Despite driving for more than 25 years and covering over a million kilometres in that time, Dubai-based Zainudeen PB has never received a single traffic fine.
“In the beginning, it was just three of us,” he said. “My brother, me and a driver. I would drive hundreds of kilometres every day to meet customers and convince them to buy from us. Those were the days of hustling.”
He received his driver's licence in 1997 on his third try. "It took 1.5 years because in those days, you had to wait months to get a date for a test," he said.
Though the company has grown into a corporation that employees 3,300 people, one thing remains unchanged: Zainudeen’s passion and love for driving.
“I drive around 3,500km every month,” he said. “We have processing units in every emirate and about eight all over Dubai. I drive to each one of them at least a couple of times a month. I know I don’t need to personally visit each of them, but I like to lead by example.”
Speaking about his driving record of zero fines, Zainudeen said: "I am just a stickler for the rules," he said. "Whenever I have to get to a meeting, I always like to be early. I never exceed the speed limits and whenever I am in traffic, I never change lanes unnecessarily."
He added: "The most difficult part is the parking. I used to live and work around the Naif and Abu Hail areas. Finding a parking there is like winning the lottery. There were days when I had to go for a meeting, but I couldn’t attend it because I couldn’t find parking.”
Zainudeen's first car in Dubai was the Nissan Bluebird. And though he drives a Mercedes Maybach today, he says his driving style remains unchanged.