Here’s an opportunity for autorickshaw drivers who could not obtain licence due to non-availability of eighth class pass certificate. The Transport Department has decided to accept a self-declaration and issue the licence, provided he/she meets other norms.
The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) launched a special drive last week and issued licences to 1,100 auto drivers in the district. One more drive is being conducted from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on February 18.
The applicant should be already holding a personal driving licence under non-transport category for at least one year and should be 20 years of age as per the regulations in force for the issue of commercial driving licence. Those fulfilling these norms can meet the RTA officials at the Madhavadhara office in VUDA Colony along with a passport-size photograph and Aadhar card.
The difficulties in obtaining the eighth class pass certificate from schools in which they had studied long ago and loss of certificates had made many auto drivers ply their vehicles without licence. They also get involved in accidents due to lack of road safety awareness. When a person without a licence is involved in an accident, insurance companies will not reimburse any claim.
More deaths from auto accidents
“Once a driver obtains a valid licence, he would get to know some of the safety rules. He will also behave more responsibly as his licence would be seized if he indulges in rash or negligent driving. There are around 50,000 autos in the district and last year 700 people lost their lives in 160 autorickshaw accidents as against 200 fatalities in two-wheeler accidents in the district,” Deputy Transport Commissioner S. Venkateswara Rao told The Hindu on Wednesday.
Maximum speed
“Autorickshaw, being a three-wheeler, tends to lose balance easily. A small accident can also lead to loss of human lives. Autos should run at a maximum speed of 30 km/hr, they should carry limited [number of] passengers but more often drivers do not abide by rules due to their lack of road safety awareness. They would have learnt some of the safety rules had they obtained licence,” said Mr. Venkateswara Rao.
Help desk
The applicants would be given the forms and the staff at the help desk would assist them in filling them. Anyone coming through brokers would not be allowed.
“We are also conducting a one-hour training class on road safety and passenger-friendly behaviour, before issuing the learner’s licence,” he added.
