the new Driving License via post.

Which Other Documents Are As Important As The Driving License?

Apart from authorizing you to drive, a driving license is also considered to be an important proof of identity. This is due to your personal details that are verified and printed on the license. To drive a car in India, you also require a couple of other documents. Let’s take a look at those

Car Insurance

Car insurance protects you from a financial burden if you get into an accident. This is why it is mandatory as per Indian traffic rules and regulations that you at least buy a third-party car insurance policy. It is also important that you opt for car policy renewal on time. Car policy renewal ensures that a layer of financial security is intact upon you.

Pollution Under Control [PUC]

A PUC certificate denotes the levels of pollution your car creates. These levels are not supposed to cross a certain limit.

Registration Certificate

It contains details related to the registration of your car. It is an important document that also denotes that you are the rightful owner of the car.

A driving license is necessary if you wish to drive a vehicle in India. Driving without a license is a punishable offense.

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Let us look at the process of applying for a new driving license:

How to Apply For A Driving License?

A driver’s license will not be issued without a valid learner’s license. Thus, the first step towards acquiring a drivers license is to get the learner’s license issued, undergo training, pass the learning license online test, and then apply for driving license.

Documents Required For Learning License

  • Physical Fitness Declaration [Form 1].
  • Passport-sized photographs.
  • Medical certificate [Form 1-A].
  • Age Proof
  • Address Proof

There are a couple of ways in which you can apply for driving license. Let’s take a look at these methods:

Applying For A Driving License Online

The online application of driving license is facilitated by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. This is a convenient way of applying for the license and you can access the website from anywhere.

  • Visit the Parivahan website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.
  • Select the Indian state in which you reside
  • Navigate to driving license
  • Click ‘Apply online’ and select ‘New Driving License’
  • A set of instructions on the application process will be displayed. Read these instructions and click ‘Continue’.
  • Options like Learner’s License, a Foreign DL, or a Defense License will be displayed. Check the relevant box and proceed
  • Now you will be asked for the license number and date of birth
  • Click OK after filling these details
  • Next, fill your personal details like name, age, and current residential address.
  • You need to be ready with the soft copies of documents like address proof, age proof, and identity proof.
  • The soft copy of your passport size photograph and signature are also required

To acquire a driving license successfully, you need to pass the driving license test. While applying for the same, you will be asked to visit the RTO and appear for a practical test. It will test your knowledge of driving a vehicle.

  • During the application process, select your preferred timing for appearing for the test i.e book the test slot.
  • Next, make the necessary payments and submit the application.
  • An application number will be generated after you click on submit. Do not forget to note it down as it will be required for future references. Also, you can use this number to track the status of your application.

Applying For Driving License Offline

Some people prefer to apply for a driving license offline. In this method, you need to personally visit the Regional Transport Office and complete the procedure. Refer to the set of documents mentioned below. Visit the nearest RTO with the hard copies of these documents. Each document needs to be self-attested.

Get the driving license application form from the driving license department of the RTO by paying nominal charges. Fill the form duly, attach your recent photographs, sign the application and submit it to the relevant office in charge. After the process is complete, you will be given a temporary license which can be used instead of your permanent driving license. You can expect to receive your driving license via post within a month.

Documents Required For Driving License

The following list of documents need to be submitted when applying for driving license:

  • Learner’s License
  • License Application [Form 9]
  • Proof of address

Anyone of the following document can be submitted as address proof

  • Ration card.
  • Voter’s identity card [EPIC Card].
  • Life insurance policy.
  • Utility bills like electricity, telephone bill, gas bill.
  • State or Central Government issued payslip.
  • Proof of age

Anyone of the following can be submitted as age proof

  • Pan Card.
  • School matriculation certificate.
  • Voter’s identity card [EPIC card].
  • Birth certificate.
  • Driving school certificate [for transport vehicle]
  • Documents related to the vehicle to be used for the exam
  • Passport-sized photograph

Remember that you cannot drive alone on a learners license, you have to be accompanied by a permanent license holder until you become one. Always carry a relevant license while driving a vehicle.

In the hustle bustle of city lives, we are rarely able to scrape out time for ourselves. Come to think of it, when was the last time you went for a movie all by yourself or gorged on your favourite dish at a restaurant alone? The answer is probably, never.

We are always accompanied by colleagues, friends, relatives, siblings, acquaintances and the likes. But sometimes, to really know yourself, it is important to travel alone even if it means for a few days only. Just pick up that bag-pack and head out.

Of course, in this day and age if you are a woman, you have to be extra cautious of your surroundings, and hence choosing the right destination is of utmost importance.

