Strict rules but still no problems; driving tests running smooth as government withdraws its stubbornness

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Conducting driving tests in the state has become smoother as the Department of Motor Vehicles has withdrawn its stubbornness in implementing the new norms.

80 tests are conducted daily under the supervision of two batches of officials where there are more applicants and 40 tests are conducted per day where applicants are less. Officials do not compromise on the test and only those who drive well on the road and in the test field will pass. The pass rate in the test is 60% to 70%.

The department changed its stance when the organizations of driving schools went on strike and CITU, along with others, came out against Minister Ganesh Kumar. Tests are being held from June 27 as per the assurance given to the organizations.

Changes implemented

1. The requirement that the instructors themselves should bring the learners to the test ground for the driving test has been withdrawn. Instead, it was stipulated that the instructors should be present at the driving school.
2. If the number of applicants is more than 3000 then the test will be conducted after allowing one more unit will be from the enforcement department. There was only one unit earlier.
3. The age limit of training vehicles has been increased to 22 years. The first order was to make it 15 years.

Special test for driving school employees

Considering the shortage of certified qualified instructors, it was decided to conduct a special test and give certificates to the employees of driving schools with more than five years of training experience and to consider them as instructors, but the training of the new batch has not started. The fee for such training was increased from Rs 3,000 to Rs 37,500 three months ago. Minister Ganesh Kumar had assured the organizations that this would be brought below Rs 10,000.