In India, the process of obtaining a driver's licence is extensive and requires the applicant to visit several authorities and fill out multiple papers. The lengthy and complicated procedure of obtaining a driver's licence also makes it easier for unethical practices to flourish, which eventually has an impact on India's road safety. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways in India made significant regulatory adjustments to address these shortcomings, which will greatly streamline the application procedure for a driver's licence. The new rules for obtaining a driving licence will be effective from June 1. Read on to learn more.
Driving Tests at Private Driving Schools
As per the new regulations, applicants are no longer required to undergo a driving test at the Regional Transport Office (RTO). Instead, authorised private driving schools can conduct the driving exam. After passing the test at these schools, the applicant will obtain a certificate that they can use to apply for a driver's licence without having to take an additional exam at the RTO. The government has set new criteria to ensure that private driving schools maintain their credibility while also providing high-quality training and extensive preparation for new drivers. To allow private players to administer the driving test, the Centre will give certifications to them. The applicant must, however, appear for the driving test at an RTO if they do not have a certificate from an approved school.
Stricter Penalties
Driving without a valid licence now carries harsher penalties, with fines ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000. Moreover, if a minor (under the age of 18) is found driving, their parents may face legal action and a hefty fine of Rs 25,000. The minor will not be able to obtain a licence until the age of 25, and the vehicle's registration certificate will also be revoked.
Eco-friendly Initiatives
The Ministry intends to gradually phase out 9,000 outdated government vehicles and raise emission standards for other vehicles. These initiatives are part of an overall strategy to encourage the use of electric vehicles (EVs) and reduce traffic pollution.
Earlier this month, the government unveiled a vehicle scrappage policy that allows customers who buy a new personal vehicle after scrapping an old one to receive a 25 per cent discount on the vehicle price or road tax, with commercial vehicles receiving a 15 per cent discount. Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Punjab, and Kerala are among the states that have announced rebates as per the policy.
Easier Documentation Process
By reducing the amount of paperwork required, the ministry has made the process of getting a new licence easier. There will be fewer in-person visits to RTOs because the paperwork and documentation needed will differ depending on whether you are applying for a two- or four-wheeler licence.
The procedure for applying for a driver's licence is mostly the same; people can apply online via the website of the road transport ministry. They can also apply manually by visiting the respective RTOs.
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Revised Licence Fees
As per the latest guidelines, acquiring a learner's licence (Form 3) will cost you Rs 150, plus an extra Rs 50 for either the learner's licence exam or a retest. If you need to retake the driving test, there will be a fee of Rs 300. Additionally, the cost of obtaining an International Driving Permit will be significantly higher at Rs 1,000. Adding another vehicle class to a licence will cost Rs 500.
The cost of approving or renewing an authorisation for drivers of hazardous goods vehicles is Rs 200. Similarly, the renewal charge for a standard driving licence is Rs 200. However, if the licence is renewed after the grace period, the fee increases to Rs 300 plus an additional Rs 1000 each year, or part thereof, from the date the grace period expires.
Issuing or renewing licences without giving training will result in a substantial penalty of Rs 5,000 for driving instruction schools. This fine also applies to getting duplicate licences from these schools. There is a Rs 500 charge for filling an appeal against licencing authority orders under rule 29. A cost of Rs 200 will be charged for any changes made to a driver's licence address or other information.
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