A slew of measures, including conducting an exclusive learners driving test, have been announced by Motor Vehicles Department to issue driving licence to the differently abled in the State from April 1.
The State Transport Commissioner, K. Padmakumar, while issuing fresh norms and guidelines to provide driving licence hassle-free to differently abled, has asked the licensing authority to give priority to issue licence if the differently abled is found to be fit enough to drive a motor vehicle.
While conducting learner’s test, the officials have been asked to organise it on the ground floor of the RTO/Sub-RTO building or other places easily accessible to the differently abled if there is no lift in the MVD office.
In the case of individuals with monocular vision, the vision of the other eye should be 6/12 or better if they want to get driving licence for driving non-commercial motor cars and motorcycles. Six months should be provided for undergoing the test if the vision of one eye or one of the eyes is lost.
Approved signage should be affixed in the motor vehicle if the driver is hearing impaired. The driving test for persons with hearing disability should be held on the same lines of normal applicants.
The differently abled had been asked to bring their own vehicle having retrofit invalid carriage/automatic clutch/automatic gear suitable to their physique. The disability certificate should be produced from opthalmologist, ENT specialist, ortho surgeon of the government hospital.
The State Transport Commissioner said a team comprising Joint Regional Transport Officer and another Motor Vehicle Inspector could take a call on the issuance of driving licence if the officer concerned could not independently take a decision.
If there are defects, the differently abled should be asked to report for test after 14 days after training. Such applicants will be given priority in the tests. If there are more applicants, a camp will be held for them.
The State Transport Commissioner asked the RTO and Sub-RTO to install boards detailing the norms and guidelines in the offices and to provide a copy of it to them while issuing the driving licence.
