Basic facilities not provided; driving test reform to fail

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Although the driving test, including reverse parking and gradient tests, has been ordered to be tightened since May, the infrastructure has not been put in place. No funds have been allotted for site preparation anywhere. Driving test reform will not take place due to a lack of infrastructure. Only the decision to reduce the number of tests will be implemented. Only 20 fresh applicants and 10 failed candidates will appear for the test per day from May onwards.

Not even the eight automated testing tracks that the department has are fully equipped. According to the minister's instructions, the officials had prepared a plan to prepare places for tests within the limits of 77 offices. The amount was not released even after waiting for a month and a half. It was during this time that the driving test including reverse parking and gradient test was ordered to be tightened from May.

Driving school instructors complain that there is a suggestion to fail a maximum number of students in the current test. As the number is reduced, the wait for the license will be longer.

Test for officials who have done hundred tests

A driving test will be conducted today at the driver testing centre in Muttatha, Thiruvananthapuram with 15 officials who have conducted more than 100 driving tests a day. This is as per the instructions of the minister. Driving tests will be conducted by them and they will be monitored by the superior officers. It is being checked whether 100 driving tests can be conducted within the specified time by following the instructions of the Transport Commissioner.

"They are failing as many people as possible in the road tests now."

- MS Prasad,

All Kerala Motor Driving School Instructors & Workers Association