Now You Can Get A Driving License Without RTO, Here’s How

A new announcement for driving training centres has been published by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. According to the Ministry's new rules, you can now acquire a driving permit without taking a driving test at a Regional Transport Office (RTO). Individuals will get smooth and strong training at these training centres, which will be outfitted with simulators and a specialized driving test track, according to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). For new drivers, however, they must complete training at any recognised driver training centre to fulfil the criteria. Candidates who complete the training will be excused from taking the driving test when applying for a driving licence. The new rules will take effect on July 1, 2021.

According to the ministry, these centres will also be authorised to give industry-specific specialised training. The scarcity of qualified drivers is among the biggest challenges in India's transportation sector, and a growing number of road accidents arise owing to a dearth of awareness of driving laws. The Ministry's new regulation will enable private driving training centres that have been accredited by either the state highway authority or the central government to operate. According to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways' announcement, certification will be provided to training centres that satisfy the space, driving track, IT, and biometric system requirements, as well as to conduct the training according to the authorized curriculum.

Accreditation for certified driver training centres is given for a term of five years and can be renewed. Furthermore, two-wheeler, three-wheeler, and light motor vehicle training centres should have at least 1 acre of land property. According to the Ministry, heavy vehicle facilities should have at least two acres of land property. The timeframe of a light motor vehicle driving course in authorised driver training centres is 29 hours over a maximum of four weeks from the date of the initiation, according to the announcement, with theoretical and practical sections. The trainees will spend 21 hours in the practical part learning the fundamentals of driving.

The theory portion of the training takes about 8 hours. According to the proposed legislation, the driving instructor must have completed class 12 and have a minimum of 5 years of driving experience. In approved driver training centres, the timeframe of a medium and heavy motor vehicle driving course is 38 hours for six weeks. According to the announcement, they will be separated into two sections: theory and practical.