Before everything else, what you need to take care of is your finance. You don’t want to land up in a foreign country cash-strapped. Have you saved up enough to afford a vacation? Or do you need a personal loan? Why take loans from friends or relatives when there are financial institutions such as Tata Capital offering quick travel loans at easy interest rates? Apart from the obligation part, there is always a social stigma attached to loans taken from family or friends.

So, don’t let such thoughts bog you down. Instead, check out websites of banks and leading financial institutions such as Tata Capital, and find out your personal loan eligibility. If you fit the bill that is the personal loan eligibility parameters, and you have all your documents in place, then apply for a travel loan, without thinking twice.

A travel loan is nothing but a personal loan for travel. Something as simple as funds should not stop you from exploring the world and finding yourself.

Here are the top three picks for solo female travel in terms of safety, solitude, spirituality and everything that a woman wants  [yes, we figured that out, too]:

The Nusa Islands, Indonesia

Nusa Islands made up of three islands – Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and Nusa Ceningan – are what people say Bali was like three decades ago. Calm, serene and without the touristy crowd that throngs Bali. It’s got the bluest water that you can imagine, the beaches are absolute bliss, the viewpoints are gorgeous, to say the least. You can just spend hours sitting on a viewpoint or by the beach, simply staring at the sunset.

If you must, you could trek a few miles to feel nature at its best. This place is best suited for solo female travelers for the sheer reason that most people are anyway rushing to Bali, so you wouldn’t really have to sit awkwardly between two couples in a restaurant or a park or a viewpoint or the beach.

The roads are great for a day of solo excursion on a bike. You might just bump into other solo travelers, and make friends. Sounds good, doesn’t it? Take up a nice plush hotel for your stay without worrying about the expenses considering you have already armed yourself with a personal loan for travel.

Berlin, Germany

Wondering how such a big and busy city made it to this list? Well, Berlin is not just another big city – it’s filled with connoisseurs of art and culture, artists, and a rich heritage that you’d love to soak up. Since you have already availed of a travel loan, make no delay in booking tickets for art galleries, street art tours, museums and theaters in advance. You’ll absolutely fall in love with the city in no time.

Despite being the capital, Berlin apparently doesn’t feel crowded because it is quite spread out. And with umpteen big parks in every other neighborhood, there’s a lot of peace and calmness around. You can just hop in with a Frankfurter, some fries and a book, and spend your entire day reading in the lap of nature. Berlin is especially one of the top picks for women solo travelers because it has got a very low crime rate. The city is easy to navigate and to fall in love.

Iceland

Iceland ranks number one on the Global Peace Index. It is considered to be the safest country to visit for female solo travelers. A visit to Iceland, best known as the land of the ice and fire, can be one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.

Apart from the fact that it has a very low, almost NIL crime rate, the fact that it’s a country of contrasts – fiery volcano’s and icy glaciers – is what makes this country so offbeat and charming, just like women are.

The best time to visit Iceland, known for its extremely cold temperature, is February-March and September-October. When here, you can take some time out enjoying the Northern lights, the Dynjandi waterfalls — one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, situated on the Dynjandivogur Bay, or swim in the Blue Lagoon. The Blue Lagoon is one of the most popular attractions of Iceland. It is a geothermal spa made of heated seawater and has a mesmerizing turquoise colour.

You can even observe the tectonic plates that sit on the Pingvellir Plain, the point between North America and Europe where the plates are shifting away from each other. Witnessing this would be a once in a lifetime opportunity. Iceland is definitely not a place for joyrides and shopping so if your solo travel is all about that you might as well avoid Iceland. If your motto is to get closer to nature and yourself by soaking up the beauty of your surroundings this is the place to be.

Exploring Iceland can be a bit expensive and that is why it’s better you take a personal loan for travel unless you have a lot of savings to spend from.

The social stigma of travelling solo or even taking a personal loan no longer exists. So, if you are looking for the much-needed break or just a travel loan, financial institutions like Tata Capital are there for you.

Air purifiers may not yet be a standard item in every home, but perhaps they should be. No matter how clean your home may appear to be, and no matter how much time you spend vacuuming and dusting, the air in our homes remains full of particles which can prove harmful to the health. As we can’t see them, we often don’t realize that they’re there, however we’re still breathing them in every day, and over time, these pollutants and contaminants can cause a raft of problems for you and everyone living in your property.

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If you’re wondering whether or not you should invest in one of these valuable household items, you’ll find five good reasons here that might make you stop and think.

1. Do You Have Asthma?

Do you suffer from a respiratory condition? If so, investing in an air purifier is the best option for you. The contaminants and pollutants that are found in the air, even though we can’t see them, get into our lungs every time we breathe. That causes irritation and exacerbates existing breathing problems like asthma, worsening your condition and making life miserable.

