Starting next year, Delhiites can take a driving licence test 7 days a week
The transport department has floated a tender to outsource the operation and maintenance of all automated driving test tracks
In a massive service upgrade, the Delhi State Transport Department is all set to roll out a plan that is aimed at considerably easing the process of obtaining a driving licence. Once introduced, those applying for a permanent driving licence in Delhi will be able to take the driving test on any day of the week between 8am and 8pm across five of the busiest regional transport offices (RTOs).
Transport minister Kailash Gahlot plans to start 12-hour shifts on all days of the week from the automated driving test tracks currently functional at Sarai Kale Khan, Loni Road, Shakur Basti, Rohini and Janakpuri.
The department has floated a tender to outsource the operation and maintenance of all automated driving test tracks (ADTTs).
The ambitious plan will see less human intervention and more technology in the form of an electronic queue management system.
Gahlot told the Hindustan Times that the idea is to offer a comfortable experience to applicants who visit RTOs to give driving tests for a permanent driving licence. He said that the experience will be similar to that of visa application centres for the UK and Japan.
At present, the entire driving test system is manned by government officials, which leads to a lag in service delivery due to high demand and scarce manpower. Outsourcing the job will help solve these and simultaneously ensure that the quality of the service offered to customers is premium.
Post the successful completion of the tracks that are currently under construction at Lado Sarai, Hari Nagar and Jharoda Kalan the number of automated driving test tracks will go up to 12.
In addition to these, these centres will be equipped with electronic queue management systems to facilitate applicants to take their turns on the tracks and reduce overcrowding.
A private entity is expected to be hired for printing and dispatching DLs and registration certificates.
Less manual, more technological
The slot booking option will be available online. Upon successful booking and reaching the testing centre, executives will help applicants in processes like document verification and taking to them to test track etc. A test engineer will be present to make sure the tests are taken by automated software and then the results will be sent across the respective RTO where they will be scrutinised by a motor licensing officer and licences will be issued to successful candidates.
The entire centre will be under the surveillance of CCTV cameras, whose live feed will be monitored by the headquarters of the transport department.