Driving Tests Not Mandatory at Indian RTOs; All Details Here

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in India has come up with new rules to acquire an Indian driving license. Unlike before, these new rules will decrease the long queues at RTOs, as far as the extensive paperwork is concerned. 

The Ministry is also confident that these new laws will decrease unethical practices in acquiring a driving license, thereby impacting India’s road safety. The proposed laws will come into effect from June 1, 2024.

So, read on to learn more. 

Driving Exams at Authorised Private Driving Schools

Unlike before, the new rules won’t make the applicants undergo a driving test at the Regional Transport Office (RTO). Instead, they can visit the authorised private driving school for the test, and once the applicant has passed the test, the certificate will be given. No additional exam will be required at the RTO, either. 

Additionally, the new laws will ensure that private driving schools maintain credibility by providing high-quality and extensive training to produce well-trained drivers. 

However, it is worth noting that the applicants with no legitimate certificate from an authorised private driving school will have to appear for the driving test at their nearest RTO. 

Penalties 

If a minor (under 18) is caught driving, their parents/guardians may face legal proceedings and a hefty fine of Rs 25,000. More so, the juvenile won’t be able to apply for /acquire a driving license until the age of 25, plus the vehicle’s registration will also be revoked. 

In addition, driving without a licence now carries heftier fines, ranging from Rs 1000 to Rs 2000. 

Environment-Friendly Initiatives

The concerned Indian Ministry is also planning to phase out 9000 aged vehicles from the government fleet so that the government also meets emission standards. This step is a part of their strategy to shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), which will also reduce pollution. 

Apart from that, the Indian government also proposed a promising policy regarding vehicle scrapping. Several Indian states like Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, and Punjab have already declared the rebates, related to the policy. 

This vehicle scrapping policy will benefit the customers by receiving a 25% discount on a new passenger vehicle’s price or road tax after scrapping the old one. Similarly, commercial vehicles will receive a 15% discount on the vehicle’s price or road tax.

Better Documentation Process 

As mentioned earlier, the new laws will decrease the driving licence paperwork unlike before plus, it will reduce the in-person visits at the RTO. 

However, it is worth mentioning that the documentation process may differ from case to case and the type of vehicle- passenger (two-and four-wheelers) and commercial vehicles. 

Applying for a driver’s license is the same; applicants can apply online via the Parivahan Sewa website or visit the nearest RTO.