Qualification threshold for driving licence applicants may be made tougher

The government has proposed stricter requirements for driving licence applicants, including raising the pass mark for a safe-driving tutorial assessment to 75% from the existing 60%, while waiving charges for certain online services accessed through Aadhaar authentication, news agency PTI reported on October 22.

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) has outlined these changes in draft amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules.

The proposals are intended to strengthen the assessment process for driving licence applicants, a senior official told the news agency.

The draft stipulates that the safe-driving tutorial must last at least 30 minutes. It also seeks to make the process of updating personal details on driving licences more transparent and time-bound.

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Under the proposed rules, licensing authorities would have to decide within 15 days whether to approve applications seeking changes to licence particulars, such as the holder's name or address. Any rejection would have to be accompanied by reasons.

The ministry has also proposed eliminating fees for changes to personal details, including name and address.

The draft lays down the documents that applicants may submit to establish their identity, age and residential address. These include Aadhaar, passports, voter identity cards, e-ration cards and birth certificates, among other documents.

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It further proposes that all driving licences issued or renewed by licensing authorities be provided in laminated or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) card format under Form 7.

MoRTH has invited objections and suggestions from stakeholders on the proposed amendments. Responses must be submitted within 30 days of the draft notification's publication.