Long wait for DL adds to applicants’ woes

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, April 25

The wait for residents, who want driving licence (DL) and registration certificate (RC) copies of their vehicles, is getting longer with each passing day. “We have to make several rounds of the centre as there is no procedure through which we can information about when driving licence will be delivered to us,” said several applicants, who were waiting for their driving licence at the Automated Driving Test Track, Online Licence and Training Centre.

Ashwini, a resident of Haibowal, who had taken the test for driving licence at the centre on February 26 was told to collect it after a month.

Despite having made three rounds of the centre he had to turn back disappointed and was asked to come next week.   “Now, I hope that I will get my driving licence next time,” he said while standing in the queue at the centre. 

Besides inordinate delay in receiving licence, there is no systematic process for even booking a test at the centre. 

 “I took the test on March 26 and was told to come after 15 days to collect my licence. On visiting the licencing branch after fortnight I was asked to come next time,” said Gurdev Singh, a resident of Lalton Kalan. 

Another resident of Model Town Harish is also disappointed with the way licencing branch is functioning. “A handful of people, who have to take the driving test, are enlisted at the track. The rest of applicants are told to go back. I made two rounds of the centre, but had to return without giving test. A few persons, who come earlier, are enlisted for the test in a day. That is unfair,” he said.

In fact, the District Transport Department had launched iDTO mobile application around two years ago through which it was possible to book the test and also get driving license information, but it is no longer being used. Though the app exists on mobile application store, but cannot be used for booking driving test at the automated centre. 

While denying harassment to residents, Neelam, a staff member at the Automated Driving Test Track Online Licence and Training Centre said, “An SMS is sent beforehand to applicant, which gives information about the date on driving licence or RC can be collected from the centre.”