The Centre has proposed making several driving-licence services free and tightening the requirements for obtaining a learner’s licence, as part of a wider overhaul of the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989. A draft notification published by the Union road transport and highways ministry late on Wednesday. proposes raising the pass mark for the safe-driving tutorial assessment from 60% to 75%, while making the tutorial at least 30 minutes long.
The ministry has proposed a revised list of documents for establishing an applicant’s address, age and identity. Address proof could include Aadhaar, voter identity card, passport, e-ration card, government-issued service photo identity card, pensioner or freedom fighter identity card, or a pension payment order. Electricity and household gas bills would be accepted if they were not more than three months old. Foreign applicants would also have to provide proof of their legal presence in India. For age or date-of-birth proof, the proposed list includes a passport, a marksheet or certificate issued by a recognised educational institution showing the date of birth, a birth certificate, and specified government-issued service or pension documents. Aadhaar, a valid Indian passport, an e-ration card, specified service or pension documents, and a permanent account number (PAN) would be accepted as identity proof. “The proposed reforms are a welcome step towards making driving licence services more accessible, transparent and citizen-friendly. “A higher pass mark alone is insufficient unless the assessment meaningfully evaluates understanding of traffic rules, hazard perception, vulnerable road users and safe driving behaviour. Equally important is ensuring that practical driving tests are rigorous, objective and free from human discretion or manipulation.
Raising the pass threshold for the safe-driving assessment from 60% to 75% is also a positive move, as driving must be treated as a responsibility that requires demonstrable knowledge of road safety, not merely a procedural entitlement,” Piyush Tewari, Founder & CEO, SaveLIFE Foundation said.
However, he said the real test of these reforms will be whether they produce safer drivers on our roads. He said India must move towards a licensing system where obtaining a driving licence is convenient for those who are competent, but difficult for those who are not. “Ease of access must never come at the cost of road safety,” Tewari said.
