New SOP For Driving Licence Tests In Maharashtra: RTO Officials Under Scrutiny If Failure Rate Falls Below 10%
New SOP For Driving Licence Tests In Maharashtra: RTO Officials Under Scrutiny If Failure Rate Falls Below 10%
State transport department tightens rules, mandates CCTV, uniform testing standards to curb irregularities and improve road safety
Maharashtra has introduced a strict new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for driving licence tests across the state, aimed at tightening oversight of Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) and ensuring uniform, transparent testing standards. Under the new rules, RTO officials will face scrutiny and possible investigation if the failure rate in driving tests at their centres falls below 10 percent.
The move comes amid growing concerns over road safety, allegations of irregularities in licence issuance, and wide variations in pass–fail rates across different RTOs. The state transport department has made it clear that unusually low failure rates will now be treated as a red flag, prompting inquiries into whether tests are being conducted properly.
According to the SOP, all RTOs must strictly follow a standardised driving test procedure. Tests will now be conducted under uniform guidelines, leaving little room for discretion or deviation by officials. The department has emphasised that the objective is not to increase failure rates arbitrarily, but to ensure that only genuinely competent drivers are granted licences.
One of the key provisions of the new SOP is the mandatory installation and use of CCTV cameras at driving test tracks. These cameras must cover the entire test area and record every stage of the driving test. The footage will be used for monitoring, verification, and audits, making it harder for any manipulation or malpractice to go unnoticed. In rural or open test tracks where CCTV coverage has traditionally been a challenge, RTOs have been instructed to make necessary infrastructure arrangements without delay.
The SOP also makes it compulsory for driving test slots to be allotted through an online appointment system. This measure is intended to eliminate manual interference, reduce the scope for favouritism, and ensure that candidates are tested strictly as per their scheduled slots. Officials have been warned against bypassing the system or accommodating candidates outside the prescribed process.
The transport department has linked the new rules directly to road safety data. Maharashtra records a high number of road accidents every year, many of which are attributed to poor driving skills and lack of adequate training. Officials noted that issuing licences to unfit drivers not only endangers their own lives but also poses a serious risk to other road users.
If an RTO consistently reports a failure rate of less than 10 percent, the concerned officials may be investigated to determine whether the tests are being diluted or conducted in violation of norms. Such investigations could lead to departmental action if lapses are found. At the same time, the department has clarified that the SOP is meant to bring accountability, not to harass officials who are genuinely following the rules.
Senior transport officials have stated that the SOP is part of a broader effort to reform the driving licence system, make it more transparent, and restore public confidence. By ensuring strict monitoring, standardised testing, and accountability at every level, the state hopes to improve driving standards and reduce accidents over time.
The new SOP has already come into force and will be implemented across all RTOs in Maharashtra. The transport department has indicated that it will closely monitor compliance and may introduce further reforms based on feedback and audit findings in the coming months.
