Car renewals and nail-biting moments

Ishtiaq Ali Mehkri describes a jittery moment that many of us may have experienced when getting our vehicle registration renewed

The UAE has several interesting twists and turns of life, and one of them, in my opinion, involves the annual car/vehicle renewal. Though the country has foolproof standards of testing and passing, it is human psyche keeps one groped in fears and uncertainty.
As I took my car for renewal for the fourth time (I own a 2011 Japanese brand), I'd calculated the amount I'd have to pay at the end of the day - the fees for testing, inspection, re-registration, renewal of insurance, and fines if any, to be cleared on spot - as well as any extra expenditure that the vehicle may incur. It made it no less than a Catch-22 situation.
The reason behind my nervousness was due to an incident that occurred last year. I was asked to get the front tyres changed, which cost me a lot and landed me in debt! That uncertainty of whether I would be asked to do the same this year kept me on the edge as I drove into a Tashjeel centre in Dubai.
While I am a careful driver and do not speed and or have a habit of lane-twisting, I must say I flunked this time. Just weeks ahead before testing, I gathered two fines of Dh200, as I mindlessly violated the mandatory disciplinary lane for light vehicles on Amman Street and parked in a wrong zone at Ibn Battuta Mall on the day of Eid. This added encumbrance made me restless and sleepless. 
Thus, on a dull Saturday after work as I made my way into the testing centre, I was almost like a wolf in the woods. I parked my car in the checking bay and stood aside in all helplessness; a scene that would leave any acquaintance of mine laughing. But soon, I began murmuring prayers for my beloved car to have a hassle-free passing by a couple of RTA technical professionals.
In no time, somebody called for my attention upon inspecting the car trunk. They could not find the hazard signpost, and asked me to buy one instantly. I obliged, as I watched my car being driven away into a secluded parking slot. It is hard for me to narrate that sentiment. I had my finger-crossed to know the result. 
As I patiently waited see my counterfoil number on screen, I sat dumbstruck and fidgeted with my wallet. When the moment, I'd never felt as lifeless as I was at that point of time. The officer stamped my paper without any feedback and charged me a fee of Dh120. I paid, but didn't have the courage to see whether it was a red failed stamp or a green print of passing at the time. 
I'd innocently asked him my car's fate, to which he smiled and told me exactly what I'd been hoping to hear - Pass! (Habibi. Ya'Allah) 
mehkri@khaleejtimes.com

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