Sensor-based driving test for licence on anvil: Guj Minister

Gujarat Transport Minister Vijay Rupani today said that procuring a driving licence in the state is set to become more difficult as there is a proposal to introduce a sensor-based automated driving test in all the major cities and RTOs.
"Getting a driving licence is set to become more difficult in the coming days as the state Transport Department has decided to introduce a sensor-based automated driving test in all the major cities and district Regional Transport Offices (RTOs) in the state," Rupani said.
He was speaking after inaugurating an RTO office built at a cost of Rs 10 crore at Darjipura on the outskirts of the city late last evening.

"The new system will help in quality practical test for the drivers as tracks will be fitted with sensors. If a driver comes close to the tracks or hits the sensor, it will lead to negative marking," he said.
The tracks (two for two-wheelers and one for four-wheelers) will have more than a hundred censor-embedded near curves and speed-breakers.
"The result will be given immediately after the test. If a person does not score 70 per cent in the practical test, licence will not be given," he said.

The sensors are to be fitted to tracks in Ahmedabad, Surat, Rajkot, Vadodara and other major RTOs where the number of applicants is high.

This will be made mandatory for all the offices, Rupani said, adding that "automated test will reduce human interference and ensure that no wrong driver gets through the practical test without actually performing on the minimum test standards. It will reduce the chances of malpractice."
The minister also said there was a plan to undertake a survey on the parking needs in eight major cities in Gujarat -- Gandhinagar, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Surat, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar and Junagadh.