Third time lucky: hearing-impaired youth secures driving licence after long ordeal

Tardeo RTO issues document after regional commissioner sends missive to officers

Ajinkya Tatke, an 18-year-old with a hearing impairment, was in for a surprise when he visited the Tardeo Regional Transport Office on October 16.

The authorities handed him a learners’ driving licence without a fuss. This was after they had denied him the document twice.

‘Certify impairment’

Rajendra Tatke, Ajinkya’s father, says: “This was his third attempt. The first time, he was sent back by RTO officials in March although the rules permitted issuing a driving licence to hearing-impaired persons. The officials asked him to submit a letter from the Ali Yavur Jung Institute certifying he had a hearing impairment and specifically asking the RTO to issue a driving licence.”

In August, Ajinkya visited the RTO again. This time, he was armed with the ‘audio-gram’, which certified that both his ears had severe to profound impairment. However, RTO officials pointed out that the certificate did not specify that he should be issued a driving licence, and sent him home.

On October 10, Prasad Salvi, president of the Bharatiya Divyang Sena, led a delegation to the office of regional RTO commissioner Pravin Gedam. Mr. Salvi narrated the ordeal hearing-impaired persons underwent to secure a driving licence.

Mr. Salvi pointed out that the Government Resolution (No. 13867) had given the go-ahead to issue licences to the hearing-impaired after the Bombay High Court passed an order on the matter on January 5. The Union Road Transport and National Highway Authority then issued an advisory to all State governments along with a report by the All Indian Institute of Medical Sciences.

Sensitising officials

Mr. Salvi said, “We appreciate the support provided by Gadkari ji [Union Minister for Transport and Shipping Nitin Gadkari] to help the hearing-impaired gain a driving licence. In most western countries, such subjects are more sensitively understood. We are happy that securing a licence has become a reality for the hearing-impaired.”

Mr. Tatke said, “By the time my son called on the RTO on October 16, Mr. Gedam had issued a letter to officials sensitising them to the rules. They immediately issued my son his licence. My son and I are happy.”

The Government Resolution states, “Driving is primarily a visual function with little inputs from hearing. Many developed countries give hearing-impaired people the privilege of being able to drive. It is well-recognised that the loss of hearing does not per se impact the ability to drive. As an added precaution, a sign should be displayed on the car indicating the driver has impaired hearing.”

However, Mr. Salvi said that the Government Resolution did not make it incumbent upon the hearing-impaired driver to display the sign. He said, “We are persuading authorities to rectify this anomaly.”