Underage driving: Steep hike in applications for learning licence at RTO
PK Jaiswar
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, August 11
After the Punjab Police decided to tighten the noose around underage drivers, the number of applications for obtaining learning licence at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) has increased manifold.
The RTO authorities said in August alone, over 3,100 applicants had submitted applications with the department for the learning licence while over 7,200 applications were received in July which was much higher than the previous months.
Arshdeep Singh, secretary, RTO, confirmed that there had been a substantial increase in the applications for the learning licence. He said the department had initiated the process to clear files after completing the necessary formalities.
The Punjab Police had recently extended the deadline for enforcing stringent rules of the Motor Vehicles Act regarding underage driving by August 20. Under the rules, parents of underage children allowing their kids to drive two or four-wheelers would be fined Rs 25,000 or they could face jail term of three years.
Earlier, the rules were to be implemented on August 1, but following requests by parents the date was extended by 20 days. The RTO authorities said earlier on an average, they used to receive 140 applications for the learning licence every day. They said this figure had now jumped to around 520 applications per day.
“From January to June this year, 4,600 applications have been received on an average. In July the number increased to just over 7,200 while in August it is likely to surpass this figure as in the first six days of this month 3,100 applications have already been received for learning licence,” said an official at the RTO wishing not to be named.
Last month, around 5,600 applications for the learning licence were approved by the RTO while in August 1,600 applicant got their learning licence.
