Driving instructors, experts object to new rules in issuance of DLs

Bengaluru, NT Bureau: Driving schools and experts have mixed responses to the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways major changes to ease the process of obtaining a driver’s license.

The new rules which will be effective from June 1, gives driving schools the authority to conduct driving tests. This means that individuals need not to visit the Road Transport Offices (RTOs) to obtain a license. Syed, an instructor from S G Palya said that the move needs to be relooked again.

“This will give way to corruption in issuing licenses. Instructors can hand out licenses to whoever they want, on a whim!,” he said.

While the rule prescribes that authorised private entities need to own at least an acre of land, Syed wondered if most of the schools here have the same.

“RTO Officers are more experienced and know the roads better than we do,” he said. Satish, another instructor from Tavarekere, said that the move to privatise issuance of DLs has been talked about for some years.

“The timings to learn theory and practical lessons needs to be changed. People prefer more hours on the road than in the classroom,” he added.

If new rules comes to effect, get ready to see more accidents, violations - Expert

Professor M N Sreehari, government advisor on traffic, transportation and infrastructure and mobility expert, felt that the privatisation of issuance of DLs is too early to be done.

“The system is not mature enough. In some countries, it is easier to get a degree than a driver’s license,” he said. Private driving schools issuing a certificate that can be issued at an RTO without test, Sreehari says, will open the gates for more violations.