Maruti Suzuki Driving School: Explore fee structure, courses, and training programs

Driving has become an essential skill for day-to-day life. One’s mastery over driving not only impacts their own safety but also that of others on the road. Yet, many people learn to drive themselves or from their family and friends without undergoing proper professional training. Formal driving classes not only train people on how to drive, but also educate them about other things like the functioning of cars and road passage rights, or giving way to emergency vehicles like ambulances. Any person intending to learn this skill should follow the correct way mandated by the RTO, i.e., from a professional 4-wheeler driving school.

This is where Maruti Suzuki Driving School (MSDS) comes in. MSDS is a chain of driving schools that was founded by Maruti Suzuki India Limited. Established in 2005, the school has been training new drivers in accordance with the RTO driving curriculum for almost two decades now. It has a strong presence across the country, with driving schools located in more than 250 cities. Throughout these years, more than 21 lakh students have successfully graduated from MSDS, and this number keeps growing each day. The schools are set up in partnership with the Maruti Suzuki car dealerships, and as of date, there are more than 530 schools across the country. 

MSDS has 2,100+ qualified instructors who train the students as per the global quality benchmarks. Keeping in mind the preferences and comfort of learners, both male and female instructors have been made available at the driving schools. 

Maruti Suzuki Driving School: Courses and fees

As per the 1989 Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), the minimum amount of time for driver training should be at least 21 days and 10 hours. There are three learner courses that are between 21 to 31 days in duration. Each school must conduct the courses in accordance with these timelines. MSDS offers various courses as per requirement, starting from beginner courses for those who have never been behind the wheel, to advanced levels where seasoned drivers can further enhance their driving skills. The advanced course allows drivers to practice with an instructor, thereby developing confidence to be able to drive alone eventually. 

Here is the Maruti Suzuki driving school fees and course structure list:

Apart from the courses listed in the table above, Maruti car driving school also offers a corporate course. This is a four-hour theory course for corporate drivers to ensure correct attitude and road culture. The course is followed by a one-hour test to assess the driver across 25 parameters, including their ability to manage cars, adherence to traffic rules and safety norms, etc.

Maruti Driving School training methods

The learners are given a joining kit that contains a progress card along with a textbook that highlights the various components, features, and functions of the car. It also contains a key to different types of road signage and their meaning. The courses span 21 days, with a total of 21 hours of learning.

This joining kit is used for communicating the scientifically designed curriculum. The courses consist of the following sections: 

Theoretical sessions

As part of the driving lessons, learners are taught about the basic anatomy of a car, the meaning of various symbols, and the uses of various features in a car, among others. It also covers safety regulations and actions to be taken in case of an emergency, which are vital for anyone behind the wheel. In this part of the course, that makes up for 7 hours out of the designated 21 hours, the learners also get to know what their roles and responsibilities are to ensure not only their own safety but also that of others. 

Simulator sessions

While a learner completes the theoretical sessions, there can still be a huge gap in their ability to take the wheel for practice, based on what and how much they have retained. Therefore, 2.5 hours of simulator sessions are held, which are a great medium for giving confidence to the learners and allowing them to know their strengths and weaknesses. MSDSs across the country are equipped with state-of-the-art simulator machines. These machines replicate a road (city, highway, etc,) to enable the learner to understand some basics such as how much to turn the steering wheel, how long before a turn to use the indicator, how to change gears, etc.

Practical sessions

After the simulator sessions, the learner is then taken for on-road driving lessons under the guidance of the instructor in a specially made car where the break and acceleration controls are also present on the passenger seat (where the instructor sits). These sessions, which account for another 10 hours of the length of the course, enable the learner to practice what they have learned through theory and simulation sessions and gain confidence on the road, while having the instructor ensures their safety and guides them at every step.

