Obtaining a driving license in India is a cumbersome process as the applicant must fill out various forms and approach multiple authorities. The bureaucratic complexities of the process of obtaining a driving license also increase the scope of corrupt practices in the system, which ultimately affects road safety in India.
To tackle such deficiencies, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has introduced important changes in Indian regulations, which will greatly simplify the process of obtaining a driving license.
Key changes in the rules from June 1
- Applicants will have the option of taking the driving test at the nearest center of their choice instead of the current practice of taking the test at the respective Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). The government will issue certificates to private players authorizing them to conduct the driving test.
- Penalties for driving a car without a valid license are now stricter, with fines ranging between INR 1,000 to INR 2,000. Furthermore, if a minor is caught driving a vehicle, action can be taken against her parents and a heavy fine of INR 25,000 will be imposed. The vehicle registration certificate will also be cancelled.
- The documents required for obtaining a driving license has also been simplified with specific requirements. This means that the Ministry will inform applicants in advance of the specific documents required for the type of license they are looking to obtain.
- To make India's roads more environmentally sustainable, the ministry is looking at ways to phase out 9,000 old government vehicles and improve emissions standards of others.
- The application process for a driver's license remains the same. Applicants can submit their applications online by visiting the official website of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways: https://parivahan.gov.in. However, they can also visit their regional search offices to submit an application through a manual process.
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