If you or someone in your family suffers from asthma or any other breathing condition, it’s definitely time to invest in one of the best air purifiers. Thanks to their HEPA filter, all of the contaminants in the air from pet dander to pollen will be effectively removed, keeping your lungs clear for easier breathing.

2. Do You Have Pets?

While talking about pet dander, let’s look at one of the other reasons to consider investing in an air purifier. Pet owners often fail to realize just how much their pet can affect their living environment. Although we love our dogs, cats and other furry friends, their hair and fur can get everywhere. Even when you vacuum your carpets, rugs and hard floors regularly, dander gets into the atmosphere and you end up breathing it in. Even if you don’t suffer from any respiratory complaints or allergies, pet dander can irritate your eyes, lungs and nose, making spending time at home unpleasant. An air purifier is perfect for dog or cat owners who want to have a cleaner, healthier indoor environment.

3. Do You Live Near A Main Road?

If your home is located close to a main road, you could find that pollutants released from the exhausts of vehicles passing by your windows are finding their way into your home. Breathing in contaminants all day every day can lead to health problems, so finding a way to remove those compounds from the air is vital. An air purifier will trap the potentially harmful particles, stopping you from taking them into your lungs.

4. Do You Smoke?

If you are a smoker or you share your home with one, investing in an air purifier is a great idea. Air purifiers can trap the potentially harmful particles that are found in cigarette smoke which others in the home can breathe in. Since second hand smoke is never pleasant, an air purifier is a great way to protect family members and to make the house smell and feel cleaner and fresher.

5. Is Your Home Damp?

If you live in a property which is damp and prone to mold and mildew problems, you should definitely consider buying an air purifier. Mold spores aren’t just unsightly to look at, they can also cause some serious health problems if allowed to grow unchecked. Using products such as bleach only disguise the spores without actually killing them effectively, so finding a way to remove the dampness from the air which causes mold and mildew to develop in the first place is vital. An air purifier is designed to effectively remove the particles from the air which can cause mold and mildew to thrive, stopping it in its tracks and helping you to stay fit and healthy in your own home.

As you can see, air purifiers are a useful addition to all kinds of homes. Whether you have pets, are a smoker or simply want to have a healthier living environment, you’ll find that investing in an air purifier can help you and your loved ones breathe more easily.

Every decade brings a lot of changes, some are good and some are not so good. For someone who is born before the smartphone or the mobile era, want their kids to go outdoors, play games rather than being glued to the smartphone. However, we can only feel nostalgic about it since it is difficult to get things [especially good] that used to be there in the past.

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The quality of air and water was also not so bad as compared to what we have now. Earlier we wouldn’t have thought twice before consuming water directly from the taps, but now we want our loved ones to consume water from Reverse Osmosis [RO] water purifier since it is free from harmful substances. Waterborne like Cholera, Typhoid, Jaundice, etc. diseases that are mainly caused by pathogenic microorganisms in water are also on the rise and it is always better to be safe than be sorry. The change in mindset can be attributed to the increasing amount of water pollution & water contamination due to rapid urbanization that has made consumption of water from RO water purifier a must! Apart from safe water consumption, having a water purifier RO has many advantages:

RO water purifier removes hardness in the water so that it is safe for consumption. Cryptosporidium is a common material found in lake water, as well as drinking water. RO water purifier is highly effective in removing this harmful substance. RO water purifiers remove harmful toxins like Lead, Mercury that can cause illnesses like Anemia. Chlorine is used for purification of water, but excess consumption is not good for our health. RO purifier removes excess amount of Chlorine that is found in water, making it safe for consumption.

Though RO water purifiers take more time to purify and are expensive than normal water purifiers, its advantages weigh much more than its demerits. They also improve the taste of water so that you can consume it without any hesitation. With so many water purifier brands, you need to trust a company that has brand value and is a leader in that segment.

As far as the Reverse Osmosis technology is concerned, it uses a semi-permeable membrane that helps in the elimination of finest traces of impurities that might cause water-borne diseases. Organizations also have to take utmost care of their employees as their productivity will have a direct impact on the business. Along with other safety measures, organizations also deploy commercial RO water purifiers so that employees safe & healthy water whilst they are in office. Commercial RO water purifiers have a five-stage purification process with an ideal capacity of around 50 liters every hour.

LivPure is a company that is a leader in water purification and air purification technologies. It caters to customers across different segments since they want Indian citizens to be disease-free and lead a healthy lifestyle. RO price is also competitive with its other counterparts and one of the preferred mechanisms to clean water. Hence, when you are looking for the best RO purifiers, you should opt for a solution that can bring happiness in your life and keep your loved one’s miles away from any diseases.

