Fall In Turnout For Final Test As Driving Licence Norms Become Tougher In Odisha

Bhubaneswar: Many learner licence (LL)  holders are not turning up for the final test. The reason. The final test for obtaining a driving licence has been made tougher. According to Commerce and Transport Department sources, the Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) issued about 11.2 lakh learner’s licence in the last six months and three lakh applications are pending.

While 3.5 lakh driving licences were issued during the period, about 2.7 lakh applications are pending. 

Those who have an LL but do not turn up for the final test within six months, will have to apply for a fresh one again, sources said. 

Earlier, RTOs conducted the tests using driving simulators and even allowed the applicants to use four-wheelers with dual controls. In some cases, the applicants used to even appear for tests in driving training institute vehicles and taking the assistance of their trainers.

As the state government decided to follow the norms strictly after giving sufficient time to the licence aspirants to obtain the document, the Department of Commerce and Transport instructed RTOs across the state not to allow driving simulators or four-wheelers with dual controls during tests for a formal driving licence (DL).

In November 2019, the state government had relaxed enforcement of Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act by three more months in view of the rush at regional transport offices and pollution testing control centres. 

Meanwhile, RTO Cuttack has installed two touchscreen computers at its licencing facilitation centre in CDA Sector-6 for mock test of LL applicants. They can try a mock test before appearing for the main LL test.

“If we receive a positive response, such systems will be installed at all the test centres in the state. We will replace computers with hand-held pointing devices with touchscreen,” said a senior official.

Applicants have been asked to arrive 45 minutes before their slot times. “Applicants can fill up the form, upload the required documents, pay the fee and book the slot online. They can directly visit the test centre for verification of their documents and biometrics to appear for the test,” said an official.