Visits to regional transport offices (RTOs) for driving licence and vehicle registration could soon be a thing of the past, as the government is looking to move the process online.
For instance, an online theory test will be conducted for procuring a learner’s licence. The government may also digitise renewal applications for driving licences and requests for change of address and other details.
“We want to make sure that people do not go to RTOs for obtaining various permits. We want to make the process online. The driving school principals can help educate candidates on road safety norms and the learners’ licence test could be taken online and printed as well,” a senior Road Transport and Highways Ministry official told The Hindu .
Steeper penaltiesWhile it aims to reduce the person-to-person interface between citizens and transport officials, the government is simultaneously pursuing steeper penalties for traffic violations, particularly those related to drunken driving, juveniles on the wheel, over-speeding and not wearing helmets or seat belts.
These proposals will be discussed by a group of State Transport Ministers constituted to look into road transport issues which will meet on Friday. Moreover, registration of both commercial and private vehicles may soon be possible at the dealer’s point. The government will issue standardised norms for number plates across the country.
Number platesUnder the proposed system, the automobile dealer will have access to Vahan, a centralised database of the Transport department. The dealer will help complete the formalities to obtain number plates for vehicles.
The government will also do away with dress code for commercial drivers and allow third-party accidental insurance cover for public transport drivers of buses, autos and taxis.
