Driving Licensing system scenario in India

What does the driving license mean under MV Act 1988  Definition : Driver license means the license issued by the competent authority under Chapter II authorizing the person specified therein to drive, otherwise than a learner, a motor vehicle or of any specified class or description. ( driver license is not issued to identity or residence proof of an individual)

Driving license procurement procedure  Learner License : This is issued up to the validity of six months after preliminary test. The applicant after its possession can drive vehicle under supervision of regular driving license.  Driver License : It is issued after vehicle driving test and learning of driving at least 30 days of issue date of learner license.

Learner license test  The applicant is put to an objective test consisting of traffic signs/ signals and road regulations, road accident duties and documentation.  The evaluation and test procedure is manual,and not full proof and full of manipulation. Alluring, influence, corrupt practice, discretion are found to be the part of the system.

Driving test  Driving test requires the applicant to drive the vehicle under rule 15 of CMVR.  As a fact the driving test does not follow the control parameters and is purely based upon the motor vehicle inspector discretion. The genuine driving tests are carried out not more than 10%.

Reasons for sham tests  No driving test tracks at RTOs  One inspectors conducts about 100~200 tests within three hours in big RTOs.  Applicants do not bring vehicles.  A large number of approaches comes to pass the applicants without driving tests.  The high profile citizen/ friends of senior burocrates feels to be offended if they are asked for tests.

Reasons for sham tests  Very high work pressure in driving testing lack of inspectors at various RTOs.  Licensing is now more of obliging,gifting gesture and inspectors do not have infrastructure to test on vehicle.  High greed of inspectors.  Lack of supervision of seniors over quality tests.  Motor driving training schools act more of touting business.  70% inspectors do not posses the requisite qualification and competence.  40% driving license are applied for residence or identity proof and public do not like to be tested.  Public feels to be honored if they are exempted from test.

Consequences of lax driving testing  Increased crime involving vehicles.  Road raging.  Very high accidents.  No knowledge of road regulations and road safety issues.  Increased traffic offences.  Lack of discipline and civic sense.  Disrespect to law, rules and regulation in every sphere of the society.

Remedies learner license test  Incorporation of technology in driving training and evaluation.  Shift the learner test evaluation to the computerized mechanism.  Mock tests be available at internet, touch screen,schools / college campus / public places etc.  Road safety training materials be made available abundantly at low costs with periodic up dation.  Infrastructure for tests conduction be enhanced at RTOs.  System be outsourced and become self regulatory.

Remedies driving test  Video recording of rigorous driving test be conducted 100% of the applicants.  No exemption or relaxation be permitted in quality of driving skill evaluation.  Use of simulators be incorporated in driving skill evaluation which can maintain the data base of the applicant evaluation result.  The optical memory of smart cards be encrypted of the video of the driving test of the applicant.  The electronic equipments maintenance and maintenance be outsourced.  The outsourced organization be selected only on merits not on influence and strict and constant vigil be kept along with audit at prescribed check list involving next level of supervision.

Benefits of simulators tests  High throughput in driving test.  Virtual accident possible for sharp evaluation of skill.  Conditions like hill, highways, night, high traffic,rain, overloading, drunken,slippery road etc. to be created which could not be possible during in normal driving tests.  Huge cost saving as land, infrastructure not required.  Digital test report and database possible to be maintained at RTOs.  Compliance of Rule 15 possible to a larger extent.  Low cost solution and very high quality testing.  Outsourcing of testing possible under online video surveillance and e- reporting. Number of test centers are possible located in near their residence.

Benefits of simulators  Up gradation in technology gradually will create more stringent testing possible..  Uniform test procedure possible.  Unbiased, corruption free, influence free testing.  Transport vehicle driving test should have practical as well as simulator test be done.  For cancellation of driving license the skill testing is possible.  Alternate authority under audit vigil can be appointed. Public participation and investment will make public friendly test. Various companies will also work together for up gradation of quality.  For the results having lesser scale may be referred to vehicle tests.

Thanking You Anil Chhikara, MLO, Vasant Vihar