Post driving-test track, number of applicants decreases

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, May 4

Following the inauguration of the Automated Driving Test Track (ADTT), the number of applicants for driving licences has drastically come down.

The District Transport Office is issuing a little over 10 licences daily which earlier used to be nearly 300.

The fall in number is being seen as a result of the coming up of the driving test track as the applicants have to now show their driving skills in front of experts to get a licence. The applicants have to undergo mandatory driving tests under the supervision of a Motor Vehicle Inspector before being issued driving licences.

The driving test is mandatory under the Motor Vehicles Act. However, so far, in the absence of a driving track, the applicants were getting driving licences without proving their skills.

The track would be used to test the driving skills of applicants for obtaining licences of two-wheelers and light-traffic vehicles. The track is equipped with CCTV cameras, sensors and traffic signals. Meanwhile, the local transport office has also collaborated with the leading automobile company, Maruti, to offer training to drive four-wheelers to interested persons on its driving track. However, learning in the driving school has not been made mandatory.

Various services have been made available under one roof for the convenience of applicants. For instance, a doctor would be available to conduct medical tests of the applicants at the ADTT. The applicants would be saved unnecessary trouble because they would undergo the driving test and all other formalities under the same roof. Once their driving skills are tested, they get their licences at the same place.