Valli Driving School

You can find us at No 16/57 on Naidu Street in the Kootur area of Chennai. We’ve been teaching people how to drive around these streets for a long time. The office is small and usually has a few people waiting around for their turn or filling out forms. It’s often quite hot in the afternoons, so we keep the fans running at full speed. Outside, the street is usually lined with scooters and our few training cars. Driving in Chennai isn't easy, so we spend a lot of time talking about patience and watching the mirrors. Our cars aren't brand new, but they work fine and have the extra pedals fitted like they should. Most of the people who come to us live in the neighborhood. We know the local traffic police and the best routes to avoid the worst congestion during peak hours. Sometimes we have to reschedule lessons when the rain gets too heavy and the roads flood, which happens more than we’d like. It’s a very down-to-earth business. We don't have a receptionist in a suit; usually, it’s just one of us sitting at the wooden desk with a ledger. We just try to get through the day's lessons and make sure everyone gets back to the office safely. It’s a busy life on Naidu Street, but we like it. The walls are covered in old maps and some posters about road signs.