Regarding the latest changes on the driving license issuance, the government has ensured that the Accredited Driver Training Centres (ADTC) as well as the driving schools shall be able to issue a driving license to the licensee.
Government Clarification on Driving License Issuance and Accredited Driver Training Centers
However, a clarification has been received by the government in one matter, which is the possibility to get a license without driving test.
A clarification has been issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways issued a clarification regarding certificates issued through Accredited Driver Training Centers (ADTC) and driving schools.
As per the reports, the ministry clarified that there will be no change in the existing provisions from June 1.
In a release, the Ministry of Road Transport said that, “In relation to the news being circulated in some sections of the media, it is clarified that Rules 31B to 31J, which prescribe provisions regarding Accredited Driver Training Centers (ADTC), were inserted in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989 through GSR 394 (E) dated 07.06.2021, are applicable from 01.07.2021 and no changes have been made from 01.06.2024.”
This means that the said rules are effective from July 1, 2021, and remain unchanged from June 1, 2024. Specifically, the rules in question outline the standards and procedures for accrediting driver training centres, which aims to improve the quality of driver education and safety on the roads.
Clarity on Driving License Issuance – Importance of Driving Tests and Licensing Authority
The ministry further reiterated that obtaining a certificate on completion of the course from accredited driver training centres (Form 5B) or other driving schools (Form 5) does not exempt the learner from taking the driving test.
The Motor Vehicles (MV) Act, 1988, was amended for its Section 12 which entailed the licensing and regulation of schools or establishments for imparting instruction in driving of motor vehicles.
In the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 amends were made and there was insertion of subsections (5) and (6) for schools or establishments recognised by a body notified by the Central Government.
Under the Rule 14 of the CMVR, 1989, the application for a driving licence must be accompanied by Form 5 or Form 5B, as applicable.
Despite the exemption from the requirement of the driving test, The Road Transport Ministry clarified that the power to issue driving licence will remain with the licensing authority.
