Attn motorists: No need to visit RTO for license from June 1; accredited schools can now take driving test

Hyderabad: For a change, people can now take the driving test at accredited private driving schools.

Under new rules, a certificate of successful completion of the test at approved institutions can be considered for awarding licenses. The people need to undergo additional testing at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) for license from June 1.

Simplified application process:

The process of obtaining a driver's license has not significantly altered. However, the documentation has been simplified.

Revised Fee Structure:

Ministry of Road and Highways has also announced a revised fee structure for various types of licenses, effective June 1, 2024.

License Fee:

Learner’s license- Rs 200

Learner’s license renewal-Rs 200

International licence-Rs 1,000

Permanent licence-Rs 200

Permanent licence renewal-Rs 200

Issue of a renewed driver’s licence-Rs 200

Penalties play a major role:

With the increase in road accidents especially by minors, driving without a valid license now carries harsher penalties under the new regulations, with fines of up to Rs 2,000.

One major example is the Pune Porsche Accident case where a minor who was in a drunken state hit a woman.

Penalties for minors detected driving are harsher and include a fine of Rs 25,000, possible legal action against the parents, and the deletion of the vehicle's registration certificate.

To lessen vehicle pollution and encourage the use of electric vehicles (EVs), the Ministry is putting eco-friendly initiatives into action. To address environmental problems more broadly, this involves increasing emission regulations for other cars and retiring 9,000 old government vehicles.