Soon, learn driving at Raipur Kalan centre, skip licence test in Chandigarh

The UT Transport Department is going to set up a regional driving training centre at Raipur Kalan.

The centre, which will come up with the assistance of the Ministry of Highways and Transport, will be a regional hub for training of driving instructors, offering refresher courses, help in assessing aspiring drivers using innovative driving test system, arrange road safety awareness camps for school bus drivers and students, carry out accident investigations and suggest measures to prevent mishaps.

The department has started the process to establish the centre on four acres at Raipur Kalan. Expression of interest has been invited for establishment and management of the centre, which should reach the department by February 27.

The centre will conduct training course for instructors and light motor vehicle and heavy motor vehicle drivers.

After a month-long training at the centre, people will no longer have to appear for a test to get a driving licence. The officials said an applicant would have to undergo a 29-hour course spread over four weeks, which would include 8-hour theory and 21-hour practical training. A minimum 85% attendance would be required to complete the course. After clearing all theory papers and motor vehicle inspector’s test, a proficiency test certificate would be issued to the applicant which would be treated equivalent to the test being carried out at the Children’s Traffic Park in Sector 23.

All these modalities were being worked out, said the officials.