Rajya Sabha
The Road Safety Forum had suggested about uniform testing and grant of driving licenses all over the country. This Ministry has already developed a standardized software to facilitate issuance of smart card based Driving Licenses and Registration Certificates and given free of cost to all State Governments/UT Administration. The Proforma for issuance of license in Smart Card mode has already been prescribed by the Central Government and is applicable uniformly throughout the country. However, implementation of various provisions of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Rules framed thereunder i.e. Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 is the responsibility of the concerned State Government. The driving skill of the applicant seeking driving license is tested either by the Licensing Authorities or the applicant has to obtain a driving certificate (for non-transport vehicles) from any institution recognised in this behalf by the State Government.
The issuance of driving license is already decentralized and the driving licenses are issued by concerned State Governments through RTOs. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 further empowers State Governments to make rules for appointment, jurisdiction, control and functions of the Licencing Authorities. However, the State Governments can recognise certain institutions to conduct the test of competence and issue driving certificates which enables the licensing authorities to issue driving licence. Any complaint regarding corruption at the testing centres is to be looked into by the concerned State Government.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Shri K.H. Muniyappa in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
VBA/BS
(Release ID :27439)