How to enrol for Maruti Driving School

There are three ways to enrol in a course at MSDS:

1. Online enquiry form: Visit the MSDS website to find the enquiry form where you can register for a particular course. The form comprises basic details, such as contact details of the trainee, city, the specific driving school location in the chosen city, gender, and age. 
2. Phone call: Additionally, one can call on 1800 102 1800, which is a 24x7 toll-free number, for enquiries about enrollment or other course related queries.
3. In-person visit: The MSDS website also lists the locations of schools in the specified area. The schools have a help desk where an individual can walk in to enrol in any course and start their training in the next batch where seats are available. You can also search for a driving school near me on Google and find the nearest MSDS.

Advantages of enrolling at Maruti Suzuki Driving School

Maruti Suzuki Driving School is one of the leading driving training institutions in the country, and there are many reasons for its credibility, some of which are listed below: 

1. Wide network: Maruti Driving School is present in more than 250 cities, with over 530 schools across these locations. This makes it one of the most accessible and well-known driver training institutes in India. 
2. Instructors: Professional instructors can help nervous or under confident drivers to relax, making the learning process easier. In a state of panic, it is nearly impossible to function optimally, and eliminating such situations is essential to develop a great driver. The instructors at MSDS are trained to keep the trainees calm, ensuring they grasp the concepts easily and learn to drive perfectly.
3. Course options: MSDS courses are designed for various levels of learners. While there are some who may need to learn from scratch, there are others who have basic training but aren’t proficient drivers and only need to enhance their skills. The five types of courses, namely Learner Standard Track Course, Learner Extended Track Course, Learner Detailed Track Course, Advance course, and Corporate course, allow learners to have the flexibility of choosing a course that suits their requirement. 
4. Quality: With high-quality, state-of-the-art equipment, vigorously designed courses, good infrastructure, and well-maintained training vehicles, MSDS ensures a great learning experience for all aspirants. 
5. Attention to road safety: The curriculum keeps road safety at the forefront and ensures the instructors highlight the importance of road safety, whether in theory, simulation, or practical sessions, at all times. 

Disadvantages of enrolling at Maruti Suzuki Driving School

Much like all other things in life, a popular driving school like MSDS has drawbacks, which make users pick local driving institutions over this one. Let's take a look at some of the drawbacks of enrolling at a MSDS:

1. Course fee: The MSDS course fee starts at ₹4,000 and goes up to ₹12,000, depending on the course and city. Other car driving school fees are much lower, making MSDS less attractive for those who seek a cheaper alternative. 
2. Vehicle choice: Since the institute is founded by Maruti Suzuki India Limited, the learners are left with only Maruti Suzuki cars to practice on. This limits the learners’ options for learning about other vehicles or brands. 
3. Rigid course structure: While the courses are segregated as per learning levels (beginner, advanced, and others), the fixed nature of the courses could make it difficult for people with tight schedules.
4. Timelines: While the courses deliver on the CMVS mandated timelines of 21 days minimum for training and minimum 10 driving hours, the learning pace varies for different people. The course timelines do not factor in the speed at which an aspirant can grasp the concepts.
5. Waiting periods: Availability of slots is another area of concern. Due to the high demand of MSDS, some people may have to wait to find an open slot for enrollment.

Other value-added services that Maruti Suzuki Driving School has to offer

MSDS offers a holistic experience for learners that does not end with the completion of the course. MSDS offers additional value-added services to all graduates at additional costs There are some added charges for these services. Let's take a closer look at some of these value-added services:

1. License assistance: Learners can opt for the license assistance service where they will be picked up and dropped off and get vehicle assistance for the RTO license test. It is important to note that license assistance is in accordance with RTO norms. 
2. Assistance on own car: This service enables a learner to extend their training and practice with an instructor on their own car and get a better understanding of their vehicle's features and manoeuvres. 
3. Training on upgraded car models: This service enables learners to opt to learn on upgraded, new Maruti Suzuki models such as the Dzire, Swift, Vitara Brezza, and Ertiga. However, this is subject to the availability of the model at the specific institution where the learner is taking their course.

Conclusion

MSDS is a great option for learners and experienced drivers to enhance their skills and become great drivers. From learning about cars and their basic functionalities, to enhancing road security knowledge like traffic and road signs, MSDS delivers an exceptional learning experience for all aspirants. Professional driving training ensures that the drivers are ready to take on any real world scenarios and drive through them with ease.