MVD to introduce new 'test' for driving test candidates

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Motor vehicle department officials are all set to introduce a new ‘test’ for candidates appearing for driving license tests. The officials will now start to check the eyesight of candidates appearing for driving tests. The decision was taken after receiving a strong order from Minister Ganesh Kumar after it was found that most of the eye checkup certificates produced by the applicants were fake.

During the test, candidates will be asked to read, including road signs, from a certain distance. If it is felt that the vision is low, the eye examination will be done again. Eye examination machines will be purchased for this purpose. The Department of Motor Vehicles has also decided to file a complaint against the doctor if it is found that the certificate produced is fake.

The minister's office had also received a complaint about RT agents and middlemen having the seal and documents of some ophthalmologists. In some districts, it is rumoured that some ophthalmologists had approved more than 100 fake certificates for candidates appearing for the test. The doctors themselves had approached the Motor Vehicle Department demanding action against such people.

An eye test certificate is mandatory while applying for a new driving license and renewing the existing one as per the central law. Doctors have to submit the certificate in the form provided while applying for a license online. At present, eye certificates are uploaded by applicants or intermediaries.