The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways recently rolled out new regulations regarding the process of obtaining a driving license in India, with the changes coming into effect from June 1, 2024. One notable alteration is the provision allowing individuals to undergo their driving tests at private driving schools, instead of solely relying on government Regional Transport Offices (RTOs). These private driving schools have been granted authority to conduct driving tests and issue the necessary certificates essential for acquiring a driving license.Clarification on ADTC and Driving SchoolsContrary to some media reports, the Centre clarified that there would be no immediate alterations to the existing rules starting from June 1. Earlier speculations suggested that applicants might bypass the traditional driving test at the Regional Transport Office (RTO) by opting for accredited private driving schools.The Ministry addressed this by stating that specific rules, denoted as rules 31B to 31J, which pertain to Accredited Driver Training Centres (ADTC), were inserted in the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR) in June 2021, effective from July 1, 2021. Consequently, no amendments are anticipated as of June 1, 2024.Details on Accreditation and LicensingRegarding ADTC accreditation, the Ministry highlighted that the State Transport Authority or any designated agency, as per the Central Governments notification based on recommendations from relevant testing agencies, could grant accreditation. Successful completion of the course at ADTC, evidenced by Form 5B, exempts the certificate holder from the driving test requirement under certain CMVR rules.Furthermore, reports suggested that applicants who pass tests at private driving schools would obtain certificates enabling them to apply for a driving license directly at the RTO without undergoing additional testing. However, the Ministry clarified that while various driving schools issue certificates upon course completion under different CMVR rules, these certificates do not exempt holders from the mandatory driving test stipulated in CMVR sub-rules.Authority and Licensing ProceduresDespite exemptions from driving tests, the Ministry emphasized that the authority to issue driving licenses remains with the licensing authority. This underscores the regulatory framework established under Section 12 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, governing the licensing and oversight of establishments offering driving instruction services.