Highways are meant to facilitate swift movement of vehicles. Whether you drive a commercial vehicle or a private vehicle, highways help you to reach your destination much faster. However, toll stations on highways stop this free-flowing traffic. Many-a-times, such tolls cause traffic jams resulting in increased travel time. This is where electronic toll collection comes in the picture. Read ahead to know more about electronic toll collection, its functioning and application.

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Reducing Traffic Congestion

National Highways Authority of India [NHAI] has brought in the concept of National Electronic Toll Collection program. This concept is suggested to be applied across highways in India. This move is aimed at reducing traffic congestion arising due to manual collection of toll at toll stations on highways. Such electronic toll collection is set to benefit vehicle owners, commercial entities, as well as the government.

How It Works?

This electronic toll collection is based on a Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] tag. This tag is placed on a vehicle and is known as FASTag or toll tag. Every time a vehicle with such a tag crosses the toll plaza, the toll is automatically deducted from the registered bank account of the vehicle owner. This means that instead of paying toll physically, you pay toll online. Going ahead, various online wallets can also be linked to facilitate online payment. Such an initiative is in sync with the Indian government’s endeavor to promote cashless transactions and build smart cities.

Promoting Transparency and Demanding Accountability

Apart from easing the flow of vehicles on highways, such an initiative will also help keep things transparent regarding the amount of money collected through the toll stations. Electronic toll collections on highways will be transparent and make the authorities more accountable. NHAI has come up with mobile Apps to help people pay toll online. People can buy and recharge FASTags through the following Apps: MyFASTag and FASTag Partner. The process is similar to popular e-commerce Apps. This way, those who have been transacting online will have a similar experience when it comes to paying toll online.

Other Application

FASTag has the potential to impact various other industries as well. For example, RFID tags can be used to facilitate transactions at drive-through food outlets, fuel stations, etc. Real-time data from such tags can be used for mapping the movement of vehicles. This can be looked at from an enhanced security perspective along with traffic control measures.

There has been a tectonic shift in the insurance industry with the advent of digital insurers. Such insurers leverage technology to reduce manual intervention across the insurance experience. Apart from this, they also focus on making insurance simple by reducing jargons and creating a convenient user journey.

RFID and Vehicle Insurance

In vehicle insurance, real-time data can be extremely useful in analyzing the risk potential of a particular policyholder. Currently, such data can be tracked with the use of telematic devices. This allows the insurance providers to offer customized calculation of motor insurance premium based on the risk exposure of an individual driver as opposed to arriving at a premium based on generalization. Real-time data collected through RFID tags can be useful to insurance companies. They can work towards analyzing that data in a way to promote personalized pricing. This way, drivers who ride safe will have to pay less insurance premium.

The New Normal

Years ago, highways were a new concept in India. Today, they have become a norm. Currently, highways in developed nations do not face traffic issues because of toll stations, as they collect toll electronically. Just as highways have become a norm in India, it will take some time for electronic toll collection to become a norm.

Are you on a lookout for a sofa online? Great. Sofa is an integral part of your home.  It’s a great equalizer. It’s an excellent option to increase seating space and your social status. Choosing a sofa set wisely means you are going to invest in a piece of furniture that will last you and your family for many years.

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Listed below are five smart tips to buy sofa set online.

Consider a sturdy frame

Solid wood construction is durable and long-lasting. It’s cheap and best quality. Though pine is softer and affordable option, it may warp or buckle after a few years. So, when choosing a sofa set online, make sure its frame is sturdy and made of solid wood and metal.

Know your joinery

It is essential to know the method by which the frame is joined at the corners. When choosing a sofa, you should consider corner blocks, wooden corner blocks, wooden dowels, metal screws with brackets. These are the quality joints. It’s essential to avoid a sofa that’s solely held together with nails, staples, or glue. These elements are used to reinforce a frame.

Buy sofa set online
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Hand-tied springs are best

Hand-tied springs are the creme-de-la-creme of sofa springs. They’re generally durable comfortable and very well constructed, with a price tag to match. If you go for the less expensive materials, the chances are that you’d not get the right products. So, don’t go for the price, but go for the quality.

Check Back

When buying a sofa, you should consider its back. It should be stable and sturdy, ensuring the back of the couch is robust and strong. When the sofa is delivered to you, pat the center of its back to confirm it is not hollow. A good sofa has a strong back with cushioning.

Comfortable Seats

If you want to bring a recliner or comfortable seat, make sure the seats are comfortable in all positions. Check the height color, materials, etc. You can choose from thick or shallow seats. For more height, go for a deeper seat.

To conclude, a sofa is one of the most important pieces of furniture for your home. When you shop for it online, you should consider all the points mentioned above to choose the right products.