Seven Driving Schools From Maharashtra To Undergo Final Tests For RTO Licence

Pune: In a significant development, the state government has decided to allow seven driving schools to conduct final driving tests and provide certificates, enabling regional transport offices (RTOs) to issue driving licences without conducting their own tests. However, Pune city is not included in this list.

State transport commissioner Vivek Bhimanwar told a news agency that currently, three schools in Beed, Nagpur, and Latur have been given the green light. “They have been instructed to develop facilities as per the stipulated guidelines of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways,” Bhimanwar said.

“Driving schools can seek and get approval from the Central Institute of Road Transport once their infrastructure is ready, and start the service thereafter. The schools will take the final driving test of candidates, who will be given certificates upon passing. On its basis, RTOs will issue driving licences without taking any tests,” the senior official added.

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced that starting June 1, driving institutes with proper infrastructure would be allowed to conduct final driving tests. Previously, applicants learned driving skills at schools and then applied for a slot with the RTO, where the final test was taken in the presence of an RTO inspector on a track. Successful applicants received their licences via post.

An RTO official stated, “In addition to the three places announced, the state will identify four more driving schools and more later. We are in touch with schools and monitoring their attempts to develop infrastructure.”

Despite this initiative, Pune is unlikely to benefit immediately. “There is no driving institute with proper facilities and no one has even proposed to set it up,” Pune’s regional transport officer told a news agency.

He emphasized the requirements for schools to qualify. “At least, they should have one to two acres of land where a test track may be created. There needs to be classrooms and trainers with proper educational qualifications. Candidates must be trained for a full month before they take the test. RTO will provide all required help if any city driving institute volunteers,” Bhor said.

Pune hosts 349 driving schools, but the RTO recently cancelled the licences of 31 due to non-compliance.